Elite Motorsport will feature two exciting driver line-ups in this year’s GT4 European Series after confirming Harri Reynolds and Yani Stevenheydens will both switch from single-seaters to share its second McLaren Artura GT4.
The British team has already announced rising stars McKenzy Cresswell and Charlie Hart will handle its #78 Artura and now returns to full strength with a promising second pairing aboard the #77. The last time Elite ran twin McLarens for a full campaign, it celebrated a Silver Drivers’ and Teams’ double in 2024.
Welsh driver Reynolds, 19, rejoins Elite after a partial GB4 Championship single-seater campaign in 2023 where he scored a race victory at Silverstone and two further podium finishes. He finished seventh overall in the 2019 British Kart Championship before switching to the Ginetta Junior Championship, finishing 11th (2021) then fourth (2022) prior to selected races in the F4 British Championship over the past two years.
Reynolds made his GT4 debut in the Dubai 24 Hours at the start of this year, claiming a podium finish aboard a Toyota Supra GT4. He then celebrated two podium finishes in the recent GT4 Winter Series finale at Barcelona in his first outing in an Elite McLaren.
Belgian Stevenheydens, 20, had an extensive karting career, claiming the 2020 IAME Series Benelux X30 Junior title after finishing third the previous year. He finished second in French Formula 4 in 2024 and has since competed in Eurocup-3 and Eurocup-4 in Spain plus Eurocup-3 series throughout Europe. This will be his first season of GT racing.
Both drivers will be making their GT4 Europe debut this season and could be ones to watch alongside their more experienced team-mates in the sister car.
Harri Reynolds says: “I tested the Artura GT4 at the end of 2023 and got the chance to race it at the final GT4 Winter Series event earlier this month in Barcelona, picking up a third-place then a second with Fred Green. Being new to the GT4 European Series and fairly new to the McLaren, it’s hard to set too much expectation but we have to aim high, learn as fast as we can and go for the championship!
“My time at Elite in 2023 was an amazing time. They helped me make the step out of Ginetta Juniors in great fashion. I’ve known [team boss] Ed [Ives] and Elite from racing against them in Ginettas. That time in GB4 really showed what a great team they are, dedicated to winning and supporting drivers on their way through the ranks.”
Yani Stevenheydens says: “I’ve been given an amazing opportunity by Elite to compete in GT4, they’re a top team having won the European Series previously, so the decision was easy. This will be my first season racing with a ‘roof’ over my head having only sat in the McLaren Artura for the very first time this week.
“I’m in good hands at Elite to develop as a driver myself with the guidance of the team to get some good results. Although I have no prior racing experience with the GT4, I’m aiming to win the series together with Harri. I am certain with the McLaren and Elite ‘package’, we will have the opportunity to fight for the title.”
Elite Motorsport head Eddie Ives says: “We’re delighted to be expanding our GT4 European Series programme with the addition of a second McLaren alongside the #78 Artura. Running two cars gives us a stronger overall presence on the grid and allows us to build even more momentum as a team across the season as we did in 2024.
“It’s great to have Harri back with us after a successful Winter Series event and to welcome Yani, who brings a strong single-seater background as he makes the transition into GT racing. It’s a really exciting driver line-up and having two cars creates a great environment for both crews to push each other and continue developing.
“We’re looking forward to a competitive and consistent campaign in what is a very strong championship.”