McLaren recruits Vanthoor for Hypercar program

Laurens Vanthoor will join McLaren’s forthcoming Hypercar program for its FIA World Endurance Championship debut in 2027, becoming the second driver confirmed for the factory effort alongside Mikkel Jensen.

The 2024 FIA WEC Hypercar Drivers’ world champion has spent the past decade as a Porsche factory driver, but will begin transitioning to the Woking marque as it ramps up the development program for its Dallara-based LMDh prototype.

In 2027, Vanthoor will juggle two programs with two brands. He will contest the IMSA GTP Endurance Cup with Porsche Penske Motorsport, while also racing full-time in the FIA WEC for McLaren Racing. He is then set to become exclusive to McLaren once his Porsche contract expires at the end of the year.

The signing comes just days after McLaren completed the full reveal of its MCL-HY Hypercar and conducted the car’s first rollout in Italy.

For Vanthoor, the move is centered around one goal: an outright victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“I’ve been fortunate to be in the right position to win many major sportscar races, but I’ve made no secret that, in recent years, everything I do is geared towards an overall win at Le Mans," he explained. 

“I’m not even joking when I say it keeps me awake at night. We came so close last year and, when the Porsche Penske Motorsport WEC program ended, I had to consider which team on the grid could give me the best chance of winning.

“For me, the choice was clearly McLaren Racing. They are at the top of their game in Formula 1 and IndyCar, and I believe the same will be true in WEC. They are as obsessed with winning as I am and, together, we’ll do what it takes. I’d also like to thank everyone at Porsche for an incredible decade of racing, I am fully committed to finishing our journey together with more trophies, and I am grateful for your support in helping me to chase my dream.”

James Barclay, who leads McLaren Racing’s endurance program, said Porsche’s willingness to allow Vanthoor to join his team early was key to making the deal happen.

“His experience, speed and sportscar racing skillset is an asset to our new McLaren Hypercar team," Barclay added. "When we first started speaking, it was incredibly clear how committed and focused he is to be successful at Le Mans and in the World Endurance Championship.

"This hunger and commitment along with his sportscar racing experience makes him a great fit for our new team. I also know and have seen how much it means for him to join McLaren after a fantastic career with Porsche. We must thank Porsche for enabling Laurens to be part of our test program in 2026.

"In Laurens, they have helped develop one of the greatest sportscar drivers in the world, and we’re delighted that the opportunity arose to bring him into the McLaren Hypercar Team.”