Major developments for the Modena-based team led by Andrea Palma, which in 2026 becomes part of the British manufacturer’s racing universe, beginning with the international McLaren Trophy one-make series – featuring two 585-hp Artura Trophy Evo cars – and with the Italian GT Championship, also laying the groundwork for a potential GT3 programme
Modena (Italy), January 29, 2026. Entry into the McLaren world and the prospect of launching a GT3 programme. Raptor Engineering’s 2026 season is set to be transformative, revealing major new plans for the upcoming racing year as part of a solid multi-year project centred on the Gran Turismo cars of the British manufacturer, reigning Formula 1 World Champion.
To inaugurate this new chapter, sealed during a meeting at the company’s headquarters in Woking, the Modena-based team officially announces its participation in the 2026 McLaren Trophy Europe with two McLaren Artura Trophy Evo cars. The striking GT machine that headlines the international one-make series features refined aerodynamics and delivers up to 585 horsepower, rising to 620 thanks to the push-to-pass system.
The challenge and commitment are substantial for Team Raptor, which will take on an European series for the first time, starting at Monza at the end of May and running alongside GT World Challenge weekends. However, the international programme is only part of the picture. The squad led by a very experienced driver like Andrea Palma (who is also Pagani works driver) will also debut the McLaren Artura Trophy Evo in the Italian GT Championship, the national series in which Raptor Engineering has collected multiple “Cup” titles over the past two seasons. For both new programmes, which begin with high ambitions, the team is already evaluating – and will continue to assess – enquiries from interested drivers.
Also, further development is already on the horizon. In agreement with the Woking-based manufacturer, Raptor Engineering is working toward a possible GT3 programme. Once again, the initial plan would focus on the Italian GT Championship, although opportunities, timing and implementation are still being defined. What is already certain is that entering a McLaren GT3 car would mark Raptor Engineering’s debut in the top category of GT racing.
Andrea Palma, Team Principal of Raptor Engineering, commented: “We are extremely happy and highly motivated for these new and ambitious racing programmes that we will pursue alongside a brand of the highest prestige such as McLaren. We had reached the end of a sporting cycle, and as a team we needed to redefine our future plans. Our ambition has always been to reach major international series and to open the door to GT3 racing and, further ahead, to endurance competition. We were looking for an opportunity that was entirely new in every aspect – not only involving different drivers and championships but also engaging an important manufacturer – with the aim of laying the ideal foundations to eventually become a reference team. With McLaren, a shared collaboration has begun, we greatly appreciate the openness shown by Giorgo Sanna, Head of Motorsport at McLaren Automotive. Looking toward 2026, we are sharing every idea and initiative in close synergy. I am convinced that we are in the right place, at the right time and with the right colours. In the coming weeks we will announce further news ahead of a season that we can not wait to begin on track”.
