Vanthoor joins McLaren's WEC Hypercar outfit for team's debut
Vanthoor will race for both McLaren and Porsche in 2027
McLaren has announced Laurens Vanthoor as the second driver to join its World Endurance Championship outfit for its debut in 2027.
Vanthoor arrives at McLaren with plenty of experience of racing in the Hypercar class having won the 2024 driver’s championship with Porsche.
And in 2027 he will be back in the WEC, combining a full season in the series with McLaren along with IMSA GTP Endurance Cup duties for Porsche Penske Motorsport.
That is on a temporary basis though, as Vanthoor will become an exclusive McLaren driver once his contract expires with Porsche at the end of next year.
The announcement comes just days after McLaren made its track debut with its Hypercar, the MCL-HY.
Speaking about the announcement, Vanthoor said: “I’ve been fortunate to be in the right position to win many major sports car races, but I’ve made no secret that, in recent years, everything I do is geared towards an overall win at Le Mans.
"I’m not even joking when I say it keeps me awake at night. We came so close last year and, when the Porsche Penske Motorsport WEC programme ended, I had to consider which team on the grid could give me the best chance of winning.
“For me, the choice was clearly McLaren Racing. They are at the top of their game in Formula 1 and INDYCAR, and I believe the same will be true in WEC.
“They are as obsessed with winning as I am and, together, we’ll do what it takes.
“I’d also like to thank everyone at Porsche for an incredible decade of racing, I am fully committed to finishing our journey together with more trophies, and I am grateful for your support in helping me to chase my dream.”
Executive Director of McLaren Endurance Racing and the Team Principal of the McLaren Hypercar team, James Barclay added: “Firstly, I would like to welcome Laurens to McLaren Racing.
“His experience, speed and sportscar racing skillset is an asset to our new McLaren Hypercar Team. When we first started speaking, it was incredibly clear how committed and focused he is to be successful at Le Mans and in the World Endurance Championship.
“This hunger and commitment along with his sportscar racing experience makes him a great fit for our new team. I also know and have seen how much it means for him to join McLaren after a fantastic career with Porsche.
“We must thank Porsche for enabling Laurens to be part of our test programme in 2026. In Laurens, they have helped develop one of the greatest sportscar drivers in the world, and we’re delighted that the opportunity arose to bring him into the McLaren Hypercar Team.”
McLaren has announced Laurens Vanthoor as the second driver to join its World Endurance Championship outfit for its debut in 2027.
Vanthoor arrives at McLaren with plenty of experience of racing in the Hypercar class having won the 2024 driver’s championship with Porsche.
And in 2027 he will be back in the WEC, combining a full season in the series with McLaren along with IMSA GTP Endurance Cup duties for Porsche Penske Motorsport.
That is on a temporary basis though, as Vanthoor will become an exclusive McLaren driver once his contract expires with Porsche at the end of next year.
The announcement comes just days after McLaren made its track debut with its Hypercar, the MCL-HY.
Speaking about the announcement, Vanthoor said: “I’ve been fortunate to be in the right position to win many major sports car races, but I’ve made no secret that, in recent years, everything I do is geared towards an overall win at Le Mans.
"I’m not even joking when I say it keeps me awake at night. We came so close last year and, when the Porsche Penske Motorsport WEC programme ended, I had to consider which team on the grid could give me the best chance of winning.
“For me, the choice was clearly McLaren Racing. They are at the top of their game in Formula 1 and INDYCAR, and I believe the same will be true in WEC.
“They are as obsessed with winning as I am and, together, we’ll do what it takes.
“I’d also like to thank everyone at Porsche for an incredible decade of racing, I am fully committed to finishing our journey together with more trophies, and I am grateful for your support in helping me to chase my dream.”
Executive Director of McLaren Endurance Racing and the Team Principal of the McLaren Hypercar team, James Barclay added: “Firstly, I would like to welcome Laurens to McLaren Racing.
“His experience, speed and sportscar racing skillset is an asset to our new McLaren Hypercar Team. When we first started speaking, it was incredibly clear how committed and focused he is to be successful at Le Mans and in the World Endurance Championship.
“This hunger and commitment along with his sportscar racing experience makes him a great fit for our new team. I also know and have seen how much it means for him to join McLaren after a fantastic career with Porsche.
“We must thank Porsche for enabling Laurens to be part of our test programme in 2026. In Laurens, they have helped develop one of the greatest sportscar drivers in the world, and we’re delighted that the opportunity arose to bring him into the McLaren Hypercar Team.”
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