Well versed in the matters of ACO-sanctioned racing, JOTA Sport is taking another route this year, in an ambitious program set for the FANATEC GT World Challenge Europe, which also puts McLaren back in the European map for 2021.
JOTA Sport’s new adventure will comprise of a single McLaren 720S GT3, with their traditional Mighty 38 number, and will consist entirely of factory drivers, as Rob Bell is joined by Ben Barnicoat and newcomer Oliver Wilkinson. Despite the factory status, Bell is the one carrying more McLaren driving through different squads, while Barnicoat is splitting his opportunities with some LMP2 racing, and Wilkinson had a brief stint in 2020 after being promoted from the junior ranks inside McLaren.
JOTA is somehow following the steps of another team with roots in Le Mans-style racing, as Strakka Racing moved from the prototypes to GT3 with McLaren, still in the 650S GT3 model before moving to the Mercedes AMG GT3 and then to the definitive closure, though the coincidence will stop at this point, as JOTA Sport will keep their prototype programs active, coming from a runner-up campaign in Asian Le Mans Series and looking forward for another year in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Although this is their first jump into GT3 racing, they competed in GT machinery before and had participation in GT3 programs, all involving Aston Martin, with a Vantage GTE being used way back then in 2011, at the transition of GT2 rules to GTE, and more recently, they partnered with Arden Motorsport to assist R-Motorsport’s program in GT World Challenge with both the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 and the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT3. Having Arden around their lot isn’t at all new, since they also played a part into Jackie Chan DC Racing’s prototype program in multiple fronts.
Currently the new car is under testing before the new season comes, which will start on 16 April at Monza with the three hour Endurance Cup race.
PHOTO: JOTA Sport
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