News Summary

Lando Norris is set to swap his Formula 1 car for McLaren’s new endurance prototype at Portimão on Monday as the British manufacturer steps up preparations for its return to the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2027.

The reigning F1 world champion is reportedly due to drive the MCL-HY at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, giving McLaren another high-profile source of feedback during the early development phase of its new LMDh programme.

The running would come just one day after Norris finished third in the Spanish GP at Madring, where a badly timed Virtual Safety Car cost the McLaren driver a likely victory.

Norris has since called for Formula 1 to reconsider its VSC procedures, but his immediate focus is now set to switch temporarily from F1 to McLaren’s future Le Mans challenger.

Norris already drove McLaren Hypercar at Goodwood

It would not be Norris’ first experience behind the wheel of the MCL-HY.

The 26-year-old gave McLaren’s new Hypercar its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, completing runs on the famous 1.16-mile hillclimb.

That appearance, however, came extremely early in the car’s development and was not representative of a conventional circuit test. McLaren deliberately avoided pushing the prototype hard because any accident or significant damage could have disrupted the development programme.

A Portimão test therefore represents a considerably more useful environment for Norris to experience the car and provide technical feedback.

The Algarve circuit’s elevation changes, high-speed sections and variety of corners also make it a valuable development venue for an endurance prototype that will eventually have to perform across the very different circuits on the WEC calendar.

McLaren preparing MCL-HY for 2027 WEC season

McLaren is preparing to return to the top category of the World Endurance Championship in 2027, including an assault on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The MCL-HY is being developed to the LMDh regulations. McLaren has partnered with Dallara for the chassis and developed a twin-turbo V6 engine for the programme, combined with the standardised hybrid system required by the regulations.

Under the current LMDh technical framework, combined power output is limited to 520kW, or approximately 697bhp.

McLaren has already begun an extensive development programme with the prototype and plans increasingly demanding endurance running as it prepares the car for homologation and competition.

Factory drivers Mikkel Jensen and Laurens Vanthoor have already been confirmed for the WEC programme, although McLaren has yet to announce its complete 2027 driver line-up.

Norris has made no secret of Le Mans interest

Norris’ involvement is particularly intriguing because the Briton has previously spoken openly about wanting to race at Le Mans.

The McLaren driver has said he wants to experience disciplines outside Formula 1 during his career and specifically identified the 24-hour classic as something he would like to attempt.

McLaren’s return makes that possibility considerably easier to imagine.

Norris already has endurance racing experience. Before establishing himself in Formula 1, he competed in the 2018 Daytona 24 Hours alongside Fernando Alonso and Phil Hanson in a United Autosports Ligier.

His latest involvement with the MCL-HY does not mean he has been selected to race for McLaren at Le Mans in 2027. His Formula 1 commitments remain the priority, and no WEC race programme for Norris has been announced.

But putting the F1 world champion into the development car strengthens a connection that already existed between Norris and McLaren’s revived endurance ambitions.

Portimão already familiar territory for Norris

Norris also knows the Algarve circuit particularly well.

Portimão was the venue for his first Formula 1 test in 2017, when he drove McLaren’s MP4-26, and he returned there with the F1 team earlier this year.

Norris, Oscar Piastri and Leonardo Fornaroli took part in a two-day McLaren test at Portimão at the end of July, using the 2023 MCL60 under Formula 1’s Testing of Previous Cars regulations.

Norris completed 49 laps on that occasion as McLaren reacquainted itself with a circuit that is due to return to the F1 calendar in 2027.

Monday’s reported outing is very different. Rather than preparing for Formula 1’s return to Portugal, Norris would be contributing directly to a programme designed to put McLaren back into contention for overall victories in the WEC and at Le Mans.

McLaren targets Le Mans return in 2027

McLaren’s return carries particular historical significance.

The manufacturer won the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright on its debut in 1995 with the F1 GTR, driven by JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekiya.

More than three decades later, McLaren is preparing to challenge for overall honours again with a purpose-built prototype.

The MCL-HY programme is still in its development phase, and substantial testing remains before its WEC debut.

Norris’ expected Portimão running is another step in that process — and also offers an early glimpse of a combination many fans would eventually like to see in competition: McLaren, Le Mans and Lando Norris.

FAQ

Is Lando Norris testing McLaren’s WEC Hypercar?

Norris is reportedly set to drive the McLaren MCL-HY at Portimão on Monday as part of the development programme for McLaren’s 2027 WEC entry. McLaren has not yet publicly announced details of the running.

Has Lando Norris driven the McLaren MCL-HY before?

Yes. Norris drove the MCL-HY during its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2026. The Portimão running would give him experience of the prototype on a full racing circuit.

Will Lando Norris race for McLaren at Le Mans in 2027?

McLaren has not announced Norris as part of its 2027 WEC driver line-up. Norris has previously expressed interest in racing at Le Mans, but his participation in development running does not confirm that he will compete in the 24-hour race.