Laurens Vanthoor will race for McLaren’s new Hypercar group within the 2027 World Endurance Championship whereas remaining underneath contract with Porsche by means of the top of that season.
The Belgian was named because the second driver for the McLaren MCL-HY mission on Friday, simply days after its first signing Mikkel Jensen shook down the automobile for the primary time in Italy.
The deal will guarantee Vanthoor will return to the WEC subsequent 12 months after Porsche’s determination to scale down its 963 LMDh programme left him with no seat on the Le Mans 24 Hours for the primary time since 2017.
Vanthoor will mix his newly introduced WEC duties with a decreased involvement within the IMSA SportsCar Championship, contesting solely the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds as a 3rd driver for Porsche Penske Motorsport.
A press release from McLaren stated that Vanthoor’s tenure with Porsche will “conclude” after 2027, the ultimate 12 months of his contract, doubtlessly opening the door for a full-time transfer elsewhere past that time.
“I’ve been lucky to be in the fitting place to win many main sports activities automobile races, however I’ve made no secret that, lately, all the things I do is geared in direction of an general win at Le Mans. I’m not even joking once I say it retains me awake at evening,” stated 2024 Hypercar champion Vanthoor.
“We got here so shut final 12 months and, when the Porsche Penske Motorsport WEC programme ended, I needed to contemplate which group on the grid might give me the perfect likelihood of successful.
“For me, the selection was clearly McLaren Racing. They’re on the high of their recreation in Components 1 and IndyCar, and I imagine the identical shall be true in WEC. They’re as obsessive about successful as I’m and, collectively, we’ll do what it takes.
“I’d additionally prefer to thank everybody at Porsche for an unbelievable decade of racing, I’m totally dedicated to ending our journey along with extra trophies, and I’m grateful on your help in serving to me to chase my dream.”
McLaren MCL-HY
Photograph by: McLaren
The MCL-HY mission marks McLaren’s most high-profile foray into sportscar racing because the F1 GT3 beat purpose-built prototypes to win Le Mans on its debut in 1995.
The British model has teamed up with United Autosports to run the 2 manufacturing unit entries, whereas Dallara has been chosen because the official chassis provider.
Vanthoor will play an integral position within the growth of the twin-turbo V6-powered LMDh racer this 12 months, whereas preventing for the general GTP title with Porsche in IMSA.
“Firstly, I want to welcome Laurens to McLaren Racing. His expertise, velocity and sportscar racing skillset is an asset to our new McLaren Hypercar group,” stated McLaren group boss James Barclay.
“Once we first began talking it was extremely clear how dedicated and targeted he’s to achieve success at Le Mans and within the World Endurance Championship. This starvation and dedication alongside together with his sportscar racing expertise makes him a fantastic match for our new group.
“I additionally know and have seen how a lot it means for him to affix McLaren after a unbelievable profession with Porsche. We should thank Porsche for enabling Laurens to be a part of our check programme in 2026. In Laurens, they’ve helped develop one of many biggest sportscar drivers on the planet, and we’re delighted that the chance arose to convey him into the McLaren Hypercar Group.”
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