The car – set to be developed through a rigorous test programme in 2026 ahead of homologation in the winter – was presented in a striking 2026 test livery inspired by the McLaren M6A, the very car Bruce McLaren once envisioned taking to La Sarthe as the M6GT.
The McLaren Hypercar Team was scheduled to commence on-track testing of the MCL-HY in May 2026, with a programme supporting the simultaneous development of both the race car and its track car counterpart ahead of McLaren’s WEC debut in 2027.
For the 2026 test programme, McLaren Hypercar Team works driver Mikkel Jensen was joined by McLaren Driver Development Programme drivers Grégoire Saucy and Richard Verschoor. In addition, United Autosports driver Ben Hanley contributed his development experience to the programme.
Built to LMDh regulations, the MCL-HY combines a lightweight carbon fibre monocoque chassis with a focus on balance and efficiency.
Power comes from a twin-turbocharged V6 race engine paired with a hybrid MGU system, delivering up to 520kW to the rear axle. With a minimum weight of 1030kg and an efficient power-to-weight ratio, the MCL-HY was developed to balance outright performance with endurance racing efficiency, targeting competition at the highest level – in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Zak Brown, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Racing, said: “After months of preparation, we revealed the MCL-HY to the world. McLaren Racing now has three race cars competing across Formula 1, INDYCAR and WEC. This allows McLaren, its partners and its fans to pursue the Triple Crown of the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans together – a unique cross-series story that sets us apart.”
James Barclay, Executive Director, McLaren Endurance Racing and Team Principal, McLaren Hypercar Team, said: “The reveal of the MCL-HY marked the beginning of the next chapter in McLaren’s return to top-level sports car racing. From the test livery, which reflects our 1960s Can-Am heritage, to our hybrid-powered Hypercar developed by a world-class team for this highly competitive era, and through to the track car programme, the project underlined our ambition to compete at the highest level.”
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