The results sheets may not show it, but former LMP1 racer Oliver Webb says Greystone GT is quietly taking significant strides forward with the #24 McLaren GT3 Evo he shares with Andrey Borodin in the British GT Championship.
Webb entered 2025 after securing the McLaren Trophy Europe 570S title with the team and is currently taking on a dual programme across British GT and the Trophy Europe series. Having completed a full season together in the GT Open last year, the duo have been focusing specifically on maximising the performance of the Pirelli tyres used in British GT so far this season, in pursuit of strong results.
“We were really strong in the GT Open car,” Webb tells DSC. “Andrey was getting very close to the other Ams, even finishing ahead of a couple of them. We were always kind of top five in overall pace out of 25, 30 cars, so that was strong.”
However, the transition from Michelin to Pirelli’s DHF compound has thrown up new challenges.
“We were on Michelin tyres in GT Open,” Webb explains. “Now with the Pirellis, especially on UK circuits, we’ve definitely struggled a lot more. We still haven’t really figured out why, so yeah, it’s a bit of a testing year for us.
“For us, it’s about getting the setup we had on the Michelins to work on the Pirellis. But it’s not just a different tyre – it’s a whole new compound: DHF Pirelli versus the DHG.
“We’re not getting the lateral grip we need at the moment. But we’re working on it and getting closer.
“We don’t get that many test days because of Andrey’s schedule, so we’re always a little on the back foot. But for the amount of days we do get, we’re definitely closing the gap.”
While Greystone GT continues to fine-tune the McLaren’s setup to extract the most performance from the Pirellis, Webb also points to the rising standard of competition in the British GT paddock, where several top-tier GT3 entries – including four other McLaren crews – are in the hunt.
“British GT isn’t what it used to be; it’s more competitive every year. Not that it was ever uncompetitive, but now you’ve got strong factory drivers and teams that run in GT World Challenge also running here, on what are effectively club-level circuits, but in very quick cars.
“It’s a privilege to race against great teams and great drivers.”
Greystone’s campaign has been tough. It began with a challenging outing at Donington Park, where the team finished outside the points in 13th place.
Then at the Silverstone 500, Borodin struck a sausage kerb during his opening session, which damaged the radiator and ended their weekend early.
“The problem was Andrey hit a pretty big kerb that you wouldn’t normally hit,” Webb recalls. “It wouldn’t usually happen. They’re [the McLaren GT3s] generally more bulletproof than that.”
Oulton Park followed, though Borodin was ruled out of the sprint double-header due to an injury picked up while playing polo. The team didn’t take part in the races and instead used the weekend to gain valuable test mileage.
Despite the team’s limited running, Webb remained positive about the experience and the character of the Oulton Park Island layout.
“We rely on the fact that Greystone has a good team, and that I’ve had enough experience with this car to get within a few per cent straight away. But finding that last bit – that’s the challenge,” he said.
Greystone GT then opted to sit out the three-hour endurance round at Spa-Francorchamps, instead heading to Spa the following week for the McLaren Trophy Europe support race during the Spa 24 Hours weekend.
Snetterton’s sprint double-header on 12-13 July is next on the calendar, and offers Webb and Greystone GT a chance to reset. Whether the team’s continued efforts in the background translate into a strong weekend is one of several storylines worth tracking up and down the field.
Images courtesy of SRO/JEP
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