McLaren outfit Garage 59 has announced its complete driver line-up ahead of its maiden FIA World Endurance Championship assault in 2026.
The British team has replaced United Autosports as McLaren’s LMGT3 representative for next season, with United focusing on the development of McLaren’s Dallara-based LMDh machine ahead of the marque’s Hypercar debut in 2027.
Alongside the change of service provider, McLaren’s LMGT3 effort has also had a complete overhaul on the driver front, with none of United’s 2025 roster continuing with Garage 59.
In the #10 entry, McLaren factory driver Marvin Kirchhöfer will be joined next season by fellow FIA WEC rookies Thomas Fleming and Antares Au.
Kirchhöfer (above) raced for Garage 59 in GT World Challenge Europe this year, scoring pole position at the 24 Hours of Spa on his way to McLaren’s best-ever finish at the event, before going on to end the brand’s nine-year winless drought in the Sprint Cup.
“I’m excited for this new chapter as I have wanted to compete in WEC for a long time,” said the German.
“We’ve had a great year in GT World Challenge, celebrating a few wins and a few pole positions, and this really motivates me to keep that momentum going into the new season of WEC. I must give great credit to the team, as everyone has worked so hard this year, and it has been a pleasure to be part of the Garage 59 story.
“I hope we can continue to celebrate together. We have lots of new challenges coming our way, in fact, this will be my first Le Mans, and I cannot wait to get started with Tom and Antares.”
23-year-old Fleming (below) also formed part of Garage 59’s GT World Challenge Europe programme this season, alongside efforts in the European Le Mans Series with GR Racing and Michelin Le Mans Cup with Nielsen Racing.
Having impressed throughout 2025, the Briton was one of the ACO’s nominated drivers at the FIA WEC Rookie Test, where he had the opportunity to test the LMGT3 title-winning #92 Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3.
Reigning Asian Le Mans Series GT drivers’ champion Au (below) will act as the team’s Bronze-rated pilot. The 46-year-old has almost exclusively raced Porsche machinery in recent seasons, including for his Asian Le Mans title success and 24 Hours of Le Mans debut earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the #58 McLaren LMGT3 Evo will feature Garage 59 co-owner Alexander West alongside Benjamin Goethe and Finn Gehrsitz.
West (above), who formed part of Garage 59’s driver line-up when the team made a one-off appearance at the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans under the ‘Inception Racing’ banner, is set to embark on his first full season of racing in four years.
The 2020 GT World Challenge Europe Pro-Am drivers’ champion has stayed active since, however, making occasional appearances with Garage 59 in the likes of the Gulf 12 Hours, where he will compete again this upcoming weekend, and International GT Open.
“Taking Garage 59 into the FIA World Endurance Championship is a milestone moment for everyone involved in the team,” West said. “We’ve built this team step-by-step over many years, and the opportunity to return to the world stage, particularly at events like Le Mans, is something we’ve all been working towards.
“Running the #58 carries real meaning for us, and I’m proud to drive it into this next chapter alongside Benji and Finn. There’s a huge challenge ahead, but we feel ready, motivated and excited to get started.”
Goethe (below) has raced for Garage 59 in GT World Challenge Europe for the past three years, including as Kirchhöfer’s co-driver in 2025. The German is set to become the second member of his family to contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans, after his father Roald made three starts at the race from 2011 to 2015.
Gehrsitz, meanwhile, is the only driver in Garage 59’s roster to have previously contested a full FIA WEC campaign. The 21-year-old raced Akkodis ASP Team’s Lexus RC F LMGT3 in the championship this season, delivering multiple standout performances, scoring a podium finish at the 6 Hours of Imola and pole positions at Spa and Bahrain.
The 2026 FIA WEC campaign will begin at the Lusail International Circuit with the Qatar 1812KM, from 26th to 28th March 2026.
Images courtesy of Garage 59
