McLaren Signs Gamble as Factory Driver

McLaren Automotive has signed European Le Mans Series race winner Tom Gamble to its factory driver lineup.

The 21-year-old Brit joins Rob Bell and Marvin Kirchhofer at the highest rung of McLaren’s official driver pool, which also includes two other tiers for junior drivers.

Gamble won the 2020 LMP3 title in ELMS with United Autosports before spending a pair of seasons with the same team in the top LMP2 class, winning two races overall.

He has also driven for Porsche squad GR Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship, as well as Aston Martin customer GT3 teams D’station Racing and The Heart of Racing.

Gamble made his debut in the McLaren 720S GT3 during the Asian Le Mans Series in February, when he replaced an unwell Kirchhofer for the Dubai races.

Kirchhofer is set for his second year as a McLaren factory driver, while Bell steps into a “more senior position” based on his work developing the manufacturer’s new Artura racing models.

Oliver Wilkinson held McLaren factory driver status last year but he was not mentioned in the manufacturer’s Monday announcement that named Gamble as part of the setup.

Beneath the factory driver pool sits the McLaren Junior Pro Driver title which will be held by Benjamin Goethe and Nicolai Kjaergaard in 2023.

Both drivers are teaming up with Kirchhofer in Garage 59’s Pro-class lineup for Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup.

Additionally, 18-year-old Aston Millar will enter the role of McLaren Academy Driver after graduating from Ginetta single-make racing.

“I’m delighted to welcome Tom, Benjamin, Nicolai and Aston to the McLaren family,” said McLaren Automotive motorsport director Ian Morgan.

“Tom has proven to be a formidable sportscar and GT racer and will fit in well with Rob and Marvin in our factory driver lineup.

“Marvin has settled in well with a strong 2022 season and I’m pleased that we were able to retain him again for 2023. Rob’s tenacity and experience has been invaluable in developing the new Artura GT4 and Artura Trophy race cars, which we have recognized by asking him to take on a more senior position within our factory driver team this year.

“Benjamin, Nicolai and Aston are exciting future prospects and we are really looking forward to seeing how they progress through 2023.”