McLaren Barcelona - SMC Motorsport is doubling down on its commitment to the Iberian Supercars and Supercars España championships by fielding two brand-new McLaren Artura GT4s in 2025.
The Spanish team has been a consistent presence in the competition since 2021, racing their exotic McLaren 570S GT4s. In 2022, they clinched the Teams' Championship title in the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade and were in contention for the drivers' crown until the final race.
For the upcoming season, McLaren Barcelona - SMC Motorsport is placing its bets on the latest machine from the Woking-based brand for the GT4 category, the Artura, with which they hope to return to the fight for top positions.
"As a team, we are approaching this season with a clear ambition: to fight for the top positions in each category and to reclaim the championship title, as we did in 2022. This year is particularly important for us, with a strengthened lineup consisting of two McLaren Artura GT4s and four drivers ready to compete at the highest level," said Emilio de Villota, the team principal of McLaren Barcelona – SMC Motorsport. He added: "Our goal is clear: to be in the fight for victory in every race of one of the most competitive GT4 championships in Europe. To achieve this, we also have a technical team whose experience from the last few European seasons will be key to tackling this challenge with confidence. McLaren Barcelona SMC Motorsport is ready for the battle."
In one of the spectacular Artura GT4s will be the Portuguese duo of José Cautela and Lourenço Monteiro, entered in the GT4 Pro Bronze division. This marks Cautela's debut in the championship, while the young driver, who was part of the FPAK Junior Team in 2023, competed in several races last year driving a McLaren 570S GT4 for the Spanish outfit.
"I am very happy and excited about this season. I think we have all the ingredients to succeed this year. I am already focused on the first race, aiming to achieve the best possible result," said José Cautela, who in 2018 participated in a few TCR Portugal races in a Team Novadriver Volkswagen Golf GTi.
Meanwhile, Lourenço Monteiro is "absolutely delighted to join McLaren Barcelona – SMC Motorsport for a full season, after two successful weekends together last year. We achieved good results with the McLaren 570S GT4, and that experience has given me confidence for this season. With the new McLaren Artura GT4 and this fantastic team behind us, I am sure we will be stronger and ready to fight for the top positions."
The Spanish team will announce the driver lineup for the second Artura GT4 in the coming days but is also considering expanding its team for this season. "We are still evaluating the possibility of entering the McLaren 570S GT4s in the GTX division, a model that has brought us much joy in the past and remains a benchmark in the competition," emphasised Emilio de Villota.
The starting grid is growing, promising a season full of excitement. The Iberian Supercars, Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade, and Supercars España season kicks off in just three weeks at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve on 5th and 6th April. The official pre-season test will take place at the Autódromo do Estoril this coming Saturday.
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