Sam De Haan and Charlie Fagg join Optimum Motorsport for 2023 GT Open campaign

Optimum Motorsport are delighted to welcome Sam De Haan to the team as the Wakefield-based outfit confirm their return to the International GT Open stage for 2023, with Charlie Fagg completing car #69’s roster.

Albeit 2023 will be a new venture for De Haan in McLaren GT3 machinery, the Silver-rated driver is no stranger to GT Open’s competition, having claimed the overall race win at Red Bull Ring back in September 2021, and a second-place finish in Pro-Am the year prior in the Styrian Hills.

For Fagg, it’s a return to familiarity, as having been announced as one of four young drivers on McLaren’s new driver development programme back in 2017, he contested in the British manufacturers’ GT4 from 2018 to 2021.

Despite their newness to the team, De Haan and Fagg are familiar with each other, having raced together in TF Sport-backed Aston Martin teams in the two-week, four-race Asian Le Mans Series as well as the European Le Mans Series throughout 2022.

The International GT Open is a grand tourer-style sports car racing series exclusive to GT3 cars, consisting of events across various European countries featuring two races over a weekend at F1-graded circuits.

Following their Pro-Am crown in 2021 and their overall Vice-Champions title in 2022, Optimum Motorsport will be looking to continue their success in the series into 2023 and beyond. Round 1 of the International GT Open championship gets underway over the weekend 29-30 April at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal.

Previewing the new season, Sam explained: “I am really excited to confirm the first plans for the new 2023 season, and to be joining Optimum Motorsport. It will be great to push myself with a new challenge in a full season of International GTOpen, and I am really looking forward to driving the 720S GT3. Optimum have proven they know what it takes to win races and championships with the McLaren, and it is great to be partnering with Charlie who has really helped me get to grips with the car already. The calendar visits some of the best circuits, and we will be pushing for strong results straight out of the box, so let’s see what we can do!” ‍

International GT Open 2023 calendar

Round 1: Portimão - 29 - 30 April

Round 2: Spa-Francorchamps - 27 - 28 May

Round 3: Hungaroring - 17 - 18 June

Round 4: Paul Ricard - 22 - 23 July

Round 5: Red Bull Ring - 9 - 10 September

Round 6: Monza - 23 - 24 September

Round 7: Barcelona - 21 - 22 October