After years of ‘will they won’t they?’ soundbites and stories on Mclaren’s potential approval of a future Hypercar programme, DSC can now report that forward momentum is finally underway.
Approval in principle for a programme is understood to have been given in recent weeks at McLaren, with progress now underway on developing a fully-funded factory programme, most likely with a 2027 starting point.
When last questioned by DSC, senior McLaren management suggested that the most likely scenario would be a factory programme in the FIA WEC, with an IMSA presence looking a less likely bolt-on and no appetite for customer cars.
The programme would be for an LMDh rules car and, whilst there is no confirmation of a confirmed chassis partner, Dallara looks the most likely choice at present.
DSC believes there are plans for rapid steps forward for the programme’s financial planning, with some sources suggesting a formal confirmation at Le Mans, 30 years after the British brand’s overall victory, is part of the over-arching strategy.
If and when confirmed, McLaren will join Aston Martin (2025) and Genesis (likely 2026 in FIA WEC with IMSA to follow) as confirmed future Hypercar factory programmes, with several others continuing formal evaluation processes. At least one additional major manufacturer is a real prospect to join that list in the coming months.
