Norris joins McLaren Hypercar test at Portimao

Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris has tested the McLaren MCL-HY Hypercar Team at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão for the McLaren Hypercar’s fifth track test.

Norris travelled to Portugal straight from the inaugural Formula 1 race on the new Circuito de Madring, where he took pole position and scored a podium finish.

It’s the British driver’s second run in the car after the Goodwood Festival of Speed during the public debut of the 2027 FIA WEC-bound car.

After an acclimatization run, Norris completed 38 laps of the 4.653 km track. His program included a number of development items.

Norris worked alongside fellow McLaren Racing factory drivers Mikkel Jensen and 2024 FIA World Endurance Hypercar drivers’ champion Laurens Vanthoor, who will officially join the team from the start of 2027.

No plans for Norris, his F1 teammate Oscar Piastri, or indeed 2027 McLaren IndyCar signing Scott Dixon to race the new Hypercar have yet been confirmed, and the 2027 F1 calendar is yet to be published.

Norris has already raced at a major 24 hour event with a one-off appearance at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2018 in an LMP2 Ligier fielded by 2027 McLaren Hypercar service provider United Autosport, which he shared with fellow F1 champion (and double Le Mans winner) Fernando Alonso and current Ferrari factory sportscar driver and 2025 Le Mans winner Phil Hanson.

Drew Gibson

“First of all, a big thanks to the McLaren Hypercar Team for letting me drive the MCL-HY," said Norris.

"It was great for them to give me a chance to have a bit of fun and try something new, particularly during their busy preparations for next year. I think we also collected some valuable data, and I hope I was able to bring a different set of feelings, comments, and perspectives on things, which is useful for the team in this crucial testing period.

“It was cool for me personally to work with this team, and it was exciting to try new machinery, too. I’ve not done a proper test in anything other than an F1 car for years now, so the fact I got to try something different, especially still as part of the McLaren family, was very special. It was a fun day in a quick car on a cool track, helping the team prepare for the start of WEC next year. A big thanks to everyone involved, I can’t wait to get back in the car in the future.”

James Barclay, Team Principal, McLaren Hypercar Team, said:

“We are all racers at McLaren Racing, and competing in Formula 1, IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship creates exciting cross-series opportunities. Lando was keen to drive the MCL-HY beyond his Goodwood Hill run, so we invited him to join our private Portimão test.

"As we fully expected he adapted very quickly, integrated seamlessly and provided valuable feedback to support the car’s development. It was a pleasure to have him with the team, we wish him every success for the rest of the Formula 1 season, and we look forward to welcoming him back into the McLaren Hypercar Team soon.”