New Zealand GT driver Jono Lester will contest the Asian Le Mans Series with McLaren GT squad OD Racing.

The 26-year-old will pilot a McLaren 650S alongside former Lotus Formula 1 test driver Fairuz Fauzy and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia driver Zhang Da Sheng in the four-round championship.

Lester has expanded his GT racing commitments in Asia this year having competed in Japan’s Super GT, GT Asia, China GT and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series.

The series, backed by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), begins at China’s Zhuhai International Circuit from October 29-30.

Lester sees the series as a stepping stone to landing a drive in the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.

“It will be my first time racing a McLaren however mid-engined GT3 cars are familiar territory for me so I expect to adapt quickly,” said Lester.

“With the ACO now fully behind the championship, the grids and quality are world class and I know we have a big challenge ahead of us to win the title.

“I have tunnel vision when it comes to Le Mans (24 Hour), and this is a step in the right direction.

“We are gunning for nothing less than victory, and I believe we have one of the strongest overall line ups in the GT3 class.”

Earlier this week, the Asian Le Mans Series has confirmed a 31-car entry for the championship which concludes at Sepang, Malaysia from January 20-22 next year.

2016/2017 Asian Le Mans Series calendar

Round 1: October 28-30, Zhuhai, China.

Round 2: December 2-4, Fuji, Japan.

Round 3: January 6-8, Buriram, Thailand.

Round 4: January 20-22, Sepang, Malaysia.