ELMS champion Saucy signs for McLaren

McLaren has confirmed that European Le Mans Series champion Gregoire Saucy will join its 2027 driver line-up.

Saucy is the fifth driver to have been confirmed for the team's debut season in the Hypercar class, and he will partner Mikkel Jensen, Laurens Vanthoor, Leonardo Fornaroli and Alex Lynn in the team’s maiden Hypercar campaign. 

As part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, Saucy has contributed to the development of the MCL-HY this year.

He drove the car at its maiden test at Varano in May as well as its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

Saucy’s prior accomplishments include the 2021 Formula Regional European Championship as well as the 2026 European Le Mans Series championship.

Saucy has two years of WEC experience at the wheel of a United Autosport-run McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, during which time he secured a best result of second in class at last year’s Qatar 1812Km.

Having aimed for a full-time race seat since joining McLaren, Saucy has stated that he is “over the moon to be given this opportunity” while McLaren Hypercar Team Principal James Barclay has described Saucy’s promotion as “exactly what the McLaren Driver Development Programme is designed to achieve: identifying exceptional talent, supporting that development and creating a genuine pathway to a works race seat”.

Speaking about the announcement Saucy said: "When I joined the McLaren Hypercar Team for its development season, I hoped it might lead to a full-time race seat, but I knew there was a great deal of experienced talent in the driver market.

"I stayed focused, worked hard and adapted quickly to the MCL-HY. I have loved every second with this team: the standards are incredibly high, the people are supportive and the atmosphere is fantastic."