In a noteworthy shift within the world of endurance racing, Sean Gelael and Darren Leung, both seasoned contenders in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), will be trading their BMW rides for McLaren as they embark on their second LMGT3 campaign together in 2025. After securing a victory at the Imola round of the WEC in April with WRT racing in the BMW M4 GT3, this dynamic duo is set to take on new challenges aboard the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo under the United Autosports banner. This transition marks a significant change, especially for Gelael, who has spent the last three seasons with WRT, primarily in LMP2 before the class was removed from the full WEC schedule.
In the new lineup of the #95 United McLaren, Gelael will be joined by bronze-rated Leung and gold-rated Marino Sato, who will be making his return. The excitement surrounding Gelael, a former Formula 2 driver, is palpable. At 28 years old, he expresses enthusiasm about teaming up with Sato for the first time while reconnecting with Leung, citing their past collaborative successes in 2024. Gelael’s optimism is evident as he expresses his ambition to secure the championship after narrowly missing victory in previous years.
Leung, a 37-year-old British racer, enters his second WEC campaign albeit early in his career. Having clinched the British GT Championship title in 2023, he reflects on the powerful commitment from both United Autosports and McLaren to the WEC, labeling it as “truly inspiring.” Further enriching his perspective is the fact that he races with a Yorkshire-based team, a detail that adds personal significance to his participation.
This forthcoming season will demand adaptability from both Gelael and Leung as they transition from BMW’s engineering to McLaren’s design and strategy. At the official WEC rookie test in Bahrain in November, Leung had the opportunity to familiarize himself with the McLaren, which should ease any concerns about the transition. The team dynamics, particularly with both drivers complementing each other’s skills, foster high expectations for competitive performance in the world-class circuits they will encounter.
As the countdown to the season opener begins, there is palpable anticipation regarding the performance of the newly formed trio. While United Autosports has confirmed Gelael and Leung’s partnership, the identity of their teammates in the sister #59 car remains under wraps. This element of mystery could prove crucial as the team builds its strategy heading into the challenging 2025 WEC season.
The alliance of Gelael and Leung with McLaren signals an exciting chapter in the realm of endurance racing. As they prepare to face off against their competitors, their shared history and newfound team connections will likely play a pivotal role in their success. Racing is as much about the driver’s adaptability as it is about machinery, and as they embark on this journey, their enthusiasm and determination create a promising narrative for the upcoming WEC season.
Leave a Reply