Australian GT competitors Nathan Antunes and Rod Salmon will join the GT Asia field next weekend, driving for McLaren squad FFF Racing.

Antunes made two GT Asia starts last year and returns with FFF Racing following its victory last time out in Japan.

The link to FFF comes through its sporting director and former manager of Antunes, Alf Boarer.

“I enjoyed my time in the series last year, but felt that I had some unfinished business to take care of, and this opportunity gives me a perfect opportunity to battle at the front end of the field,” said Antunes.

“Alf and I have known each other since I was in open-wheelers in Europe during my formative years as a driver, and rejoining him and my Australian engineer Ric Kemp is a perfect opportunity.”

Salmon, who owns the Audi that Antunes is currently racing in the AGTC, heads to Asia following recent international experience via the Nuburgring 24 Hours.

“Asia has been on my radar for a while,” said the former two-time Bathurst 12 Hour winner.

“The series is super competitive, and the cars are every bit as good as the best in Europe, so when I was given the opportunity to join Nathan and the FFF Racing Team, I didn’t have to think too long and hard about it.

“I’ve never driven a McLaren before, so that will be a new experience, but all of it will be made much easier with Rik as our engineer, and having Nathan alongside again just like last year and the two endurance races at Bathurst and Phillip Island this year, it will feel just like home, so I’m not expecting too many hassles.

“We’ve also got the driving talents of Andrea (Caldarelli), Tonio (Liuzzi), Andre Couto (subbing for Caldarelli) and Hiroshi (Hamaguchi) to call on too, as well as a wealth of experience from the McLaren team, so I’m really looking forward to it, and moving away from my simulator to the track on Thursday for unofficial practice.”