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British GT title rivals to face off in WEC as Cottingham joins United Autosports

The two 2023 British GT title protagonists will both graduate to the World Endurance Championship's new LMGT3 class this year, with the announcement of James Cottingham's move to United Autosports.

The bronze-graded Briton will partner Gregoire Saucy, the 2021 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine champion switching to sportscars after two years in Formula 3, and a yet-to-be announced third driver aboard a McLaren 720S GT3.

His WEC switch means Cottingham will once again battle with Darren Leung, who was announced at the WRT BMW squad last week alongside Augusto Farfus and Sean Gelael, after their season-long tussle for the British GT title in 2023.

Cottingham was narrowly defeated by Leung and Dan Harper after a penalty in the final round at Donington for overtaking under yellow flags demoted the 2 Seas Mercedes he shared with Philip Ellis to tenth, as Leung and Harper's Century BMW secured the crown by storming to second.

Accomplished historic racer Cottingham has previous experience in the 720S from racing for 7TSIX in the 2023 Dubai 24 Hours, and has entered this year's Asian Le Mans Series with Optimum Motorsport with a best result to date of fifth in Sepang.

"It has been a dream of mine since I was a boy to race at Le Mans and compete in a World Championship and after only two and a half years of racing in modern motorsport, I didn’t think I would get this opportunity,” said Cottingham.

"With everything I’ve done over the last two years including British GT, the Gulf 12 Hours, Spa 24 Hours and Dubai 24 Hours, I’m ready for this new challenge.

Source: Autosport

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