McLaren Trophy Europe
| Category | Sports car racing |
|---|---|
| Region | Europe |
| Affiliations | GT World Challenge Europe |
| Inaugural season | 2023 |
| Classes | Pro Pro-Am Am |
| Manufacturers | McLaren |
| Engine suppliers | McLaren Automotive |
| Tyre suppliers | Pirelli |
| Current champions | Jayden Kelly Michael O'Brien |
| Teams' champion | Greystone GT [Pro] |
| Official website | mclarentrophyeurope |
| Current season | |
The McLaren Trophy Europe is a European sports car racing championship organised by the SRO Motorsports Group (SRO). The series features two drivers competing in McLaren Artura Trophy cars during 50-minute races. Participants can enter one of three classes: Pro, Pro-Am, or Am. Previously, the series allowed the use of McLaren 570S Trophy cars, but starting in 2025, it has transitioned to a one-make championship. Additionally, the series introduced the Papaya Cup, which provides an extra title for inexperienced Am drivers. The SRO awards championship titles to the top-scoring drivers and teams at the end of the season.[1][2]
History
The championship launched in 2023. McLaren Automotive established it as a customer racing series for both amateur and professional drivers, racing in identical McLaren cars. The series is an evolution of McLaren's GT racing programs and is designed as a stepping stone for drivers transitioning from GT4 to GT3 racing. The championship uses a single-make format, meaning all competitors race in identical machinery. This emphasises driver skill over car performance.
The series has seen a progression in its featured cars. Initially, the series ran with the McLaren 570S Trophy and the new Artura Trophy. For the 2025 season, the more powerful Artura Trophy Evo was introduced, offering increased performance through enhanced aerodynamics and wider tyres.[3]
The race weekends typically include two 50-minute races, each requiring a mandatory pit stop and driver change for two-driver teams. This format is designed for driver pairings, with categories for professional (Pro), amateur (Am) and mixed professional/amateur (Pro-Am) partnerships. From its inception, the McLaren Trophy has run alongside the GT World Challenge Europe, providing competitors with a high-profile platform and exposure to a broader GT racing audience. The success of the European series led to its expansion, with the new McLaren Trophy America championship launching in 2025.[4]
Champions
Drivers
| Year | Pro Cup | Pro-Am Cup | Am Cup | Papaya Cup | Artura Trophy | 570S Trophy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | — | — | — | Gonzalo de Andres Tommy Pintos |
David Foster Bradley Ellis |
| 2024 | Erik Behrens | Gonzalo de Andres Alejandro Geppert |
Ryan James Oliver Webb | |||
| 2025 | Jayden Kelly Michael O'Brien |
Ryan James Oliver Webb |
Tim Docker | Klaus Halsig | — | — |
Teams
| Year | Overall |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Greystone GT |
| 2024 | SMC Motorsport |
| 2025 | Greystone GT [Pro] |
Circuits
| Circuit | Location | Country | Last length used | Turns | Season(s) | Races held |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algarve International Circuit | Portimão | Portugal | 4.653 (2.891 mi) |
15 | 2026 | 1 |
| Brands Hatch | Kent | United Kingdom | 3.916 km (2.433 mi) |
9 | 2025 | 1 |
| Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | Montmeló | Spain | 4.657 km (2.894 mi) |
14 | 2023–2024, 2026 | 3 |
| Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | Stavelot | Belgium | 7.004 km (4.352 mi) |
19 | 2023–2026 | 4 |
| Circuit Paul Ricard | Le Castellet | France | 5.770 km (3.585 mi) |
13 | 2023, 2025 | 2 |
| Hockenheimring | Hockenheim | Germany | 4.574 km (2.842 mi) |
17 | 2023 | 1 |
| Misano World Circuit | Misano Adriatico | Italy | 4.226 km (2.626 mi) |
16 | 2023–2024, 2026 | 3 |
| Monza Circuit | Monza | Italy | 5.777 km (3.590 mi) |
11 | 2024–2026 | 3 |
| Nürburgring | Nürburg | Germany | 5.148 km {3.198 mi) |
15 | 2024–2025 | 2 |
See also
References
- ^ "McLaren Trophy". cars.mclaren.com. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ^ "McLaren Trophy Europe". McLaren Trophy Europe. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ^ "2023 McLaren Artura Trophy - Images, Specifications and Information". Ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ^ Wright, Ian (7 March 2024). "One-Make McLaren Artura Race Series Coming To America: We Rode Shotgun In The Race Car To Celebrate". CarBuzz. Retrieved 4 November 2025.