McLaren Makes a Historic Comeback: Unveiling the 720S GT3 Evo at 24 Hours of Le Mans
In 1995, motorsport history was made when the McLaren F1 GTR clinched outright victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, surpassing faster sports prototypes and cementing its legacy. McLaren's triumph didn't stop there, as the F1 GTR continued to make headlines over the next three years, securing a second-place overall finish and a win in the GT1 class by 1997.
Fast forward 26 years, and McLaren is making a triumphant return to the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe, this time armed with the 720S GT3 Evo. This 21st-century race car is intricately linked with the road-going 720S and 750S supercars, sharing crucial components like the lightweight carbon-fiber tub and the robust twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine.
A Race-Ready Transformation
The V-8 engine in the 720S GT3 Evo isn't a straightforward carryover from its road-legal siblings. Modifications for the race include performance-altering restrictors to comply with Balance of Performance (BoP) regulations. Instead of the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic found in the road cars, this racing beast comes equipped with a 6-speed sequential transmission. Coupled with adjustments to aerodynamics and suspension tailored for racing, these changes have created a machine ready to tackle the endurance challenges of Le Mans.
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Teams and Contenders
This weekend, three awe-inspiring examples of the 720S GT3 Evo will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans' LMGT3 class, a category specifically designed for vehicles derived from production models. United Autosports will field two of these cars as part of their full-season effort in the 2024 World Endurance Championship, with the third car being run by Inception Racing.
A roster of talented drivers has been confirmed to tackle this high-stakes race. James Cottingham, Nicolas Costa, and Grégoire Saucy will be piloting the number 59 car, which notably shares its racing number with the victorious F1 GTR from 1995. Meanwhile, Hiroshi Hamaguchi, Marino Sato, and Nicolas Pino will drive the number 95 car, and the trio of Brendan Iribe, Ollie Millroy, and Frederik Schandorff will command the number 70 car.
Fierce Competition
The competition will be fierce, with McLaren's 720S GT3 Evo going head-to-head with equally formidable race cars based on the Aston Martin Vantage, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Ferrari 296 GTB, Ford Mustang, Lamborghini Huracán, Lexus RC F, and Porsche 911. It's a showdown that promises to be nothing short of spectacular, as some of the world's most advanced and powerful machines battle it out on one of motorsport's most iconic stages.
This year’s return to Le Mans not only symbolizes McLaren’s rich racing heritage but also showcases its relentless pursuit of engineering excellence and competitive spirit. Whether you’re a die-hard McLaren fan or a casual motorsport enthusiast, the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans is shaping up to be a remarkable event, filled with high-speed drama, mechanical prowess, and the unyielding quest for victory.