RLL Team McLaren
Race Entry
About RLL Team McLaren
RLL stands for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing — one of America's most famous motorsport organizations. The team is co-owned by three prominent figures: Bobby Rahal, a former CART IndyCar champion and one of America's most respected racing figures; David Letterman, the legendary late-night television host and enthusiastic motorsport fan; and Mike Lanigan, a businessman who brings commercial acumen to the operation.
The team is best known for their IndyCar Series program, where they field multiple cars at the Indianapolis 500 and throughout the NTT IndyCar Series season. Expanding into GT racing with a McLaren partnership brings their Indianapolis experience — precision engineering, rapid pit stops, strategic racecraft — to the IMSA paddock.
The Car: McLaren 720S GT3 EVO
The McLaren 720S GT3 EVO is the GT3 racing version of McLaren's 720S supercar. The 720S road car is powered by McLaren's twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, and the GT3 version retains this powerplant while adding full racing specification: roll cage, racing slick tires, adjustable aerodynamics with a large rear wing, and all the safety equipment mandated by GT3 regulations.
McLaren's GT3 cars are known for their exceptional aerodynamic balance and mid-engine layout — the engine sits behind the driver but in front of the rear axle, giving the car excellent weight distribution and handling characteristics. The 720S GT3 EVO brings updated aerodynamics and mechanical refinements from earlier versions of the car.
IndyCar DNA in GT Racing
What does an IndyCar team bring to GT racing? The crossover benefits are real. IndyCar racing demands split-second pit stop execution, precise fuel and tire strategy, and the ability to set cars up quickly as conditions change. RLL's engineers and mechanics are trained to a standard that exceeds most customer GT teams, and their strategic thinking is shaped by the intense competition of the IndyCar Series.
The challenge is adaptation: GT3 cars handle very differently from IndyCars, endurance races require managing car wear over 12 hours rather than sprinting, and the tire compounds and pit stop regulations are completely different. RLL has successfully bridged this gap, bringing a competitive package to GTD Pro.
Matt Esterson (USA) is an American GT professional who has built a strong IMSA record across multiple seasons. His experience in the GTD Pro environment and familiarity with the McLaren platform makes him a reliable anchor for the lineup.
Ben Johnson (Great Britain) is a British professional GT driver with a career spanning European and American championships. British drivers often move between different GT series worldwide, and Johnson's experience across multiple platforms gives him technical versatility.
Jesse MacDonald (Canada) is a young Canadian rising star — one of the next generation of North American professional racers. MacDonald brings youth, hunger, and raw speed to complement the experience of his co-drivers. For young drivers, a 12-hour race like Sebring is an enormous opportunity: the extended format gives them significant seat time alongside experienced professionals, accelerating their development.
Famous Co-Owners
RLL's co-ownership by David Letterman — one of American television's most beloved personalities — brings unusual visibility to the team. Letterman is a genuine racing fan, not just a celebrity investor, and his passion for the sport adds a unique dimension to the operation's public profile.
What is GTD Pro?
GTD Pro is IMSA's top GT class, requiring fully professional driver lineups rated Platinum or Gold by the FIA. Learn more about IMSA car classes →