Here's the thing about racers: they just want to drive. Fresh off securing pole position and a podium finish for the McLaren Mastercard Formula1 Team at the Circuito de Madring in Madrid during the Spanish Grand Prix, reigning Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris headed straight to Portugal. The destination? Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, where he stepped behind the wheel of McLaren Racing's brand-new MCL-HY Hypercar.
This wasn't his first taste of the striking papaya prototype, having already driven it for its first public outing at the Festival of Speed at Goodwood earlier in the summer. But yesterday, on 14 September, the British star was put to work during the machine's fifth track test as part of the British marque's ongoing preparations for a 2027 debut in the top-tier of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Following an initial acclimatisation run, the 26-year-old rattled off 38 laps of the 4.653km layout, working through a checklist of development items and generating vital feedback for the squad.
It was a pleasure to have him with us, we wish him every success for the rest of the Formula 1 season and we look forward to welcoming him back into McLaren Hypercar Team soon.
Norris didn't share the garage alone, either. He worked alongside fellow McLaren Racing factory driver Mikkel Jensen and Laurens Vanthoor, the 2024 FIA World Endurance Champion who officially joins the squad at the start of next year.
“First of all, a big thanks to McLaren Hypercar Team for letting me drive the MCL-HY,” Norris said, acknowledging his current fourth-place standing in the Formula 1 standings with nine grands prix remaining this season. “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 the 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, 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 to prepare for the start of FIA WEC next year. I can’t wait to get back in the car in the future!”
McLaren's eagerly-anticipated return to international endurance racing's very highest level aims to recreate former glories, echoing the brand's famous debut triumph at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 with the F1 GTR. Team Principal James Barclay was full of praise for the guest driver's input during the private test.
“We’re all racers at McLaren Racing, and competing in Formula 1, IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship creates exciting cross-series opportunities,” Barclay commented. “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 us, we wish him every success for the rest of the Formula 1 season and we look forward to welcoming him back into McLaren Hypercar Team soon.”
