Ahead of the 2016 season, McLaren GT has added to its off-track team with the appointment of Bas Leinders to the role of Sporting Manager. Confirmation of a number of new McLaren GT customer teams for the 2016 season has further strengthened the GT3 grids around the world. Leinders brings valuable experience to the teams on the pitwall and he will work with customer teams to further optimise the potential of the 650S GT3.
Leinders, 40, has enjoyed a successful GT and single-seat racing career, which included winning the German Formula 3 in 1998 before joining the McLaren junior team alongside Nick Heidfeld, and a role as F1-test and reserve driver. The Belgian has also enjoyed success from the pitwall with success in the Blancpain Endurance Series, which included the overall teams title in 2013 and victory in last year's Total 24 Hours of Spa.
Bas Leinders, Sporting Manager, McLaren GT: "It is great to be joining McLaren GT at the start of what is looking like a very exciting and strong year. The 650S GT3 is a proven race winner at the highest level, and was extremely successful in 2015 and has continued that success in to this year as well, and I am excited by the opportunities and challenges the season ahead will hold. I am extremely proud to be re-joining the McLaren family after so many years having raced briefly with the team back in the late 1990s, and cannot wait to be back on track."