Newey to race GT40 at Le Mans

The leading designer in Formula One, Adrian Newey, is planning to branch out into historic motorsport.

McLaren’s technical chief has acquired a Ford GT40 and is planning to compete in both the Le Mans Classic and the Whitsun Trophy at Goodwood in 2004.

Newey has previously contested classic rallies in his Jaguar S S100, but never pursued driving before embarking on his F1 career, during which he was responsible for the design of five world championship-winning cars.

In the closing weeks of the 2003 national racing season he raced a Ferrari F355 in order to gain upgrading signatures on his licence.