McLaren Automotive, the luxury supercar manufacturer, today announces the McLaren Trophy, a new racing championship designed to challenge and develop Pro-Am driver pairings within a sociable environment at some of Europe’s best racing circuits alongside Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS events when the series makes its debut in 2023.
McLaren Automotive is firmly established as a front-running force in GT racing, with the 720S GT3 and 570S GT4 – the latter soon to be replaced by the new Artura GT4. The Artura will be central to this new one-make supercar championship for aspiring and established professional and amateur GT pairings.
At the heart of the McLaren Trophy is the all-new Artura Trophy race car. It is based on the Artura GT4 but freed from Balance of Power (BoP) regulations. This provides the benefit of enhanced power and downforce levels to increase engagement and reduce lap times to a level closer to GT3 machinery.
The Artura Trophy also shares much with the highly acclaimed McLaren Artura road car, including the McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) which makes it incredibly rigid and safe. Allied to the all-new 120-degree twin turbo V6 engine – freed from BoP regulations to its full 585PS in the Artura Trophy - it is sensationally fast in a straight line. With all BoP weight also removed and an enhanced aerodynamic package - which includes a high-downforce wing – it is supremely agile in both low and high-speed corners. An enhanced exhaust system means that it will sound just as spectacular as it looks.
The new championship will join the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS bill and will be branded McLaren Trophy, Europe, placing the competitors in front of GT teams, drivers and fans and making it an ideal destination for McLaren owners and supporters. Races will also be streamed live in professional broadcast quality.
Race weekends will begin with two 60-minute practice sessions on the opening day to give the drivers the best opportunity to prepare for the two races ahead. Each race day will follow the same format, with a 15-minute pre-qualifying session, 15 minutes’ qualifying, followed by a 50-minute race with mandatory pit stops for driver changes. For Pro-Am pairings, the Am driver must qualify the car and start the races, putting them at the centre of the action.
Both the Artura Trophy and 570S Trophy cars will benefit from high-performance tyres supplied by championship partner Pirelli, using its extensive experience in both Formula 1 and GT racing.
The inaugural McLaren Trophy season will feature five races at iconic Grand Prix circuits including Paul Ricard, Hockenheim and Barcelona, with a round on the bill of the famous Spa 24 Hour race.
2023 McLaren Trophy, Europe calendar
June 2-4 Circuit Paul Ricard
July 1-2 Misano
July 27-30 Spa-Francorchamps
September 1-3 Hockenheim
September 29 – October 1 Barcelona