McLaren Automotive closed out its inaugural season in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with a front row lockout in Bahrain and once again demonstrating race-winning pace.
The final round of the 2024 WEC season at the Bahrain International Circuit yielded a dominant performance for the United Autosport McLaren GT3 EVO cars. The #95 car of Josh Caygill set a time of 1:02.201 in the Hyperpole qualifying session to secure McLaren’s second pole position of the season. The sister #59 car of James Cottingham lapped just 0.002 seconds behind, making history as the first manufacturer to lock out the front row grid slots in the LMGT3 class.
The two black and papaya GT3 EVOs led the field for the first forty minutes of the eight-hour race running nose to tail before James made a successful move for the lead in the #95 car.
The field then shuffled around as the pit stop strategies played out around several Full Course Yellows and a Safety Car period in the second half of the race, setting up a thrilling final hour of racing. Seven cars battled for the lead, including the #59 car, before the last pit stops were made.
Gregoire Saucy took over #59 with fresh tyres and set about catching his rivals. Despite gaining a place as he closed on the leaders, he had to settle for a fighting sixth at the flag. Teammate Marino Sato meanwhile put in a superb drive from nearly a lap down to gain five places and finish eighth to round out a strong first year in the championship for McLaren.
Having demonstrated the speed and reliability of the McLaren GT3 EVO in the most gruelling endurance challenge in motorsport, the United Autosport cars finished in the top ten in both Drivers’ and Teams’ standings.
