WOKING, UK – April 24, 2026 — McLaren is officially returning to the top flight of endurance racing. Today, the legendary marque confirmed that its contender for the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be named the McLaren MCL-HY.
The announcement marks a historic homecoming for the brand, aligning its endurance efforts with its Formula 1 identity through the “MCL” prefix. Alongside the race car, McLaren also revealed Project: Endurance, an ultra-exclusive program centered around the MCL-HY GTR a track-only variant designed for private clients.
A Unified Racing Identity
The MCL-HY designation signals a new era of synergy between McLaren Racing and McLaren Automotive. By adopting the naming convention of its Grand Prix cars, McLaren is reinforcing a singular motorsport identity.
“Taking the McLaren name back to the pinnacle of sportscar racing is a huge milestone,” said James Barclay, Executive Director of McLaren Endurance Racing. “We are in a golden era of sportscar racing, and our new car name shows respect to the success of the Hypercar category.”
The MCL-HY GTR: For the Driven Few
For collectors and track enthusiasts, the MCL-HY GTR represents the pinnacle of McLaren’s track-car lineage. Following in the footsteps of the F1 GTR, P1 GTR, and Senna GTR, this model is touted as the brand’s most uncompromising creation yet.
Owners of the GTR variant will gain:
- Direct Access: Insight into a world-class professional endurance program.
- Adrenaline-Fueled Events: Participation in the “Project: Endurance” track day circuit.
- Authentic Performance: A pure, non-homologated experience of the FIA Hypercar platform.
Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, Chief Commercial Officer of McLaren Automotive, noted: “This badge stands for moments that define McLaren… we are writing the next chapter for our most focused and authentic track cars.”
Save the Date: May 4
The world won’t have to wait long to see the new challenger. McLaren has confirmed a full reveal of both the MCL-HY and the GTR variant on May 4.
The reveal is expected to feature a bespoke “test livery” ahead of the car’s first official rollout. As the WEC enters its most competitive phase in decades, McLaren’s entry adds a final, missing piece to a grid already teeming with legendary manufacturers.
Technical Snapshot: What We Know
- Class: FIA Hypercar (WEC/IMSA)
- Debut: 2027 Season
- Pedigree: Developed via collaboration between McLaren Racing and McLaren Automotive
- The GTR Version: Part of the hyper-exclusive “Project: Endurance” ecosystem
