McLaren signs Laurens Vanthoor for WEC, MCL-HY hypercar completes shakedown

McLaren has added Belgian racer Laurens Vanthoor to its World Endurance Championship roster for the 2027 season, just days after the MCL-HY hypercar completed its maiden shakedown in Italy. The 35-year-old joins from Porsche, where he scored three hypercar wins between 2023 and 2025, including last year's victory in Austin.

Why it matters:

McLaren is returning to the top tier of endurance racing for the first time in decades, aiming to complete the 'triple crown' of motorsport — Monaco Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500, and Le Mans 24 Hours. The WEC program, run alongside their dominant Formula 1 and IndyCar efforts, signals a full‑court press on sportscar racing's biggest prize.

The details:

• Vanthoor signing: The Belgian, a former Porsche factory driver, becomes the second driver confirmed for McLaren's WEC effort, following Dane Mikkel Jensen who was signed in January.
• Vanthoor's motivation: “I’ve made no secret that everything I do is geared towards an overall win at Le Mans. It keeps me awake at night. For me, McLaren was the clear choice — they are as obsessed with winning as I am.”
• Shakedown success: The MCL‑HY turned its first laps at Autodromo Riccardo Paletti (near Dallara's headquarters) on May 6. Jensen was at the wheel, joined by development drivers Gregoire Saucy, Richard Verschoor, and Ben Hanley (United Autosports). Jensen reported: “We went through all our run plan — system checks, gearbox, engine, software. Everything worked. Now we optimise the car.”
• Team principal James Barclay: “We wrote this date down over a year ago. We wanted to be on track in early May. Just after 9am we left the pitlane and fired up the IC engine. 2026 is our test year; we get the team ready to face world‑class competition and, of course, the Le Mans 24 Hours.”

What's next:

McLaren will spend the rest of 2026 testing and developing the MCL‑HY, with a full season debut planned for 2027. The team is not underestimating the challenge, but Barclay believes they “have a fantastic starting point” and a car that can “realise our dream of getting back onto that podium.” Vanthoor, Jensen, and a yet‑to‑be‑named third driver will lead the charge.