British GT specialist Garage 59 is gearing up for its first full-season campaign in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) LMGT3 category. Founded in 2016, the team has built a decade-long pedigree across series such as GT World Challenge Europe, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Bathurst 12 Hour, Intercontinental GT Challenge, British GT Championship, Asian Le Mans Series, and International GT Open. Over this period, it has claimed multiple victories and trophies, cementing its status as one of the premier GT outfits in global motorsport.
In 2026, Garage 59 will step onto the FIA WEC stage as McLaren Automotive’s new LMGT3 partner, succeeding United Autosports. The squad will field a pair of McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evos, cars that have already demonstrated winning potential, including a triumph at Circuit of the Americas and a near victory in the Qatar season opener.
Garage 59 #10 car: Youth and experience combinedfor 2026 WEC LMGT3 campaign
The #10 entry will feature reigning Asian Le Mans Series GT class champion Antares Au, alongside rising British star Thomas Fleming, whose breakthrough 2025 season in the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup culminated in an invitation to the end-of-season Rookie Test in Bahrain. Fleming impressed by topping the morning timesheets in a Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche, showcasing his potential for endurance racing at the highest level. Completing the crew is McLaren factory driver and seasoned Garage 59 competitor Marvin Kirchhöfer.
Kirchhöfer expressed his excitement for the new challenge: “I’m excited for this new chapter as I have wanted to compete in FIA WEC for a long time. We’ve had a great year in the GT World Challenge, celebrating a few wins and a few pole positions, and this really motivates me to keep that momentum going.
“I must give great credit to the team, as everyone has worked so hard 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!”
Fleming’s emerging talent, Au’s championship-winning experience, and Kirchhöfer’s factory expertise are expected to give the car a competitive balance for both single races and the full endurance season.
Garage 59 #58 car: Experience anchors young talent for 2026 WEC LMGT3 campaign
Swedish veteran Alexander West, Benji Goethe—a McLaren factory driver—and 21-year-old Finn Gehrsitz will drive the sister #58 car, a number deeply associated with Garage 59’s history. Goethe delivered standout performances in 2025, including outright GT World Challenge victories, while Gehrsitz impressed in his maiden FIA WEC season with the #78 Akkodis ASP Team Lexus, taking LMGT3 pole positions in Belgium and Bahrain and reaching the podium at Imola.
Gehrsitz highlighted the opportunity to race with Garage 59: “I’m proud to join Garage 59 for the 2026 FIA WEC season with McLaren, and I’m excited for what we can achieve together. It’s a new chapter and new colours but the same mission. Together with my teammates Benji and Alexander, I’m ready to push harder than ever, learn faster, grow and give everything I have for this team. Let’s make something special happen!”
West, who co-owns the squad alongside former racers Andrew Kirkaldy and Chris Goodwin, reflected on the milestone of entering the championship.
“Taking Garage 59 into the FIA World Endurance Championship is a milestone moment for everyone involved. 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.”
This combination of experienced professionals and emerging stars across both entries positions Garage 59 to make a strong impact in its first full FIA WEC season. The team is not only aiming for competitive lap times and podiums but also seeking to establish itself as a consistent force in the LMGT3 class.
Looking ahead to 2026
With the six-driver roster confirmed, Garage 59 now turns its focus to preparation, testing, and integration of its two McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evos. The drivers will work closely with engineers to optimise performance across the demanding eight-round FIA WEC calendar, which features iconic circuits including Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps, and Fuji.
As Garage 59 embarks on this new chapter, the team’s leadership, driver pairing strategy, and factory backing suggest it will be one of the most exciting newcomers to watch in LMGT3 next season. The mix of youth, experience, and factory knowledge offers a balanced approach, providing the squad with the tools necessary to compete at the top level from the outset.
