Bruno Senna has become the latest addition to the McLaren GT factory driver programme for 2015, reuniting two of motorsport’s most famous names.
The 31 year old will join the British team’s elite works driver line-up of Alvaro Parente, Kevin Estre and Rob Bell.
Senna’s main role will be to develop the new McLaren 650S GT3, which will enter its first race later this year with McLaren’s customer teams. Senna will also have a say in the development of the 650S Sprint model, as well as participating in several high profile GT races around the world.
Senna, the nephew of three time Formula 1 world champion and McLaren legend Ayrton, had originally raced in single seaters before making the switch to closed-cockpit machinery. After impressing in the junior formulae he made his F1 debut with Hispania in 2010. Spells at Lotus-Renault and Williams followed, before his endurance career took flight with Aston Martin Racing’s factory squad in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
“It is a great honour for me to be joining McLaren; a team my uncle enjoyed such huge success with, and one of the most famous names in motorsport, Senna said. “2015 is a big year for the whole of McLaren, and it is an exciting time to be part of everything that is taking place.
“I am looking forward to working with the team at McLaren GT who I had a chance to get to know when I raced at the Spa 24 hour a couple of years ago, and I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the new 650S. A lot of effort has gone into the development of the car since the 12C GT3, which I raced, and it made a big impression on its debut at the end of last season. It is shaping up to be a big year ahead.”
Andrew Kirkaldy, Managing Director of McLaren GT, said:
“We are extremely pleased to be able to add Bruno to our factory driver line-up, and it is great to have the Senna name back on a McLaren.
“Our factory drivers are some of the most accomplished and capable on the grid, and Bruno adds further strength to our team. At only 31, he has a huge amount of experience, having raced with success in all major international championships including Formula 1, European Le Mans Series, World Endurance Championship and the Blancpain Endurance Series.”