McLaren 720S GT3 Confirmed for British GT

Image: Balfe Motorsport

Multi-time GT racing champions Balfe Motorsport will return to the British GT Championship with a brand-new McLaren 720S GT3 alongside its previously announced 570S GT4.

McLaren factory driver Rob Bell will team up with Shaun Balfe in the Pro-Am class effort, which was confirmed on Wednesday.

It has become the first new-for-2019 McLaren to commit to British GT.

Balfe previously competed with the McLaren 650S GT3, having won the Pro-Am title in International GT Open with the same lineup.

“It’s a great feeling knowing Balfe Motorsport is continuing our relationship with McLaren during these exciting times,” said Shaun Balfe.

“I’ve felt close to the 720S GT3 project from the beginning. McLaren kept me updated though its development stages during 2018 and I felt privileged to be one of the first customers to take part in Portimão last September.

“For me the car has a great track presence and it is a significant step up from the 650S GT3 with which Balfe Motorsport and I, with Rob by my side, enjoyed great success.

“The 720S GT3 had a strong competitive debut at the Gulf 12 Hours which bodes well for us. I’m very excited for the 2019 and looking forward to the journey ahead.”

Bell added: “The development program for the car has been intense, testing throughout Europe and the Middle East in a variety of conditions, and I have been really impressed with the results we have achieved.

“I feel the team and the car are in a strong position to challenge from the first round and, after a long winter, I am feeling more confident and motivated than ever to fight for results and I’m really looking forward to working with Shaun to show what the 720S GT3 can do.”

As revealed late last year, Graham Johnson and McLaren Young Professional driver Michael O’Brien will pilot the team’s McLaren GT4 entry. 

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