McLaren Racing has confirmed the identity of the second driver for its forthcoming FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar programme, with former title-winner Laurens Vanthoor joining Mikkel Jensen in the famous British brand’s line-up.
It has been a busy week for McLaren, following the reveal of the name of its MCL-HY prototype as well as its testing livery, with the car subsequently taking to the track for the first time at Varano’s Autodromo Riccardo Paletti in Italy.
Those initial laps were conducted by ex-Peugeot racer Jensen, with the Dane now set to be supported by Vanthoor, one of the standout performers of the Hypercar era to-date and a driver who swept to world championship glory two years ago.
The Belgian has claimed multiple victories and titles over the course of a decade-long career with Porsche – including a brace of triumphs and three further rostrum results on his way to clinching the 2024 FIA WEC Drivers’ crown.
“I’ve been fortunate to be in the right position to win many major sportscar races, but I’ve made no secret that, in recent years, everything I do is geared towards an overall win at Le Mans,” commented Vanthoor, who turns 35 today and came within 15 seconds of outright glory in the twice-round-the-clock La Sarthe contest 11 months ago.
“I’m not even joking when I say it keeps me awake at night. We came so close last year and, when the Porsche Penske Motorsport FIA WEC programme ended, I had to consider which team on the grid could give me the best chance of winning.
“For me, the choice was clearly McLaren Racing. They are at the top of their game in Formula 1 and IndyCar, and I believe the same will be true in FIA WEC. They are as obsessed with winning as I am and, together, we’ll do what it takes.”
The MCL-HY will take its place on the series’ burgeoning Hypercar grid in 2027, as the legendary marque returns to the top-tier of international endurance racing for the first time in almost three decades in tandem with sportscar specialist, United Autosports. McLaren Endurance Racing Executive Director and Team Principal of McLaren Hypercar Team, James Barclay, is confident Vanthoor will play a major role in its development.
“Firstly, I would like to welcome Laurens to McLaren Racing,” Barclay remarked. “His experience, speed and sportscar racing skillset is an asset to our new team. When we first started speaking, it was incredibly clear how committed and focused he is to be successful at Le Mans and in the World Endurance Championship.
“That hunger and commitment make him a great fit. I also know and have seen how much it means for him to join McLaren after a fantastic career with Porsche. In Laurens, they have helped to develop one of the greatest sportscar drivers in the world, and we’re delighted that the opportunity arose to bring him into the McLaren Hypercar Team.”
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