United Recruits Baud, Retains Cottingham for No. 59 McLaren

Photo: United Autosports

United Autosports has announced its remaining drivers for the upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship season, recruiting Sebastien Baud and retaining the services of James Cottingham for its No. 59 McLaren LMGT3 entry.

Silver-rated Baud and Bronze-rated Cottingham join the previously-announced Gregoire Saucy in one of the Anglo-American squad’s McLaren 720S GT3 Evos for the eight-round WEC campaign that kicks off in Qatar in late February.

United had already revealed the lineup for the No. 95 car, with Marino Sato being joined by Darren Leung and Sean Gelael for the new season.

Baud makes the switch to United after spending last season with the TF Sport Corvette team, and effectively replaces Nicolas Costa as the car’s designated Silver driver.

The Frenchman scored a best result of third in the Bahrain season-closer alongside teammates Daniel Juncadella and Hiroshi Koizumi.

“I am very proud to join United Autosports, a major motorsport team with a wealth of experience, and McLaren Automotive for my second year in the World Endurance Championship,” commented Baud.

“With one year already discovering this fabulous championship at the highest level of motorsport, I am ready to give my all for this team and my teammates. I am really looking forward to this new season starting.

“Thank you to the United Autosports team, McLaren Automotive and all the people behind this fabulous project.”

Cottingham meanwhile is looking to build on a rookie season with United in which he scored a trio of fourth-place finishes at Spa, Sao Paulo and the Circuit of The Americas.

“I am super excited to come back with United Autosports and McLaren for another crack at the WEC,” said Cottingham.

“We had a strong season last year, just unfortunately without any podiums or wins. However, we were just getting started and this year we’re going to hit the ground running.

“We’ve got a super strong line-up in both cars, and I’m very confident that United Autosports and McLaren are going to deliver some very exciting results in 2025.”