Jenson Rocket RJN Becomes Second McLaren Team to Join

Jenson Team Rocket RJN has announced plans to join the DTM next season with a McLaren 720S GT3.

The British squad, which is co-managed by 2009 Formula One champion Jenson Button, RJN team principal Bob Neville and Le Mans class winner Chris Buncombe, has become the second McLaren team to commit to the DTM’s adoption of GT3 machinery for 2021.

Last week one of its fellow Intelligent Money British GT Championship competitors 2 Seas Motorsport revealed plans for a two-car DTM entry with customer McLarens.

Jenson Team Rocket RJN fielded its McLaren in British GT this year after scrapping initial plans to compete in GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup.

The team won the season-opener at Oulton Park while its driver pairing of Michael O’Brien and sim racing specialist James Baldwin finished fourth in the overall standings.

Jenson Team Rocket RJN’s DTM driver has not been announced.

“I’ve always loved DTM and it’s exciting to see the series evolve into this new chapter with GT3,” said Button, who recently drove for his own team in the Silverstone British GT race.

“I’ve known Gerhard [Berger, DTM boss] for a long time and I’m sure he will ensure they put on a great show.

“We are all working behind the scenes to make this DTM plan come together and I’m pleased to be able to expand our plans with McLaren.”

Jenson Team Rocket RJN made its sports car debut last year, with the team running a Honda NSX GT3 Evo in the Silver Cup class of GTWC Europe Endurance.

It then switched to McLaren for the 2020 season and was planning to return to GTWC Europe and potentially contest some Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli races before the coronavirus pandemic prompted it to focus on a domestic program.

“When we set out on this journey as a team, it has always been our ambition to evolve and grow, competing in a number of different championships whilst working closely with a manufacturer,” said Buncombe.

“When this DTM opportunity was presented to us it felt like a great fit and I look forward to seeing how everything develops with the plans around this project.”