Ford and McLaren Advance LMDh Programs Ahead of 2027 WEC Debut

The World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class is poised for a significant escalation in 2027 as Ford and McLaren prepare to join the fray with all-new LMDh prototypes. Should the current manufacturer roster remain intact, the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans will host a 10-way fight for overall victory.

Both programs have been in development for over a year and are deep into their pre-competition phases. Although neither brand has contested top-tier sportscar racing in decades, each carries a formidable Le Mans legacy. Ford secured four consecutive victories from 1966 to 1969, breaking Ferrari’s dominance at La Sarthe, while McLaren achieved a legendary maiden win in 1995 with the F1 GTR, triumphing over purpose-built prototypes in treacherous wet conditions.

Below is a detailed status update on the development of both manufacturers’ upcoming hypercars.

Ford

Ford engine fire-up

Photo by: Ford Racing

Car: Unnamed
Regulations: LMDh
Chassis partner: Oreca
Engine: 5.4-litre Coyote V8; spec hybrid system

Ford reached a critical milestone this month by firing up the V8 engine of its as-yet-unnamed hypercar for the first time. This was not a standard dyno session; a fully assembled car, complete with the spec hybrid system, was brought to life at Oreca’s facility in France.

With chassis and power unit integration now complete, Ford will commence on-track testing in August at several European circuits. The program will have approximately seven months of running before the 2027 WEC season opener in Qatar next March.

Initial testing will utilize a single chassis, with a second car slated to join later—an approach consistent with other manufacturers. The final development phase will shift to North America.

While Ford may trail McLaren in on-track mileage, it has finalized its entire 2027 driver roster early. The first wave was announced in January, signing Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller, rising star Sebastian Priaulx, and former Formula 1 driver Logan Sargeant. In June, IMSA aces Tom Blomqvist, Nick Yelloly, and Matt Campbell completed the six-driver lineup.

The Ford LMDh project is led by Dan Sayers, formerly of Aston Martin/Prodrive and Red Bull Racing.

Timeline of events:

• January 2025: Ford commits to Le Mans return
• June 2025: Partners with Oreca and appoints Dan Sayers (ex-Red Bull Powertrains) as program lead
• September 2025: Confirms in-house operation of LMDh programme
• January 2026: Signs Rockenfeller, Priaulx, and Sargeant
• January 2026: Reveals 5.4-litre Coyote V8 with spec hybrid unit
• June 2026: Completes driver lineup with Blomqvist, Yelloly, and Campbell
• July 2026: Completes car build and fires up engine for first time

McLaren

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL-HY

Photo by: Jakob Ebrey / Getty Images

Car: McLaren MCL-HY
Regulations: LMDh
Chassis partner: Dallara
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6; spec hybrid system

Development of the McLaren MCL-HY is progressing on schedule. The British manufacturer has already completed multiple test sessions with its Dallara-based LMDh prototype.

McLaren briefly paused its test program to showcase the MCL-HY at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the car made its public debut driven by United Autosports’ Grégoire Saucy and reigning Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris. The final race livery remains under wraps; all running to date has utilized a special Bruce McLaren tribute scheme.

Further testing is planned in the coming months as McLaren and United Autosports refine the package ahead of homologation at the Windshear wind tunnel in the United States.

Regarding drivers, McLaren has confirmed two names: former Peugeot factory driver Mikkel Jensen and 2024 Hypercar champion Laurens Vanthoor, who joins on loan from Porsche. The team has also employed several additional drivers for development duties, including Grégoire Saucy, Richard Verschoor, and Ben Hanley.

Work continues at the McLaren Technology Centre, where a new driver-in-the-loop simulator built by Dynisma has recently been installed.

The McLaren Hypercar program is directed by James Barclay, who joined in September 2025 after leading Jaguar to the Formula E Teams’ Championship. Barclay also played a key role in Bentley’s 2003 Le Mans victory.

Timeline of events:

• April 2025: McLaren commits to Hypercar entry
• June 2025: Names United Autosports as team partner; selects Dallara for chassis supply
• January 2026: Signs Jensen as first driver
• January 2026: Completes engine dyno fire-up
• May 2026: Unveils MCL-HY in special testing livery
• May 2026: Successful shakedown in Italy; test program begins
• May 2026: Porsche loans Vanthoor to McLaren for 2027 season
• July 2026: Public debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed

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