McLaren Adds Senna to Factory Driver Lineup

Bruno Senna has joined McLaren GT as a factory driver alongside Kevin Estre, Alvaro Parente and Rob Bell, with the Brazilian set for both a development and select race program in 2015.

The former Aston Martin driver, Senna will be part of the development program for the 650S GT3 and 650S Sprint models, and will race selected events with the new 650S GT3. The updated model makes its competitive debut with McLaren GT customer teams this year.

Senna’s exact race schedule should be announced in the coming weeks.

This announcement reunites a Senna with McLaren – Bruno’s uncle Ayrton won all three of his Formula 1 World Championships in 1988, 1990 and 1991 with McLaren’s F1 team.

“It is a great honor for me to be joining McLaren; a team my uncle enjoyed such huge success with, and one of the most famous names in motorsport,” Senna said. “2015 is a big year for the whole of McLaren, and it is an exciting time to be part of everything that is taking place.

“I am looking forward to working with the team at McLaren GT who I had a chance to get to know when I raced at the Spa 24 hour a couple of years ago, and I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the new 650S.

“A lot of effort has gone into the development of the car since the 12C GT3, which I raced, and it made a big impression on its debut at the end of last season. It is shaping up to be a big year ahead.”

Added Andrew Kirkaldy, managing director, McLaren GT, “We are extremely pleased to be able to add Bruno to our factory driver lineup, and it is great to have the Senna name back on a McLaren.

“Our factory drivers are some of the most accomplished and capable on the grid, and Bruno adds further strength to our team.

“At only 31, he has a huge amount of experience, having raced with success in all major international championships including Formula 1, European Le Mans Series, World Endurance Championship and the Blancpain Endurance Series.”