McLaren has revealed that it intends to join the FIA WEC Hypercar ranks in 2027 (subject to WEC Selection Committee approval) with a short teaser clip on social media.
After years of evaluation and speculation, the Woking-based sportscar brand posted a video (with no additional details) featuring a silhouetted prototype, ahead of the programme’s full launch which is expected to take place at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. Like Ford’s recent announcement, McLaren’s makes no mention of an IMSA GTP component.
Remarkably, McLaren’s confirmation means it has become the 16th different manufacturer to commit to a race programme across Hypercar and GTP since the regulations debuted.
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“I’m excited that McLaren Racing will return to one of the world’s most challenging global racing series, the FIA WEC,” CEO Zak Brown said.
“Le Mans 1995 is where we secured a legendary win at the first attempt, and I can’t wait for the team to make history once again.
“We’re up for it. We’re back. And now, with this news, we’re going to try and win all three big (Triple Crown) races in the same year!”
DSC previously reported last November that approval in principle for a programme was given, effectively firing the starting gun for the development of a fully-funded factory LMDh programme (believed to be with Dallara as a chassis partner).
More recently Zak Brown spoke about the potential for a Hypercar bid during the WEC TV broadcast of the Qatar 1812KM back in February.
“It’s fair to say that LMGT3 was us dipping our toe back in the water, it’s a fantastic class but it would certainly be nice to see a couple of other McLarens also at the top of a different leaderboard,” he said.
“I always get excited in June. Le Mans is a must-attend. It’s a bummer it conflicts with the Montreal Grand Prix this year. But I can tell you I’ll be in France, not Canada.
“That’s a priority for us, with a nice display in the Le Mans Museum and hopefully we have some exciting stuff to talk about this year.”
2025 is the 30th anniversary of the Woking-based brand’s famous overall win at Le Mans with the F1 GTR. And it will of course be present with a pair of LMGT3 entries fielded by Brown’s private team United Autosports, which he co-owns with Richard Dean.
“We love sportscar racing,” Brown added in Qatar. “We’re the only team to have won the ‘Triple Crown’. It’d be cool to go for it again. We’re impressed with the rules, the competition.”
