Volante Rosso Finalizes McLaren, Aston Programs

Volante Rosso Motorsport has finalized its GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS plans, confirming a multi-brand two-car attack on the new season.

The Sydney-based team will campaign both a McLaren 720S GT3 Evo (pictured above) in the Pro-Am class, as announced by the team in the run-up to last month’s Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, as well as a Trophy class Aston Martin Vantage GT3 (below).

Both cars are decked out in the colors of new sponsor Motorhaus Garage.

Team owner Josh Hunt, who appeared in the team’s Aston for last year’s Hampton Downs season finale, will return to full-time driving duties this year aboard the No. 15 McLaren entry alongside three-time Australian GT champion Geoff Emery.

Sharing the No. 14 Aston Martin entry meanwhile will be Alex Gardner, who last drove for the team in GTWC Australia in 2024, and newcomer Lee Stibbs.

“We’re very pleased with how our plans have come together for the 2026 GT season,” said Volante Rosso technical director Chris Papadopoulos.

“It’s great to welcome Motorhaus as a major partner across both cars, bringing unification across our two cars. Motorhaus is very serious about cars and motorsport and they’re keen to see us push at the front of the field.

“Our driver line-up for 2026 is strong, too. It’s an excellent mix of youth and experience and our whole team is really looking forward to getting stuck into it at Phillip Island.

“The McLaren showed at the Bathurst 12 Hour that it’s going to be fast. It didn’t take long for us to show that it has real potential, and with two very safe hands in Josh and Geoff behind the wheel, there is great reason for us to be excited.

“And our Aston Martin is a proven commodity. It took us to multiple podiums last year, plus an outright win, so we know exactly where that car is at and what it is capable of.

“Having Lee [Stibbs] on board is, for me, a strong signing. He has been fast in anything he has turned his hand at and I have no doubt that he will be on the pace quickly.

“It’s also great that we’ve got Alex Gardner back in the car too. All of his junior racing has been under the Volante Rosso banner, so to continue that journey is something that we are all really proud of.”

The new GTWC Australia season begins this weekend at Phillip Island, with the number of confirmed cars for the opening round up to 15.