McLaren Aims to Reclaim Le Mans Glory with 2027 Hypercar Entry
McLaren's finally done teasing us. The Woking outfit has officially committed to the FIA World Endurance Championship's Hypercar class beginning in 2027.
It's about damn time.
McLaren hasn't fielded a proper prototype since 1998, leaving a 29-year gap by the time they hit the grid. The announcement strategically coincides with the 30th anniversary of their legendary 1995 Le Mans domination, when the F1 GTR claimed four of the top five positions overall.
The Technical Blueprint
The program will likely utilize the LMDh platform, allowing McLaren to compete in both WEC and IMSA championships with the same car. Smart money says Dallara gets the nod as chassis supplier.
United Autosports – co-owned by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown – appears set to run the factory effort. The timing makes perfect sense with McLaren's current momentum across:
- Formula 1 resurgence with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
- Established IndyCar program
- Healthy automotive business despite economic headwinds
Hypercar Grid Gets Even More Stacked
McLaren joins an increasingly crowded Hypercar battlefield that already includes:
- Ferrari (current Le Mans champions)
- Porsche
- Toyota
- Cadillac
- BMW
- Lamborghini
- Peugeot
Ford and Hyundai's Genesis brand are also confirmed for future entries. This golden era of prototype racing hasn't seen this level of manufacturer commitment since the Group C days of the 1980s.
Power Questions Remain
While McLaren hasn't confirmed powertrain details, insiders suggest they'll tap the twin-turbo V6 architecture from their Artura road car. The 3.0-liter engine would be paired with the spec hybrid system mandated by LMDh regulations.
The program represents a serious commitment, with two years of development before the first race. McLaren's already getting their feet wet in endurance racing with the 720S GT3 Evo competing in the LMGT3 class this season.
"We're back," said Brown in the announcement. No PR fluff needed – just the promise of papaya orange prototypes hunting for outright victory at Circuit de la Sarthe once again.
