Strakka abandons WEC for Blancpain program

Silverstone-based Strakka has struck a deal with McLaren GT, which will see it move into the Blancpain GT Series for next season.

The squad has officially abandoned its LMP2 campaign in the World Endurance Championship in order to field a four-car attack in both the sprint and endurance arms of the Blancpain series.

The news follows the recent development that Strakka had withdrawn from the final two WEC rounds at Shanghai and Bahrain after sustaining engine damage at the Fuji round in October.

Team founder Nick Leventis confirmed the move into the world’s leading GT series in a key collaboration with McLaren GT that will see one of its four cars play a key role in the McLaren GT Academy Driver program.

“Creating this partnership with such an esteemed brand as McLaren is, for me, the most exciting chapter and proud moment in Strakka’s 10- year history,” Leventis said.

“We are now working with one of the most successful and prestigious GT3 manufacturers with a commitment to build a long term future together.

“We will also support the development of McLaren GT’s Academy Driver program via our Strakka Performance and Simulation programs.

“Nurturing young talent is something Strakka has always been passionate about and this partnership will enable us to use our resources to help such drivers develop.”

McLaren GT boss Andrew Kirkaldy said the immediate plan is for Strakka to commence a thorough winter testing schedule.

“It’s great to have Strakka Racing on board and we look forward to seeing it hit the ground running with a comprehensive winter test programme,” Kirkaldy said.

“It has demonstrated its ambition from the outset with its hunger to win in one of the world’s toughest-contested championships such as the Blancpain GT Series, which is exactly what we hope for when approached by new customers.”

Driver combinations will be determined following the exhaustive testing program.

“We aim to test a range of drivers including giving young talent an opportunity to show what they can do,” Strakka team principal Dan Walmsley said.

While Strakka will have no involvement in the WEC next season, it has not ruled out a return in the future.

It had, in fact, toyed with the possibility of stepping up to LMP1 however the release of the regulations came too late to make it possible.

“The regs came too late to get a P1L car ready for 2017 and to stay in the championship next year would have meant acquiring a P2 car,” adds Walmsley.

“It is a fantastic championship so expect to see us back racing there again.”