April 10, 2025 — In a thrilling announcement that has motorsport fans buzzing around the globe, McLaren Racing confirmed its return to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) starting in the 2027 season. The return marks a full-circle moment for the iconic British marque, who famously conquered the 24 Hours of Le Mans on its debut in 1995 with the legendary McLaren F1 GTR.
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, shared the news with palpable excitement, stating, “Le Mans 1995 is where we secured a legendary win at the first attempt, and I can’t wait for the team to make history once again. We’re back!” That victory — with drivers JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas, and Masanori Sekiya — cemented McLaren’s place in endurance racing folklore. Now, the team aims to rekindle that spirit in the modern Hypercar era of WEC.
Rejoining the World Stage
The FIA World Endurance Championship has become one of the most technologically advanced and globally prestigious series in motorsport, featuring iconic races like the 1000 Miles of Sebring, the 6 Hours of Spa, and, of course, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The top class, known as Hypercar, has attracted manufacturer giants like Toyota, Ferrari, Porsche, Peugeot, BMW, Alpine, and Cadillac. Now, McLaren adds its name to the mix, promising to shake up the grid with a blend of innovation, performance, and racing heritage.
Though McLaren has not revealed full technical details yet, speculation is already mounting that the team will enter a Hypercar built to either LMH or LMDh regulations. Given McLaren’s deep ties to hybrid technology through its Formula 1 and road car divisions, fans are expecting a cutting-edge machine capable of challenging for the overall win.
From F1 to WEC — Expanding the Brand
McLaren’s entry into the WEC aligns with its broader strategy of global racing participation. Already a major force in Formula 1 and active competitors in IndyCar and Formula E, this move marks the next step in McLaren’s mission to become a dominant name across multiple racing disciplines. Endurance racing offers a new challenge — one that emphasizes not just speed, but reliability, strategy, and teamwork over grueling multi-hour contests.
This announcement comes at a time when interest in Le Mans and endurance racing is surging, with recent rule changes and competitive parity bringing the golden age of sports car racing roaring back to life. The return of such a prestigious name only adds to the excitement.
A Return to Glory?
Can McLaren repeat the fairy-tale debut of 1995? That remains to be seen, but the ambition is clear. The Woking-based team isn’t entering the WEC just to compete — they’re coming to win.
With more details set to be unveiled in the coming months, including the identity of the drivers, technical partners, and the design of the race car, all eyes will be on McLaren as it prepares to return to endurance racing’s grandest stage.
One thing is for sure: Le Mans just got a whole lot more interesting.
Stay tuned for updates on McLaren’s WEC program, including driver announcements, car development, and key milestones on the road to 2027.
