McLaren is pushing forward with its entry into the FIA WEC's Hypercar class. The British manufacturer intends to compete in the top class of the World Endurance Championship starting in the 2027 season. The new car, designated MCL-HY, is already in the final development phase, with initial test drives expected to begin in May 2026.
With the MCL-HY, the field of manufacturers in the booming hypercar category expands further. In addition to the already established brands, Ford and McLaren will also compete for overall victories in the Sports Car World Championship starting in 2027.
For the test car's first public appearance, McLaren is clearly opting for the traditional Papaya Orange paint scheme. Visually, the design is inspired by the historic McLaren M6A, a model that company founder Bruce McLaren once intended as the basis for a Le Mans sports car. Also striking are the dynamic lines and the distinctively shaped rear of the new prototype.
The development drives are set to be led by Mikkel Jensen. The Dane is currently the only officially confirmed driver for the program. In addition, Grégoire Saucy, Richard Verschoor, and Ben Hanley will also be involved in test drives. The project's operational team will be handled by the organization United Autosports.
Technically, the MCL-HY is based on a Dallara chassis and complies with the current LMDh regulations. It uses a 2.9-liter V6 turbo engine in combination with a hybrid system. In parallel, McLaren is developing a non-homologated track day version designated MCL-HY GTR, which will not use hybrid technology.
With its entry into the World Endurance Championship, McLaren is further expanding its motorsport commitments. In addition to the FIA WEC, the manufacturer is already represented in Formula 1 and the IndyCar Series. In the long term, this also brings the so-called Triple Crown of Motorsport back into focus — victories at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.