McLaren factory driver Benjamin (Benji) Goethe has been getting used to America lately. In September, he raced on U.S. soil for the first time during the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Earlier this month, Benji made his IMSA WeatherTech Championship debut at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta at Motul Petit Le Mans.
Goethe is the third driver for RLL Team McLaren (of course). Dean McDonald was the third driver at Daytona and Sebring, but conflict with GT World Challenge Europe had him in Barcelona. Therefore, the opportunity opened for Goethe and he pounced on the chance. GT REPORT sat down with Benji to talk about his first IMSA start.
Plenty To Love…
Emphatically, Goethe was very complimentary of Road Atlanta on his first visit to the track. “It’s a cool track,” Goethe says. “Gives a very old school vibe.” The track is one of the many variables that give Petit Le Mans its charm. A capacity field of fifty-four cars across the four class will race simultaneously on the 2.54-mile circuit. Goethe, like many in the paddock, recognize the elephant in the room. “(The short lap) is hard for traffic management.”
Goethe also had positive words for the IMSA paddock. “I have a very good first impression so far.” With competing in a new series for the first time, the young German did acknowledge adjustments are necessary. He will have to get accustomed to one element in particular. “There will be some differences to what I am used to, especially with safety car restarts.”
Modest Outlook
Goethe is the pro driver for Garage 59’s #58 entry in his and the team’s first season in WEC – pictured at the opening round at Imola in April
Goethe has had a busy 2026 season. His primary programs include a GT World Challenge Europe Endurance campaign and joining Garage 59 in their first season in WEC. Competing in the Gold Cup in GTWC Europe, the team scored a class win in the first round at Paul Ricard in April en route to a third-place championship finish. WEC results have not been as kind. Goethe and his teammates, Finn Gehrsitz and Alexander West, sit nineteenth in points with one race remaining. The highlight of the season was a fifth at Spa in May.
With modest results elsewhere, Goethe is looking forward to Atlanta for a breath of fresh air. His objectives and goals for his first IMSA weekend are simple and straightforward. “(I want to) help the team, not do anything stupid.” As someone who is very familiar to the McLaren 720S GT3, prepping the car in practice for battle is a big reason for his selection. “I want to help get the car in a good window for the race.”
The Next Frontier?
Goethe’s 2026 McLaren in GTWC Europe – pictured at the Spa 24 Hours
At only 23, Goethe has accomplished plenty in his short career. After quickly pivoting to sportscar racing after a season in Spanish Formula 4, the British-born German (with Danish roots) quickly found a home. He showed flashes of brilliance in the Spanish GT championship in 2019. That season, he scored four wins and finished third in the final standings. In 2020, he competed with his father Roald in GT World Challenge Europe and scored a pole in a guest appearance in ADAC GT Masters.
In GTWC Europe, he continued to progress. His first class podiums in 2021 yielded to his first class victories in 2022, en route to winning the Silver class championship. His 2022 performances caught the eye of McLaren, bringing the youngster on to compete with the Garage 59 team in 2023 first in Asian Le Mans Series, then to GTWC Europe. McLaren was impressed enough to sign him as a factory driver for the 2024 season onwards.
With success in GTWC Europe, America is next on Goethe’s list. He makes it no secret that if he is given the opportunity, he’s taking it. “I would love to (do a full season). IMSA is a championship I’ve watched closely. The racing is good. I love the tracks they are very good and old school.”
Next Best Thing?
Could Goethe return with McLaren to Daytona in 2027? McLaren pictured in January 2026
If Goethe cannot get a full-season program stateside, he is at least hoping to get an opportunity to fulfill a dream. “I would love to do Daytona. It’s a bucket list race for me. The track is cool, the event in general is amazing.” With RLL Team McLaren looking likely to return to IMSA for 2027 and McLaren pondering a potential 2028 GTP effort, there may be plenty of opportunities for Goethe down the line. Goethe is a fast driver with plenty of upside and arguably his best driving is ahead of him.
When he does return to IMSA, he is hopeful his next experience will be better than his debut. The #59 RLL Team McLaren he shared with Max Esterson and Nikita Johnson had a tough Petit Le Mans. A crash during the fifth hour heavily damaged the car. While the team worked at repairing to get to the vehicle to the finish, the damage was too great. The car was retired after six hours.
Headline Photo: Benjamin Goethe signing autographs ahead of the 6 Hours of Spa in May – Photo Courtesy: Benjamin Goethe/Facebook
