Garage 59 Prepares for FIA World Endurance Championship Debut in 2026
As United Autosports gears up for its Hypercar debut in 2027, Garage 59 is set to represent McLaren in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) LMGT3 category, taking over from United while it focuses on developing the LMDh contender.
Founded in 2016, Garage 59 quickly established itself by clinching the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup drivers’ title with a McLaren 650S GT3. Their track record includes multiple titles in the European championship and a notable class victory at the 2023 24 Hours of Spa. The team has expanded into several series, including the Asian Le Mans Series and making its debut at Le Mans in 2022 under the “Inception Racing” banner.
In the GT World Challenge Europe, Garage 59’s McLaren GT3 Evos dominated qualifying, achieving 10 pole positions, including the overall pole at the 24 Hours of Spa, driven by Marvin Kirchhöfer.
Looking ahead, Garage 59’s fleet will grow to seven McLarens for their next season in GT World Challenge Europe, but attention now shifts to adjusting to the demands of the WEC. Managing Director Andrew Kirkaldy acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly regarding the financial scale of a two-car WEC effort, which can exceed €10 million. “It’s a big step, both financially and in terms of expectations,” he stated, emphasizing the high standards associated with competing at Le Mans.
The team is also transitioning to a larger facility, which Kirkaldy noted as a logistical challenge alongside their WEC preparations. “We’ve got a lot going on, and the timing is a bit forced,” he said.
At the recent 8 Hours of Bahrain, part of their groundwork for 2026, Garage 59 personnel gained insights by working alongside United Autosports. Kirkaldy praised this collaboration, highlighting the open exchange of expertise.
Garage 59 is yet to finalize its driver lineup for the upcoming season, although co-owner Alexander West has signaled interest in returning to the driver’s seat. “I think there’s a good chance he will be,” Kirkaldy projected regarding West’s potential participation in the WEC.
The team’s FIA WEC debut is scheduled for March 26-28, 2026, at the Qatar 182KM, marking an important milestone in their competitive journey.
