McLaren will be represented in the DTM for the first time, with British GT outfit 2Seas Motorsport fielding a two-car entry with a pair of 720S GT3’s for the 2021 season.
Next year will mark the first time in DTM history the category will adopt a GT3-based ‘GT Plus’ formula to attract new manufacturers following the withdrawal of Audi Sport.
The McLaren team was initially slated to contest the GT World Challenge Europe Series before the Covid-19 pandemic initiated a shift of plans. Instead, 2Seas Motorsport ran in the British GT Series where it scored seven podiums and a win en route to third in the GT3 standings.
Drivers will be announced at a later date. However, it’s understood that McLaren factory driver Ben Barnicoat is the leading candidate for one of the two available seats.
“It is great to be in a position where the championship has opened up to accept GT3 entries, and we can work with McLaren to take the 720S GT3 on to a completely new global stage,” said team co-owner Nick Cristofaro.
“The viewing figures for last year were incredible, and blend of the DTM format with the addition of a GT3 is shaping up to be a very interesting recipe.”
McLaren now becomes only the second confirmed manufacturer for the 2021 DTM season, which is looking increasingly more dire given BMW remain uncommitted to the series. Last month, Hong-Kong based team GruppeM announced they would be running a Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo in the nine-round championship.
Porsche have also ruled out modifying their 911 GT3 R to make them compatible with the DTM regulations.
To differentiate itself from other GT3 championships, DTM will be enhancing engine performance to over 600hp and implementing a push-to-pass system. A balance of performance model has also been floated. But, series organisers will only take up on the option if it means having more entries.
The 2021 DTM will feature four rounds in Germany, and an additional five races across Europe starting at the Igora Drive circuit in Russia on 29-30 May.
