McLaren GT considers Morcom for factory test

Newly crowned Australian GT Endurance champion Nathan Morcom is in the running for a factory McLaren GT test as the marque evaluates its driver options for 2017.

The Sydney-born driver has enjoyed a breakthrough year, claiming his first championship since karts by combining with Grant Denyer to take out the Australian Endurance Championship in a Tekno Autosports McLaren.

Morcom has emerged as a future target for the British sportscar firm with its head of operations Andrew Kirkaldy overseeing the 24 year-old’s progress at the Highlands Park finale last weekend.

The event provided mixed results beginning with an exclusion from the Australian GT Race 1 for contact with Klark Quinn which severely dented his title hopes in the sprint series.

However, an eighth place finish for Morcom in an overheating 650S was enough to wrap-up the AEC title on Sunday.

Kirkaldy says McLaren is angling to boost its driver line-up as it expands its GT3 program, with the marque keen to test Morcom.

A test for a number of drivers in Europe is planned this week, but Kirkaldy hopes another hit out will be arranged that could involve the young Aussie.

“It would be interesting to test these kind of people,” Kirkaldy told Speedcafe.com.

“It is difficult to gauge where they are relative to everybody else without putting them in the same car on the same day.

“We have a major driver test this week but unfortunately none of the drivers from Australia and New Zealand can attend because of the timing of it.

“We will do another one. We are doing quite a bit in Europe now so we need a few more drivers.

“It is great to have good drivers out here too making sure we stay strong in most championships throughout the world.

“I’m not sure when the test will be but it would be good to see how he gets on.”

Morcom is aware of the possible test opportunity admitting he is thrilled just to be considered.

“It is not set in stone but it has been mentioned,” Morcom told Speedcafe.com.

“It would be a good move. To be with all the factory drivers would be awesome.”

Following on from Tekno’s success with McLaren in Australian GT this season, the relationship is set to continue next year beginning with a return to Mount Panorama to defend its Bathurst 12 Hour title.

“For sure the relationship with Tekno will carry on and the next thing is to go back to Bathurst in February and try and do a good job there,” added Kirkaldy.

“We haven’t worked out fully what we will be doing but I’m sure we will be there.”