Williams Team Principal James Vowles Tests McLaren GT3 After Max Verstappen's Outing

Williams Team Principal James Vowles recently tested a McLaren 720S GT3 EVO at Spain's Circuito de Navarra, mirroring Max Verstappen's recent participation in a Porsche Cayman GT4 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Verstappen's excursion, undertaken to secure a Category A license for the Nordschleife, appears to have sparked a 'GT virus' among F1 paddock members.

Why it matters:

The growing trend of F1 personnel engaging in GT racing during off-weekends underscores a shared, deep-seated passion for high-performance motorsport beyond their Formula 1 commitments. This phenomenon provides a unique glimpse into their competitive spirit and driving prowess outside their primary roles, potentially boosting the profile and appeal of GT racing categories.

The details:

• Vowles put the McLaren 720S GT3 EVO through its paces, a formidable machine equipped with a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine producing around 740 hp, capable of reaching speeds up to 340 km/h.
• His two-day test session at the technical Circuito de Navarra was conducted with Garage59, a team with whom he has a strong historical connection.
• Sharing his experience on Instagram, Vowles noted he was 'rusty to start' after several years out of a GT3 car but expressed being 'very happy with where we ended up' after the test, emphasizing his enjoyment in focusing solely on driving rather than engineering.

What's next:

The increasing allure of GT racing for prominent F1 figures prompts speculation on who might be the next driver or team principal to venture into this competitive class. This burgeoning interest could signal a fresh avenue for F1 personalities to indulge their passion for racing during their downtime.