McLaren past meets future at Monterey Car Week

The all-new MCL-HY Hypercar appeared alongside Bruce McLaren’s original papaya M6A at Laguna Seca.

Separated by almost six decades but united by the same ambition, the two cars represent defining moments in McLaren Racing’s story. Laguna Seca was the scene of Bruce’s first Can-Am victory in 1967, secured behind the wheel of the very same M6A that would go on to inspire the MCL-HY Hypercar’s 2026 testing livery.

The MCL-HY’s appearance at Monterey Car Week marked its first public outing in the United States since its launch and roll-out in May. The McLaren Hypercar Team temporarily diverted the car’s intensive endurance testing programme to showcase it to owner-drivers and leading media titles attending Car Week in California.

Its appearance at Laguna Seca created a powerful link between McLaren’s past and future, as the MCL-HY was reunited with Bruce McLaren’s M6A — the car he drove to victory at the circuit during his Championship-winning 1967 Can-Am season.

The M6A holds a special place in McLaren history, not only for its success on track, but for what it represented. It was the first McLaren car to race in the now-famous papaya livery, a colour that has since become synonymous with the brand. More significantly, it was McLaren’s first true works car, designed and built entirely in-house - a statement of intent that proved McLaren could build its own cars, race them, and win.

That same spirit now drives McLaren’s return to the premier class of sports car racing. From 2027, the McLaren Hypercar Team will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the MCL-HY, continuing a legacy that began with Bruce’s ambition to design, build and race cars capable of winning on the world stage.