McLaren Motorsport has confirmed the latest additions to its GT3 Junior programme, with Dante Rappange, Guilherme Oliveira and Salman Owega joining the manufacturer’s driver development pathway.
Rappange and Oliveira, who are currently contesting the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup season with Optimum Motorsport, become the newest members of the programme alongside Owega.
The German arrives with an impressive CV that includes an ADAC GT Masters title with HRT and Ford, and an overall victory in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Having already sampled the McLaren GT3 EVO, he is set to join the marque’s line-up for this weekend’s CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.
Alongside the announcement of its new GT3 Juniors, McLaren Motorsport has revealed the 2026 intake for the McLaren Trophy Academy.
A total of 31 drivers will participate in the programme, comprising 23 competitors from McLaren Trophy Europe and eight from McLaren Trophy America. All will undergo a comprehensive assessment process in September at the McLaren Technology Centre, using the same facilities utilised by Formula 1 drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The manufacturer sees the McLaren Trophy platform as a key stepping stone in identifying and developing future factory drivers, with the Academy programme designed to accelerate progression through the GT racing ranks.
“Following the introduction of the Pro category in McLaren Trophy, the McLaren Trophy Academy was launched last year as a way of offering further support to young drivers and to allow us to spot future talent,” Giorgio Sanna, the head of motorsport at McLaren Automotive said.
“McLaren Trophy provides a strong foundation for our factory driver programme and the ideal environment for us to observe drivers on a level playing field.
“All the drivers will undergo a rigorous assessment process. I’m excited to see how they all perform.
“For 2026, we have invested even more resources into the programme, which is a show of commitment not only into the McLaren Trophy, but also identifying and developing the next generation of McLaren factory drivers.”
McLaren Trophy Europe Academy (2026)
Greystone GT
Josh Mason (GBR, 24)
Will Martin (GBR, 23)
Hugo Bac (FRA, 20)
DTO Motorsport
Ben Mulryan (GBR, 19)
Aston Millar (GBR, 21)
Paddock Motorsport
Maximilian Tarillion (GER, 21)
Luca Magnussen (DEN, 16)
Matthew Higgins (GBR, 21)
Callum Davies (GBR, 19)
Target Racing
Alessandro Fabi (ITA, 26)
Largim Ali (DEN, 22)
Gregor Jeets (EST, 25)
Riccardo Ianniello (ITA, 19)
Kristian Brookes (GBR, 26)
Patrick Schober (AUT, 21)
Raptor Engineering
Ferdinando D’Auria (ITA, 19)
Vincenzo Scarpetta (ITA, 19)
Flavio Olivieri (ITA, 19)
SMC Motorsport
Harry Burgoyne (GBR, 18)
Will Aspin (GBR, 21)
Lourenço Monteiro (POR, 22)
CSA Racing
James Higgins (GBR, 24)
Edgar Pierre (FRA, 20)
Willyam Gosselin (FRA, 20)
McLaren Trophy America Academy (2026)
Racewerks
Spencer Schmidt (USA, 23)
Sam Neser (GBR, 18)
Forte Racing
Cooper Broll (USA, 21)
Kaia Teo (USA, 19)
Tanner Harvey (USA, 22)
OMS
Robby Stockard (USA, 26)
Brian Herta Autosport
Bryson Morris (USA, 21)
Daniel Hanley (USA, 22)
Images courtesy of McLaren
