Darren Leung, Sean Gelael and Marino Sato celebrate McLaren
This weekend, United Autosports and McLaren Automotive celebrated their first LMGT3 race win in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Darren Leung, Sean Gelael, Marino Sato and the #95 crew storming to victory in a drenched edition of the Lone Star Le Mans – initially crossing the line in P2, before being promoted to the top step of the podium. The sister #59 of James Cottingham, Sebastien Baud and Gregoire Saucy followed in P4 - just one step off the podium - wrapping up a strong weekend for the papaya crew.
Darren Leung, Sean Gelael and Marino Sato celebrate McLaren
#95 mclaren gt3 evo
quali p3 | race p1 | champ P11
On Sunday afternoon, the Lone Star Le Mans started under Safety Car owing to the treacherous on-track conditions. The #95 crew strategically took track position while others took the opportunity to pit, with Darren Leung moving up from P3 to P1 in the first hour. Leung wrapped up his drive time in first place, handing over to Sean Gelael who delivered an epic double stint as the rain continued.
With two hours left on the clock, it was over to 2024 WEC Sao Paulo podium placer Marino Sato who started on wets but – with the track drying rapidly – changed to slicks in the final 30 minutes amidst a majority field of worn wets. Fresh rubber warmed, Sato went on the charge from P6, gaining five seconds per lap on the wet tyre cars ahead, pulling off masterful overtakes – including a double at T17/18 - and taking a hard-fought second place at the finish.
Moments later, Leung, Gelael, Sato and the #95 McLaren crew were promoted to first place – as a result of a five second time penalty served post-race by the leading #54 AF Corse Ferrari - securing the team’s first LMGT3 win in the FIA World Endurance Championship and sealing the team’s place in the WEC history books.
Darren Leung: “Pretty crazy one. It’s been great to finally get a result for the team, it’s been a long time coming for the team not just this year, but also last. In racing, it’s a lot of swings and roundabouts. We’ve had more than our fair share of the bad luck so to finally experience a bit of good fortune on top of executing a clean race is a relief. Both for the team and for myself because I’ve had a run that I never thought I would have, the sort of luck I never thought I would get, but I’ve just had to keep plugging away and stay focussed on task and shut everything off that I can and hope it comes good, and today it did.”
Sean Gelael: “There’s a quote in the Quran, it says ‘and be patient for what falls upon you’ and I always believe that God is always on time. Even with the struggles we have had this year, everyone in this team has never once doubted that a result like this can happen. We have been continuously working hard despite everything that’s happened to us. Like I said, God is always on time – and he is today.”
Marino Sato: “Very happy with the result. As the last driver in the car, I wanted to win on track. The Ferrari had the greater pace in the beginning of the last stint, I was closing in a lot in the later stage but I was a bit unlucky with the Hypercar traffic when I had momentum so we were maybe one or two laps short for actually winning on track. Very happy to get a win finally for the team. I have been with United Autosports and McLaren Automotive for two seasons … we’ve had a lot of ups and downs and to finally showcase it and bring home the first LMGT3 win in the World Endurance Championship … it’s a great feeling. And now I think I’m carrying good momentum into my home race in Japan, so I’m very much looking forward to that.”
#59 mclaren gt3 evo
quali p6 | race p4 | champ P9
James Cottingham kicked off proceedings in the #59 McLaren, starting from P6 on the grid. Cottingham spent the majority of his time under Safety Car but, when green flag racing did ensue, the Brit seized his opportunity - firing up his tyres in tricky conditions and claiming positions. Taking over at the two hour 20 minute mark, Sebastien Baud had a stellar first stint in the worst conditions of the day, making several overtakes – including the sister #95 McLaren – and establishing the #59 McLaren’s place in the top three.
Over to Gregoire Saucy for the final push – first with the challenge of worn wet tyres, and then fresh slicks. The Swiss driver initially lost places to the hunting BMW which came alive in the drying condition but with the McLaren’s tyres in the window, Saucy was flying, setting the fastest LMGT3 lap of the race on lap 114 of 115 and securing P4 at the finish with the podium just 3.7 seconds out of reach.
James Cottingham: “Solid performance from the team. Both cars were in contention for a podium throughout the race. Tricky conditions and high-risk strategy meant it wasn’t our day to be on the podium but P4 is close enough! And a huge congratulations to the sister car for their very deserved win after a faultless drive and smart strategy.”
Sebastien Baud: “We finished P4. Did a really good job for the whole team because the sister car finished P1 so it’s a very nice result for all the team. It was a very tricky race, a lot of rain, too much water on track and it is very difficult to manage overtaking and Hypercar traffic. During my stint, I did a good job and had a fun battle with Sean. At the end of the race, we switched to slick tyres which was a good strategy. The BMW was also very fast in these track conditions but it was difficult to take the battle with this car. Good race, very happy for the team and now we stay focussed on Fuji. I want to get the podium for both cars! I’m very happy with my teammate James who did a very good job and was very fast in these conditions. Very big congratulations to Darren, Sean, Marino and the United Autosports and McLaren Automotive team. See you in Fuji!”
Gregoire Saucy: “First of all, congratulations to the sister car for the win. That is also a good result for us! I wanted to go to the podium too with my two teammates. We were close but at the end it’s P4. So really good results for both cars at the end. It was quite tricky conditions with really wet weather at the start and then we put the slicks on for the last stint. It was really difficult at the start with low grip but we managed to come back P4 at the end with the fastest lap of the race. We were missing two or three laps to finish in the podium. But we showed strong pace all the race, my two teammates did a mega job too and now we need to look forward to a race win or at least a podium in Fuji.”
MANAGEMENT
Richard Dean, United Autosports CEO: “It was a true pleasure to see Darren, Sean and Marino on the top step of the podium. All the hard work has finally paid off. You can see how much it means to everyone. I am so proud of this team. The #59 crew did a fantastic job too, finishing P4. The momentum is good and I’m looking forward to an exciting rest of the season.”
Ian James, Director of Motorsport, McLaren Automotive: “It was an incredible end to an incredible race. Massive congratulations to Marino for a brilliant final stint, he kept in touch with the leaders and made the most of the slick tyres on a drying track to take the win. Darren and Sean also did a great job to get the car where it needed to be, and we can’t forget that the #59 also finished fourth for a really strong performance all round. To be on the top step of the podium a little under 24 months since we got our official entry is testament to all the hard work done by the team at Woking and United Autosports. We can all rightly feel proud of what we have achieved.
From Texas to Silverstone, this week the European Le Mans Series returns to the UK. Stay up to date with the team on social @unitedautosports as they take on the 4 Hours of Silverstone (September 12-14th).