LMGT3 ‘Pro-Am’ setup creates ‘incredibly level playing field’ says British GT runner-up Cottingham

British GT championship runner-up James Cottingham complemented the ‘Pro-Am’ driver lineup arrangement with the FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMGT3 category to create a balanced playing field.

Speaking in a pre-season media call attended by Motorsport Week, the United Autosports driver and WEC debutant said: “I think it’s a very good way to encompass every single driver in the team.

“And I think me – as someone that’s watched [the] World Endurance Championship my whole life – I think it’s great that it’s reduced to one class now so that we don’t have like we used to have GTE Pro, GTE Am.

“I think every single car being effectively a Pro-Am car creates this incredibly level playing field that kind of matches the theory behind balanced performance with your driver pairings.

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“So I think it’s a really good thing and I think it’s a really good way to sort of lead on – the strengths of every single driver in the team and therefore everybody’s input into the race weekend is equally as important and there won’t be any way of glossing over any lack of ability or tongue with the weakest driver in the team.”

Each driver lineup in the LMGT3 category will consist of an FIA-rated Bronze driver, along with a Silver and a Gold or Platinum, which will represent different levels of experience and talent.

Cottingham has competed in the last three seasons of British GT, finishing 2nd in the drivers’ championship at 1.5 points in-front of teammate Jonny Adam, who is most renowned for his appearances as an Aston Martin GT factory driver with two class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The pair competed in the Pro-Am class of 23 entries, with three more Silver Cup cars to comprise a GT3 class of 26.

Whilst the WEC does not boast such numbers for its new LMGT3 era, there will be a significantly higher yet equal representation of nine manufacturers, of which Cottingham will represent McLaren and United Autosports.

For his maiden WEC season, commencing at the 1812 km Qatar on 2 March, he will join teammates Gregoire Saucy and Porsche Carrera Cup Champion Nicolas Costa in the #59 720S GT3 Evo.