Honda looks set to launch WEC Hypercar program for 2027

After much deliberation, Honda appears to be on the cusp of confirming a Hypercar program in time for the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship.

The Japanese brand, which is represented in IMSA GTP with the Acura ARX-06 LMDh and a program operated by HRC USA and Meyer Shank Racing, has been exploring the potential of rebranding its challenger as a Honda since the car debuted in 2023.

It is known to have held talks with the ACO about entering cars as a one-off at Le Mans, but due to the FIA WEC's strict rules that allow only full-time manufacturers to enter the 24 Hours, the requests were refused. This left Honda to find a solution that would see it enter the world championship on a full-time basis in order to compete at La Sarthe.

If current advanced discussions reach a positive conclusion, RACER understands via multiple industry sources that a program based in Europe is coming together, and that final approval from Japan could be imminent. The effort would be Honda-branded and would involve a rebadged Acura ARX-06.

While HRC is known to have had discussions with a number of teams about potential privateer efforts, including entries into the new Asian Le Mans Series Pro-Am Hypercar class in 2026/27, this is a separate, factory-blessed project.

If the program is confirmed, Honda would most likely join both Ford and McLaren as a 2027 WEC debutant, with a platform that has already won multiple races, including the Rolex 24 At Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.

RACER understands from these same sources that Polish LMP2 team Inter Europol Competition is the most likely appointee as service provider if the effort is confirmed. RACER approached the team in the Asian Le Mans Series paddock in Dubai earlier today for a comment but was met with a polite refusal.

Inter Europol made its sports car racing debut 10 years ago in the ELMS’ LMP3 ranks and has become one of the most successful LMP2 teams of the current generation. Its most significant achievements have come at the Le Mans 24 Hours, where it has scored two class wins and a second-place finish in the last three editions of the French endurance classic.

Its other headline successes have come in IMSA's WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, where it claimed the LMP2 title in 2024, took a class win at the Sebring 12 Hours in 2025, and most recently finished second and third in last weekend's Rolex 24. The team also competes in the European Le Mans Series and Asian Le Mans Series, frequently fighting for wins and titles.

With significant commercial punch to bring to the fray, any program with Honda is set to see the Polish team involved to some degree in the financial package to enable the effort.

The prospective WEC program is understood to have no impact on the future of the Acura GTP program in IMSA.