United Autosports has announced James Cottingham to join them for the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship in their #59 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo.
The 2023 British GT vice-champion and Bronze driver will team up with Gregoire Saucy, and another driver who will be announced in due course.
The 40-year-old began GT racing in 2021, and claimed three race wins and two further podium finishes last year, en route to becoming vice-champion.
Cottingham said: “I’m super excited to be working with McLaren Automotive, an iconic British manufacturer, and United Autosports, one of the highest achieving teams at Le Mans in recent years.
“It has been a dream of mine since I was a boy to race at Le Mans and compete in a World
Championship and after only two and a half years of racing in modern motorsport, I didn’t think I would get this opportunity.”
“With everything I’ve done over the last two years including British GT, the Gulf 12 Hours, Spa 24 Hours and Dubai 24 Hours, I’m ready for this new challenge.
“I really enjoy driving the McLaren and am totally dedicated to the FIA World Endurance Championship this year.”
“James is another strong addition to our 2024 WEC line up,” added Richard Dean, United Autosports CEO.
“He has captured attention with his achievements in British GT – a familiar series for United Autosports – and now we are looking forward to his WEC debut in the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo.
“The whole team is working incredibly hard to make our first race in Qatar a success.
“We are really looking forward to it.”
The Yorkshire-based team will debut into the new LMGT3 category utilising McLaren machinery, a new venture on top of their outstanding experience in LMP2 and LMP3 competition.
They will represent the McLaren brand with two entrants, the #59 and the #95, the latter of which has Marino Sato confirmed so far.
The FIA WEC season will commence in Qatar, with the pre-season Prologue test on 24-25 February, followed by the 1812 km season-opener on 2 March.
