New McLaren 720S GT3 to run in Japan

The latest GT3 challenger from McLaren Automotive will run under the banner of McLaren Customer Racing Japan, with two single-car entries confirmed for the Super GT300 and Super Taikyu championships. The team has also confirmed that both cars will contest round four of the 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge the Suzuka 10 Hours.  

Team Principal, Kazumichi Goh, is no stranger to racing with McLaren and this latest announcement sees the legendary name reunited with the British brand.

Debuting the McLaren F1 GTR in the All-Japan Grand Touring Championship (JGTC) for the 1996 season, Team Goh secured the title in dominant fashion, and then raced with the McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail' at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1997. From here, the team went on to enjoy further success at the famous French endurance event, taking overall honours in 2004.

Under the team name of McLaren Customer Racing Japan, the alliance will run a pair of McLaren 720S GT3 racers.  Goh-san will be joined by long-serving McLaren associate, Minoru Yasukawa, as well as former members from the 1996 JGTC championship-winning team and the 24 Hours of Le Mans campaign in 2004.

Both cars will wear a modern interpretation of the now-iconic neon pink and graphite livery first seen on the McLaren F1 GTR in 1996. One entry is confirmed for a full campaign in the Super GT300 championship, while the second will run in the Super Taikyu series. The team has also secured a two-car entry at the Suzuka 10 Hours, which forms round four of this season's Intercontinental GT Challenge.

The Super GT300 driver lineup will see one of its 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning drivers, Seiji Ara, returning to the cockpit, alongside 21-year old Spanish driver Alex Palou. The Super Taikyu driver lineup will see Palou team up with the Japanese pairing of Sena Sakaguchi and Takayuki Kinoshita.