Sato Hungry for Hypercar Shot Amid McLaren LMGT3 Success

Marino Sato says he is aiming for a step up to the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class in the wake of his recent success with the United Autosports McLaren LMGT3 team, including a first win last month.

The Japanese driver secured his first victory in the WEC in September’s Lone Star Le Mans race at the Circuit of The Americas in the No. 95 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo he shares with Darren Leung and Sean Gelael, and a first for the brand in LMGT3.

Sato’s breakthrough first WEC win comes amid a turbulent Hypercar driver market, and he hopes that it could lead an opportunity to make the step up to the top category, although he admitted 2027 is a more realistic target than next year.

“It was a great result not only for the team, but also personally as it was my first win in a world championship and my first since my first ELMS season,” Sato told Sportscar365.

“To see my name at the top of the results is great. It’s my third season in sportscars, so I still feel I am quite new to this world compared to single-seaters, so if this would help to garner any interest for future possibilities, it would be great for my career.

“I am definitely not the youngest any more, but I think I am in great shape in terms of performance and experience level, including three years in sports cars.

“Of course I would love a shot in a Hypercar, with any manufacturer.

“I’ve been doing this for two years now and to race in the top category in the WEC would be a dream. I hope there will be more opportunities now.”

Despite the fact McLaren is planning a Hypercar project of its own that will debut in 2027, with United set to run the team, Sato was keen to emphasize that he is casting his net wider than just seeking a chance with the British marque.

“A lot of people asked me have I already received a contract [from McLaren] but obviously not,” he said. “I understand the marketplace is big, there are a lot of good drivers out there and there are a lot of shuffles going on.

“Many current Hypercar drivers are moving seats, but I really hope I can be on the list.”

Sato transitioned to sportscar racing in 2023 after spending his career up to that point in single-seaters, climbing the ladder as high as FIA Formula 2 before joining United for its European Le Mans Series program in the LMP2 class.

The 26-year-old added he feels he has sharpened his skills as a sportscar driver, particularly when it comes to dealing with traffic, with his dual program having given him experience of negotiating slower cars as well as allowing faster ones through.

“Since last year I have been doing both sides of the traffic — I am the guy who is getting passed in WEC and I am the guy doing the passing in ELMS,” he said.

“I never had any trouble transition between the two, but as you do more races you always feel like you can improve the traffic management. I feel like I was pretty decent from the start, but it does also feel like I levelled up.

“From last year I already felt the car performance was strong, but we definitely have improved this year. Everyone saw the car was strong at Qatar. Since then we had some ups and downs, but Austin was a great example of how we improved as a team.”

Sato insisted the exact nature of his 2026 program remains “undecided”, with United exiting its role as McLaren’s service provider in LMGT3 for next year in favor of Garage 59, as announced earlier this week.

However, it is understood that Sato will at least continue with United in ELMS next year.