Garage 59 has confirmed the six-strong driver line-up with which it aims to battle for honours in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMGT3 division in 2026, as the successful British outfit gears up to make its debut in the series.
Founded in 2016, Garage 59 has participated over the past decade in the GT World Challenge Europe, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Bathurst 12 Hour, Intercontinental GT Challenge, British GT Championship, Asian Le Mans Series and International GT Open, clinching multiple trophies along the way.
Next year, however, will mark its first foray into FIA WEC competition, having succeeded United Autosports as McLaren Automotive’s partner in LMGT3. The team will duly field a brace of McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evos – a car that triumphed at COTA back in September and very nearly did the same in the Qatar curtain-raising contest.
In the #10 entry, reigning Asian Le Mans Series GT class champion, Antares Au will be joined by Thomas Fleming, whose stellar form in the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup in 2025 was rewarded with an invitation to sample Manthey 1st Phorm’s title-winning Porsche in the end-of-season Rookie Test in Bahrain, where the rising British star confirmed his potential by topping the morning timesheets. McLaren factory driver and Garage 59 regular, Marvin Kirchhöfer completes the crew.
“I’m excited for this new chapter as I have wanted to compete in FIA WEC for a long time,” enthused the 31-year-old German, who prevailed in the GTD category in the most recent Rolex 24 At Daytona. “We’ve had a great year in the GT World Challenge, celebrating a few wins and a few pole positions, and this really motivates me to keep that momentum going.
“I must give great credit to the team, as everyone has worked so hard and it has been a pleasure to be part of the Garage 59 story. I hope we can continue to celebrate together. We have lots of new challenges coming our way – in fact, this will be my first Le Mans – and I cannot wait to get started with Tom and Antares!”
In the sister #58 car – a number that has served Garage 59 well throughout its history – Swedish veteran Alexander West will be flanked by McLaren factory driver, Benji Goethe, who delivered standout performances this year including outright GT World Challenge victories, and Finn Gehrsitz.
The latter impressed during the course of his maiden campaign in the FIA World Endurance Championship, as he piloted the #78 Akkodis ASP Team Lexus to LMGT3 pole position in Belgium and Bahrain and reached the rostrum at Imola. At just 21, he is the youngest member of the sextet.
“I’m proud to join Garage 59 for the 2026 FIA WEC season with McLaren,” remarked Gehrsitz, “and I’m excited for what we can achieve together. It’s a new chapter and new colours but the same mission. Together with my team-mates Benji and Alexander, I’m ready to push harder than ever, learn faster, grow and give everything I have for this team. Let’s make something special happen!”
“Taking Garage 59 into the FIA World Endurance Championship is a milestone moment for everyone involved,” added West, who co-owns the squad with former racers Andrew Kirkaldy and Chris Goodwin. “We’ve built this team step-by-step over many years, and the opportunity to return to the world stage, particularly at events like Le Mans, is something we’ve all been working towards.
“Running the #58 carries real meaning for us, and I’m proud to drive it into this next chapter alongside Benji and Finn. There’s a huge challenge ahead, but we feel ready, motivated and excited to get started.”
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