United Autosports Set to Move into Larger HQ for Hypercar

Photo: JEP/United Autosports

United Autosports is plotting a move to a larger, new workshop amid its operation of McLaren’s FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar program.

The Anglo-American squad, which has been at its current 60,000 square-foot facility in Yorkshire since 2019, had initial plans to make renovations to its existing base to accommodate the Hypercar program.

However, according to CEO Richard Dean, that has proved to be too large of a task.

“We put our ‘wish list’ of every department that we reviewed, from the carbon fiber facility needs expanding, we needed dedicated spares, we needed more office space and meeting rooms,” Dean told Sportscar365.

“We’ve got about 30 people with a requirement to sit behind a desk with a PC.

“Every area needed expanding. And the current facility, which we moved in five to six years ago, I never thought we’d ever fill it, and we’ve filled it.

“What we’re looking at to re-develop our current building feels very much a compromise, so we’re actually looking to move again.”

Dean confirmed that the team will remain in Yorkshire, which is roughly 220 miles north of London and 150 miles from the so-called ‘Motorsport Valley’ of the UK near Silverstone.

The facility will also continue house United’s customer racing programs outside of its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship program, which is based in Mooresville, N.C.

“We’ve got two or three options and one of them is a new facility, which is the preferred route,” said Dean.

“It’s got its problems with it in that timeframe. But the word ‘compromised’ is right through every option.

“Redeveloping the current facility, getting a second unit, which on our industrial estate, we might have that opportunity but then you’re trying to figure out what the split is.

“A new building looks the right route but the timeframe for it is not ideal, so we’re pushing.”

While still some distance from the epicenter of UK motorsport, including’s McLaren’s Technology Centre in Woking, which will also play a crucial role in the Hypercar program, Dean said remaining in the North of England comes as a choice, but a benefit from a staffing perspective as well.

“We’re not in a traditional motorsport valley of the UK, which is the Silverstone area,” he said. “But in reality, we’re 150 miles away, so in American terms, it sounds like a trip to a grocery store!

“It’s not a long way away. We don’t have the pool of motorsport talent to pick from like the Silverstone area does.

“But equally, our retention is a lot better because there’s nobody else. So once we get people there, our attention is good.

“I don’t want to re-locate down to Silverstone. For me, it’s not a big deal; l’ve lived all over the place. But it would just be too disruptive that are with us now.”

While currently on a hiring spree amid the ramp-up of the Hypercar program, Dean said he expects the UK-based staff to increase to nearly 100 people by the end of the year, from its current 75-strong staff.

McLaren United AS “Hitting the Numbers and Dates” Ahead of Next Month’s Rollout

Dean said the timeline for the yet-to-be-named LMDh car is still on track for a rollout in May, “very close” to chassis constructor Dallara’s facility in Italy.

“We’re about four weeks away from rollout for it,” he said. “Everything’s on schedule for that. We’re having weekly updates with all of the partners in it.

“Inevitably on a brand new project like that, there’s a setback and everything gets caught back up again. So there’s nothing that’s been a setback that’s required us to move any of our dates by more than a day or two.

“We’re not looking at a month delay that’s been created by any issue. Everybody’s all reacted and responded.

“We’re keeping pace with the deliverable side of the car and engine and keeping that pace in terms of our recruitment, that’s been the hard bit.

“I don’t think it’s been so aggressive that we’ve felt it’s been a compromise anywhere.

“We’re all pretty happy that everything is hitting the numbers, the dates.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John