McLaren announces first driver for 2027 WEC Hypercar programme

McLaren has named former Peugeot driver Mikkel Jensen as the first signing for its World Endurance Championship Hypercar programme for 2027.

The Dane will race for McLaren United Autosports in the WEC next year, while also playing a "significant" role in the development of the as-yet-unnamed LMDh prototype that will succeed the McLaren F1 GTR in the top echelon of sportscar racing.

Jensen brings a wealth of experience across GT and prototype ranks, having spent the last three-and-a-half seasons representing Peugeot in Hypercar. In 26 starts with the Stellantis marque, he scored three podiums in the 9X8 LMH and achieved a best championship finish of eighth in 2023.

The 31-year-old's move to McLaren follows his recent switch to the British brand’s partner team United Autosports, with which he is campaigning the Oreca 07 LMP2 in the Asian Le Mans Series and this month’s Daytona 24 Hours.

“I’m extremely proud to be joining the world championship-winning McLaren family and excited to be a part of its Hypercar project from the early stages,” said Jensen. 

“Stepping onto the boulevard at the McLaren Technology Centre gives me goosebumps – it not only brings to life how much history McLaren has in Formula 1, but the 1995 Le Mans-winning F1 GTR reminds me that we have an incredible endurance story to continue.”

McLaren Hypercar prototype

Photo by: Nikolaz Godet

McLaren is already present in the WEC’s LMGT3 division, but the 720S GT3 programme is managed by McLaren Automotive, which is operated under a different ownership structure.

United Autosports, co-owned by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, had been running McLaren’s LMGT3 effort for the past two years, but will hand over the reins to Garage 59 in 2026 to focus on its Hypercar commitments.

McLaren’s foray into Hypercar in 2027 will see it compete in three of the biggest categories in the world: F1, IndyCar and WEC.

While detailed technical specifications about the project remain under wraps, it has been confirmed that the car will be based on a Dallara chassis and powered by a twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine. The Woking-based squad did not offer a timeline for further driver announcements when confirming Jensen’s appointment.

“Announcing Mikkel is another important milestone in the formation of our new Hypercar team,” said McLaren's endurance team principal James Barclay, who joined the squad after a long stint with Jaguar in Formula E.

“He has already proven himself as one of the most competitive and well-rounded sportscar racing drivers in the world and will bring with him a wealth of experience from the Hypercar category. We will enter the World Endurance Championship and Le Mans in what will arguably be the most-competitive season of all time. 

“We are delighted to have a driver of Mikkel’s calibre, experience and future potential. Like us, he is a true racer and is therefore a great fit with our philosophy on people and culture, which has been integral to McLaren Racing’s world championship-winning success in Formula 1.  Our World Endurance Championship team is coming together nicely and Mikkel is a fantastic addition.”