Modena-based team makes its debut in GT3 racing entering 2026 national series with a 720S GT3 Evo for factory driver MacDonald and reigning Italian GT Endurance champion Cazzaniga
Modena (Italy), March 25, 2026. After its recent entry into the McLaren world, Raptor Engineering is ready to make its debut in the GT3 category. For the first time, in 2026, the Modena-based team will compete at the highest levels of the Italian GT Sprint Championship. Following several GT Cup class title, the team led by Andrea Palma and Isabelle Maserati is now taking on the overall challenge and will enter the #59 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo in a striking orange-black-blue livery for a new, young and ambitious driver line-up formed by McLaren factory driver Dean MacDonald and Riccardo Cazzaniga.
MacDonald, a 2000-born from Scotland, is a well-known protagonist of the international motorsport scene and will make his debut in the Italian GT. Cazzaniga, on the other hand, has already competed and won at national level, but the Italian 1997-born driver from Monza will be making his first appearance behind the wheel of a McLaren GT3. In preparation for what promises to be a challenging season, Raptor Engineering has already completed a test in Imola where Italian GT Sprint Championship will kick off on April 25-26. The season will then continue in Vallelunga, Mugello and Monza. In addition to GT3, Raptor Engineering confirms its previously announced 2026 plans with the McLaren Artura Trophy Evo both in the McLaren Trophy Europe and in the GT Cup category of the Italian GT Championship.
Andrea Palma, Team Principal at Raptor Engineering: “Our GT3 debut with McLaren with such an important programme and driver line-up marks the beginning of a new era for the team. Aiming for growth and further horizons, this is only the start of a long-term project that will require a lot of effort from us. The goal is to work and perform well alongside McLaren, as already done during the first test on track. The team is discovering the 720S GT3 Evo and feedback and data collected so far have been promising. We are also excited about the drivers and how they started to work together. We are aware that we will be competing at the top of the Italian GT Championship: for the team, this is not only a ‘general upgrade’ but also a matter of responsibility. We have to prove that we are up to the challenge, I am sure the team will head to Imola well-prepared and tight-knit”.
Dean MacDonald: “Extremely happy and excited to be racing in the Italian GT with Raptor Engineering and Riccardo. Italian GT is a new experience for me so I am looking forward to that challenge. It will be the first time for the team running the McLaren GT3 in a championship but we recently done a test that went very well so I have a lot of confidence that everyone can get on top of it quickly and we can fight for strong results”.
Riccardo Cazzaniga: “I am really happy to be part of such a prestigious programme, which also allows me to connect with a car manufacturer that is rapidly growing in the GT3 scene. A new project with a new team: I’m sure this is a great opportunity and with McLaren’s support we will have a positive season. As the reigning Italian GT Endurance champion, this year the target will be the Sprint series. We can’t hide our targets: the goal is to win. Our line-up includes an official driver who will also be a reference for me and after our first test on track I can say there are all the premises for a successful season”.
