McLaren GT3 Junior Driver to Make Bathurst 12 Hour Debut
Bathurst, Australia — Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer is set to make his highly anticipated debut for McLaren this weekend at the Bathurst 12 Hour. Joining the Volante Rosso Motorsport team, the 25-year-old Frenchman will drive the #15 McLaren GT3 Evo, competing in the Silver Cup category alongside Marcos Flack, Rylan Gray, and Bayley Hall.
This quartet boasts an impressive average age of just 21, marking them as the youngest team in the event. Despite being new to McLaren, Simmenauer arrives with significant GT3 experience, including two seasons with Team WRT in the GT World Challenge Europe.
“I’m very excited,” said Simmenauer. “It’s my first time in Bathurst and in a McLaren GT3 car. I’ve watched Bathurst races for many years; it’s iconic. The track is like a mix between the Nordschleife and Monaco—very fast, risky, and narrow in places.”
Simmenauer expressed his enthusiasm for the McLaren GT3, noting its unique carbon chassis and powerful engine. “McLaren aims to compete with the big brands like Porsche and Audi, and I’m thrilled to be part of this journey,” he added.
The 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour will take place from February 13 to 15, 2026.
