Lando Norris tests McLaren hypercar ahead of WEC debut
15th September 2026McLaren’s Formula 1 world champion, Lando Norris tested the team’s Hypercar ahead of their World Endurance Championship debut in 2027.
Feature image credit: McLaren Racing
Following on from the Spanish Grand Prix, where the defending F1 world champion finished third at the debut Madring circuit, Norris jumped across the border into Portugal to test out the team’s Hypercar which is still undergoing testing ahead of their 2027 debut.
The test took place at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve circuit in Portimão, and marks the fifth track test for the car, which will contest next year’s World Endurance Championship and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
He worked alongside McLaren Racing factory driver and multi-championship-winner Mikkel Jensen, with the 2024 WEC Drivers champion, Laurens Vanthoor, joining the test – whom will join the squad from the start of 2027.
On the test, Norris said:
“First of all, a big thanks to the McLaren Hypercar Team for letting me drive the MCL-HY. 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.”
In the test, Norris completed 38 laps of the 4.653km circuit, after an acclimatisation run, working alongside a programme which included development items, with the F1 world champion giving valuable feedback.
It’s not the first time Norris has had a taste of this machine, having completed a run up the Goodwood Hill at the Festival of Speed.
On the test with Norris, McLaren Hypercar Team, Team Principal, James Barclay praised Norris, saying they fully expected him to adapt ‘very quickly’ and integrated seamlessly to support the cars development. He 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.”
Read more World Endurance Championship content here:
- McLaren debut hypercar at Goodwood Festival of Speed
- 6 Hours of Sao Paulo: the official WEC schedule and start times
- 6 Hours of Sao Paulo: the latest weather forecast ahead of Brazil
- Toyota lead 24 Hours of Le Mans behind safety car after 8 hours
- Toyota continues to lead 24 Hours of Le Mans after 4 hours
- Toyota heads opening hour of Le Mans 24 Hours
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
