Garage 59 has named its driver line-up for the 2022 season, which will see the team return to McLaren machinery following a three-year stint with Aston Martin.
Durings its previous partnership with the brand, Garage 59 clinched the overall Endurance Cup title in 2016 thanks to wins at Monza and Circuit Paul Ricard. In recent years it has focussed on the Pro-Am and Silver Cup classes and, following a change of manufacturer, will once again launch full-season assaults on both in 2022.
In the Pro-Am car, reigning class champion Miguel Ramos makes the switch from Barwell Motorsport to run the full campaign. The Portuguese will be joined at Endurance Cup events by fellow countryman Henrique Chaves and Swedish racer Alexander West, the latter a mainstay of the Garage 59 line-up since 2017.
Ramos will also look to defend his class title in the Sprint Cup, where he will be joined by youngster Dean MacDonald. A highly decorated kart racer, MacDonald steps up from GT4 machinery having competed in both British GT and the GT4 European Series during recent seasons.
The Silver Cup car will see Manuel Maldonado join for the full schedule. The cousin of former F1 racer Pastor Maldonado, the young Venuzuelan enters his second sportscar campaign after graduating from single-seaters. The returning Nicolai Kjærgaard will join him for Endurance events, while a second full-season driver will be announced shortly.
“I think we have an exciting year ahead with the McLarens and a strong line-up of drivers," said team principal Andrew Kirkaldy. "It’s good to have the current Pro-Am champions teaming up with Alex, who won it the year before. I’m pleased to have continuation in the Silver Cup class with Nicolai and once that line-up is finalised we will be looking good. All in all, I think we’re looking at a strong season ahead.”
Garage 59 was forced to skip the recent Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS test days due to its freight being delayed on return from the Asian Le Mans Series, but the teams plans to be on-track next week to prepare for the season opener at Imola on 1-3 April.