McLaren has unveiled the MCL-HY, its upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar, marking the brand’s return to the top class of endurance racing from 2027.
Alongside it, the company has also introduced the MCL-HY GTR, an ultra-exclusive track car developed under the Project: Endurance programme.
The MCL-HY will see McLaren compete once again at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, completing its presence across Formula 1, IndyCar and endurance racing.
“McLaren Racing now has three race cars ready to contest the biggest motorsport series in the world… This means McLaren… can challenge for the Triple Crown.”
Zak Brown, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Racing
Developed to LMDh regulations, the MCL-HY combines a lightweight carbon fibre monocoque chassis with a hybrid powertrain.
Power comes from a twin-turbocharged V6 engine paired with a hybrid MGU system, delivering up to 520kW (707PS) to the rear wheels.
With a minimum weight of 1,030kg, the focus is not solely on outright performance, but on balance and efficiency.
The car will undergo an extensive testing programme throughout 2026, with development drivers including Mikkel Jensen, alongside McLaren Driver Development Programme members Gregoire Saucy and Richard Verschoor.
Visually, the MCL-HY has been revealed in a 2026 test livery inspired by the McLaren M6A, a nod to the brand’s Can-Am dominance in the late 1960s.
From the F1 GTR’s victory at Le Mans in 1995 to its earlier successes in Can-Am, endurance racing has long been part of McLaren’s DNA.
Running in parallel with the race car is the MCL-HY GTR, a track-only derivative designed for a select group of clients.
Unlike the race car, the GTR omits the hybrid system, relying instead on a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged engine producing around 730PS. The result is a lighter car with a more direct, less complex driving experience.
Through Project: Endurance, owners are offered a two-year programme that includes six track events across international circuits, complete with professional coaching, dedicated pit crews and engineering support.
“The MCL-HY GTR will offer an FIA Hypercar experience… unprecedented in its accessibility.”
Nick Collins, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Automotive
On-track testing for the MCL-HY begins in May 2026, with homologation planned ahead of its WEC debut in 2027.
Deliveries of the MCL-HY GTR track car are expected to commence towards the end of the same year.
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