McLaren Motorsport Expands GT3 Junior Roster for 2026
Woking, UK — McLaren Motorsport has confirmed the addition of six new drivers to its GT3 Junior program for 2026, along with the return of Adam Smalley, a championship-winning driver in the UK. The new recruits are Alessio Deledda, Baptiste Moulin, Lorens Lecertua, Riccardo Cazzaniga, Alejandro Geppert, and McKenzy Cresswell. They will be integrated into McLaren’s Talent Pathway initiative in partnership with Elite Motorsport.
“This year is set to become one of the biggest yet for McLaren Motorsport,” said Giorgio Sanna, Head of Motorsport at McLaren Automotive. “We have remapped our strategy for driver development to ensure a robust pipeline of future McLaren factory drivers.”
Smalley, who achieved significant success in last season’s GT World Challenge as part of Garage 59, will continue to build on his experience, having won the British GT Silver Cup in 2024.
Lecertua, at 19, enters with notable credentials, including a Silver Cup class win in the GT World Challenge Europe. He will team with compatriot Moulin, who captured the 2022 Italian GT Championship.
Deledda brings DTM experience and will partake in both the Italian GT3 Endurance and McLaren Trophy Europe series. Cazzaniga shifts focus to the Italian GT3 Sprint series for 2026 after finishing as vice-champion in 2024.
Geppert, the 2025 McLaren Trophy Europe champion, steps up to GT3 Junior, marking a continuation of the successful progression from McLaren Trophy to GT racing. Additionally, Cresswell will focus on European GT4 while also participating in the Talent Pathway with Elite Motorsport alongside teammate Charlie Hart.
The program is supplemented by drivers Fred Green, Yani Stevenheydens, and Jacob Ashcroft, who will receive guidance from sporting director Rob Bell. Selected participants will also have the opportunity for further assessment at the McLaren Technology Centre, potentially leading to the factory driver program.
Summary of New Drivers:
- Alessio Deledda: DTM experience; dual campaign in Italian GT3 Endurance and McLaren Trophy Europe.
- Baptiste Moulin: 2022 Italian GT Champion.
- Lorens Lecertua: Silver Cup class winner, GT World Challenge Europe.
- Riccardo Cazzaniga: Competing in Italian GT3 Sprint; 2024 vice-champion.
- Alejandro Geppert: 2025 McLaren Trophy Europe champion.
- McKenzy Cresswell: Former European GT4 Series winner; returning for European GT4.
As McLaren expands its driver development initiatives, the focus remains on cultivating talent and fostering competition within the framework of its esteemed racing programs.
