Pro-Am Champions Ramos, Chaves Join Garage 59

Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Pro-Am champions Miguel Ramos and Henrique Chaves have been named as members of Garage 59’s driver lineup for the team’s two-car McLaren entry in 2022.

The Portuguese pair have joined the British squad after securing Sprint Cup and combined class titles last year with Lamborghini outfit Barwell Motorsport.

This year marks Garage 59’s return to McLaren machinery after a three-season absence, while Chaves and Ramos are also returning to the Woking-based manufacturer after winning the 2020 International GT Open title with Teo Martin Motorsport.

Ramos and Chaves will team up with Garage 59 regular Alexander West for the Endurance Cup season, driving the No. 188 McLaren 720s GT3 in Pro-Am.

However, only Ramos is confirmed to pursue a defense of the Sprint Cup Pro-Am title, with Dean MacDonald named as his pro co-driver in the No. 188 car.

Garage 59’s No. 159 McLaren will compete in the Silver Cup class with Manuel Maldonado and Nicolai Kjaergaard on board for the Endurance Cup campaign, along with an unannounced third driver.

GTWC Europe debutant Maldonado, who drove for United Autosports in LMP2 last year, is so far the only confirmed member of the No. 159 crew in Sprint Cup.

“I think we have an exciting year ahead with the McLarens and a strong line-up of drivers,” said Garage 59 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 lineup is finalized we will be looking good. All in all, I think we’re looking at a strong season ahead.”

Garage 59 switched from Aston Martin to McLaren machinery during the winter break and debuted its new 720S GT3s in the Asian Le Mans Series last month.

Freight delays on the return to Europe from that competition resulted in the team missing the official GTWC Europe pre-season test at Paul Ricard this week, however it plans to make up ground with upcoming test sessions at Zandvoort and Hockenheim. 

Garage 59 won the 2016 Endurance Cup teams’ title with McLaren before moving to the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 for the 2019 season.

It joined the Sprint Cup grid last year with its Aston stable and fielded full-time Silver and Pro-Am entries across the full GTWC Europe board, as well as a one-off Pro effort at the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa that yielded an overall podium.

Correction: This story was updated at 12:44 ET to confirm that Miguel Ramos, not Henrique Chaves, will be driving the No. 188 McLaren in Sprint Cup alongside his Silver-rated co-driver Dean MacDonald.