14 September 2026 18:30 (UTC)
“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”
McLaren Racing Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris swapped single-seaters for sports cars today, joining the McLaren Hypercar Team at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão for the MCL-HY FIA Hypercar’s fifth track test.
Lando travelled to Portugal straight from the inaugural Formula 1 race on the new Circuito de Madring, where he took Pole and a podium finish. Following a high-profile run up the Goodwood Hill at the MCL-HY’s first public demo, the 26 year old joined the McLaren Hypercar Team and their experienced WEC driver line-up at one of their development tests as the team prepares for the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship.
After his first acclimatisation run, he completed 38 laps of the 4.653 km track in the McLaren prototype that will contest the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His programme included a number of development items and provided the team with valuable feedback from Formula 1’s reigning Champion.
Lando worked alongside fellow McLaren Racing factory driver and multi-Championship-winner Mikkel Jensen. Laurens Vanthoor, the 2024 FIA World Endurance Hypercar Drivers’ Champion, who will officially join the team from the start of 2027 also joined the test. The outing marked the latest stage of the MCL-HY’s successful development programme ahead of McLaren’s return to the top class of international endurance racing.
“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.”
“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.”
