McLaren hires Bruno Senna as factory driver

McLaren GT has announced the hiring of former Formula 1 driver Bruno Senna as a factory driver for the 2015 season.

The 31-year old Senna is the nephew of triple Formula 1 World Champion Ayrton Senna and has had extensive experience in single-seater and endurance racing.  His accomplishments include winning the British Formula 3 and a podium finish at the 2008 GP2 Series before moving up to Formula 1.  He has also raced with McLaren GT in the 12C GT3 at the Total 24 Hours of Spa in 2013 for customer team Von Ryan Racing and in the last two years made a good account of himself as part of the GTE class of the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  His most recent seat was with the FIA Formula E championship.

As part of the McLaren GT factory driver program, Bruno Senna’s duties include assisting in the development program for the 650S GT3 and 650S Sprint models, as well as racing in selected events with the new 650S GT3.

“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. 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,” Bruno Senna, McLaren GT factory driver.

“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,” Andrew Kirkaldy, Managing Director, McLaren GT.