Ben Barnicoat will undertake his first full British GT Championship campaign in 2026 after signing with Optimum Motorsport to partner Morgan Tillbrook in a McLaren 720S GT3 Evo reports Jurek Biegus from GT REPORT.
Widely regarded as one of the leading GT racers of his generation, Barnicoat brings global pedigree to the grid. The 29-year-old has represented Lexus in North America since 2022 and remains a key figure in international GT competition. However, despite his success abroad, a complete season in his domestic championship has until now eluded him.
That changes this year.
Barnicoat’s familiarity with the McLaren platform runs deep. A former factory driver for the Woking marque, he knows the 720S GT3 Evo intimately, and he also arrives with prior experience of Optimum’s operation, having raced with the team at the Bathurst 12 Hour and previously under the Inception Racing banner.
His most recent British GT outing came as a one-off appearance at Silverstone in 2023, five years after a short GT4 programme. Now, 2026 marks his first sustained title bid on home soil – a campaign he will balance alongside another season in IMSA competition.
“I’m really excited to be competing in British GT this year alongside Morgan with Optimum Motorsport,” Barnicoat said. “Morgan’s a proven force in this series and I’ve already had success with this team, so I’m confident we can have further success together in 2026.”
For Tillbrook, the partnership represents a statement of intent. Entering his second season with Optimum and sixth year aboard a McLaren 720S, he came within touching distance of the title fight last term. Alongside Marvin Kirchhöfer, he arrived at the season finale as one of four drivers still in mathematical contention before ultimately finishing seventh in a tightly contested championship.
A third-place finish in 2022 remains Tillbrook’s strongest overall result, but with Barnicoat’s experience added to the line-up, expectations inevitably rise.
On paper, the combination blends international success with domestic consistency. Barnicoat contributes top-tier endurance racing credentials and manufacturer experience, while Tillbrook offers established British GT racecraft and championship knowledge. In a series often decided by marginal gains and strategic nuance, that balance could prove decisive.
The British GT field assembles at Silverstone for Media Day on March 31, before the 2026 season opener takes place at the Northamptonshire circuit on April 25–26. With Barnicoat committing to a full campaign for the first time, Optimum’s McLaren entry immediately positions itself among the headline contenders for the GT3 crown.
