Barclay to lead McLaren United AS Hypercar program

Thirty years after winning the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time, McLaren has officially announced the launch of the new McLaren Racing Endurance team – McLaren United AS – which will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar class beginning in 2027.

Having announced back in April its plans to enter the premier category of the WEC with an LMDh prototype, McLaren shared key details about its program today. The new McLaren Hypercar will be designed internally and run in conjunction with two-time Le Mans 24 Hours class-winning team United Autosports. The new McLaren prototype will be powered by a V6 twin-turbo engine designed by McLaren Racing and McLaren Automotive, with the chassis to be supplied by Italian constructor Dallara.

James Barclay (pictured above) will join as team principal of McLaren United AS, beginning in September. Barclay will join McLaren after concluding his work as managing drector of JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) Motorsport and team principal of the Jaguar TCS Racing Formula E team in July.

Barclay was a fundamental figure in establishing the Jaguar Formula E team in 2016, and led the marque to its first motorsport world championship win since 1991.

"I am honored to be joining a brand with such an incredible history of racing excellence," Barclay said. "The passion and commitment to success that McLaren Racing embodies is something I’ve always admired. I look forward to the challenge of building a team that competes at the highest level of racing and represents the pioneering spirit that McLaren is known for."

Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO, said: "McLaren Racing’s return to the FIA World Endurance Championship marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for us, and James’s leadership will be crucial in guiding us through the coming months as we prepare for our 2027 entry. We have a rich history in the sport, and with James at the helm, we are confident that McLaren Endurance Racing will quickly establish itself as a competitive and successful team.

"I’m looking forward to seeing the team’s future take shape under his leadership and can’t wait to give fans an exclusive preview of our 2027 race car."

That preview will come tomorrow, before the start of the 93rd Le Mans 24 Hours, when McLaren will reveal its Hypercar challenger at the Manufacturers' Village in Le Mans.