Greystone GT are delighted to announce that Jayden Kelly and Michael O’Brien will join forces for the McLaren Trophy Europe in 2025.
The duo will race the latest Evo-spec version of the McLaren Artura Trophy car and will go for outright championship honours in the all-new ‘Pro’ class.
Jayden and Michael were present at the 2024 McLaren Trophy Europe prizegiving ceremony at McLaren Technology Centre in Woking on Saturday, where they saw their 2025 race car for the first time.
Australian Jayden, 18, only began karting competitively in 2021 and stepped up to cars this year in the McLaren Trophy Europe.
He immediately impressed - scoring his first race win at the second round of the series at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium and finishing third in the Championship.
Michael, from Milton Keynes, is one of the most experienced McLaren drivers in the world and is the still the only member of the constructor’s Driver Development Programme to have subsequently graduated to full factory-driver status.
He has won the overall, GT3 and GTH titles in the UK’s GT Cup aboard McLaren race cars and has taken race wins in the British GT Championship, McLaren Trophy Europe and the series now known as GB3.
A star of the historic motor racing scene, he has been a championship winner in single-seaters plus a race winner at the Goodwood Revival, Members’ Meeting and Silverstone Festival.
Michael is also an ambassador of British Army Motorsport. Acknowledging this unique position, the #17 McLaren will compete in a camouflage livery to reflect the developing relationship between Michael, Greystone GT and the British Army.
Jayden and Michael are the second crew announced by Silverstone-based Greystone GT, who are aiming to add to the Teams’ title they secured in 2023 and the 570S Trophy Drivers’ crown they won this year.
The 2025 McLaren Trophy Europe consists of five rounds, starting – for the first time – in the UK on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit on May 3-4.
Every event supports the ultra-popular GT World Challenge Europe with its centrepiece being a double-header in support of the 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium on June 26-29.
Jayden Kelly said: “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel with the fantastic team at Greystone GT as we start our Pro category campaign in 2025. Last season was an incredible experience, with memories I’ll have for a lifetime, especially my maiden race victory. Now I’m ready to chase down the title in the Pro category. Driving alongside Michael and with the winning expertise of the Greystone GT team behind me, I’ll give it everything I have out on track. A massive thank you to the whole team, I can’t wait to get going!”
Michael O’Brien said: “I’m honoured to join Greystone GT and to be back on the grid in McLaren Trophy Europe for 2025. I’ll be teaming up with Jayden, which is exciting following his debut season. The team at Greystone GT have been superb and I’m confident that we have all the tools we need to succeed. I’m already working hard with them behind the scenes to make sure we arrive at Brands Hatch for the opening round fighting for race wins.”
Mark McLoughlin, Team Principal, said: “We’re excited to add Jayden and Michael to our McLaren Trophy Europe line-up for 2025 as we aim to make it titles in three successive seasons. Michael’s talent and experience make him a perfect fit for Greystone GT, while Jayden has proven his speed with a very impressive race-winning rookie campaign. I think together we have everything we need to fight for wins on a regular basis. Having an all-Pro lineup will help support and drive performance for our Pro-Am crews. This is of huge importance to the team as we aim for success in every category. It’s set to be a very exciting season.”
