McLaren has officially announced their return to the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours race in 2027 with a new hypercar programme. This move will see them go head-to-head with rivals Ferrari and Aston Martin in a bid to secure their first outright victory in the event since their legendary win in 1995.
The news of McLaren’s return was confirmed through a teaser video shared on Instagram, where a hypercar outline was showcased. The Formula 1 team tagged both Le Mans organizers and the FIA World Endurance Championship with a message teasing their comeback in 2027.
In a statement released by McLaren Racing, they expressed their excitement about making their mark on the world endurance stage once again. The hypercar programme is set to compete in the 2027 World Endurance Championship, aiming to recapture the glory of their iconic Le Mans victory in 1995.
It has been revealed that McLaren Racing will enter the hypercar class using the cost-controlled LMDh rules, which require teams to utilize a customer chassis and a spec hybrid system. Teams are responsible for supplying their own combustion engine, with the V6 twin turbo engine used in the Artura being a likely choice. The total output for the hypercar is capped at 670bhp, ensuring a level playing field for all competitors.
McLaren’s history at Le Mans dates back to their surprise victory in 1995 with the McLaren F1 GTR. Since then, the company has continued to develop various GT racing cars, catering to customer racing needs. McLaren Racing’s expansion into other motorsport series, including IndyCar, Formula E, and Extreme E, showcases their commitment to diversifying their racing portfolio beyond Formula 1.
With McLaren joining as the 11th manufacturer in the WEC’s hypercar division, the competition is expected to intensify. The grid currently features eight marques across the LMDh and Le Mans Hypercar classes, with Genesis set to enter next year and Ford joining the lineup in 2027.
Stay tuned for more updates on McLaren’s hypercar programme as they gear up to challenge the competition at Le Mans in 2027.
