Motorsport Magazine
WEC ·
McLaren MCL-HY makes its debut at Varano with the first official tests of the new Hypercar set for FIA WEC 2027 and the Le Mans challenge.
Ultimogiro Newsroom · 7 May 2026 · 4 min read
McLaren has fired up the engine of its return to world endurance racing. At the Varano de’ Melegari circuit, the new MCL-HY completed the first kilometres of its history, officially launching the programme that will bring the Woking manufacturer to the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2027.
An eagerly awaited moment in the international paddock for months, and now it becomes reality. Images of the English Hypercar quickly went around the world: papaya livery, aggressive lines and a visual identity strongly tied to McLaren's racing DNA. But behind the aesthetic impact lies above all an ambitious technical project, built to bring the British brand back into the fight for outright victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The MCL-HY represents much more than a new competition car. It is the symbol of McLaren's official return to the premier class of endurance racing, in an era in which the WEC has become the most competitive championship in world motorsport.
The new McLaren is developed according to the LMDh regulations, a solution chosen by numerous manufacturers to contain costs and development times without sacrificing performance.
The chassis is by Dallara, a guarantee of experience and reliability in prototype racing, while the heart of the car is a twin-turbo hybrid V6 developed by Autotecnica Motori. A technical choice that confirms McLaren's desire to focus on a compact, efficient and highly advanced project from an aerodynamic point of view.
During the first tests at Varano, the team focused mainly on the integration of the electronic systems, the management of the hybrid powertrain and the verification of the car's overall reliability. Fundamental kilometres for a completely new Hypercar, tasked with taking on one of the toughest championships on the international scene.
The first impressions, however, appear encouraging. The car's behaviour seemed immediately stable and the sound of the V6, also shared through the team's social channels, has already sparked the enthusiasm of fans.
The first person to take the MCL-HY out on track was Mikkel Jensen, chosen by McLaren as the initial development reference. The Dane completed the first runs on an extremely delicate programme: software checks, safety procedures and data collection on the hybrid systems.
At the end of the session, Jensen did not hide his emotion for a moment destined to enter the recent history of the British brand. The driver explained that he immediately felt the project's potential and that he is proud to be able to contribute to the birth of the new McLaren Hypercar.
His words describe a team that is already very compact, with a squad that seems to have clear ideas about the path to follow in the coming months. It is no coincidence that McLaren decided to begin the development programme well ahead of the official debut: the level of the Hypercar category demands absolute preparation.
On the second day of testing, the steering wheel passed to Grégoire Saucy, another key name in McLaren's endurance programme. The Swiss driver worked in difficult weather conditions, tackling a track made treacherous by rain.
Situations that can, however, prove valuable in the initial development phase. The engineers were in fact able to collect important data on the car's behaviour in variable grip conditions, beginning to build the first set-up base.
Saucy described it as a special experience, underlining the privilege of being able to take part in such an ambitious project from its very first phases. The McLaren programme will now continue with a long series of private tests throughout 2026, a decisive year for preparing the official debut in the world endurance championship.
Behind the MCL-HY project there is a much broader strategy. McLaren wants to be a protagonist simultaneously in the three main categories of world motorsport: Formula 1, IndyCar and endurance.
Entry into the FIA WEC therefore represents a fundamental piece of the British manufacturer's sporting vision. The stated objective is to return to winning Le Mans and pursue that Triple Crown that has always been part of McLaren's identity.
Team principal James Barclay described the car's track debut as a historic step, explaining how meeting the scheduled deadlines already represents a first technical and organisational success. But the most important message concerns the ambitions: McLaren is not entering the WEC to take part, it is entering to compete at the top.
McLaren's return comes at an unrepeatable moment for the FIA WEC. The Hypercar category has become the centre of world motorsport thanks to the official presence of Ferrari, Porsche, Toyota, BMW, Cadillac, Peugeot, Alpine, Lamborghini and Aston Martin.
A fierce competition that will make the MCL-HY's debut extremely difficult. But precisely this scenario makes Woking's project even more fascinating.
The first kilometres completed at Varano are only the beginning. The road to Le Mans 2027 is still long, but McLaren has finally begun its journey. And the message launched from the British pits is already crystal clear: the future of endurance also speaks papaya.
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