Mikkel Jensen will not be the only Dane in the driving seat of McLaren’s new MCL-HY Hypercar in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year, following confirmation of compatriot and former Peugeot team-mate Malthe Jakobsen as the final member of the British brand’s line-up.
Jakobsen stepped up to international prototype competition after winning the domestic Formula 4 Championship in 2019, proceeding to clinch the European Le Mans Series’ LMP3 class crown at the age of just 18.
Rising rapidly through the ranks in the long-distance discipline, the North Jutland native was offered a tryout behind the wheel of Team Peugeot TotalEnergies’ 9X8 Hypercar in FIA WEC’s Rookie Test in 2022. Following further success in both ELMS and the Asian Le Mans Series – claiming back-to-back LMP2 category titles in the latter – the French manufacturer signed him up to a full-time factory race seat.
Despite being the youngest driver in the team, Jakobsen shone, reaching the rostrum at COTA in 2025 prior to stunning the endurance racing community when he secured Peugeot’s first pole position in the world championship at Spa-Francorchamps earlier this year.
He starred again last weekend at Monza by finishing a season-high fourth on his swansong with the squad, with the 23-year-old’s standout performances not only earning him a reputation as one of the most promising racers of his generation, but also putting him firmly on McLaren’s radar.
He will duly join countryman Jensen, 2024 FIA World Endurance Champion Laurens Vanthoor, outgoing Cadillac ace Alex Lynn, reigning FIA Formula 2 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli and recently-crowned ELMS LMP2 Champion Grégoire Saucy on the driving strength for the marque’s maiden Hypercar campaign, as the iconic carmaker returns to the pinnacle of international endurance racing for the first time in almost three decades.
“I’m super-excited!” enthused Jakobsen, who has further enhanced his burgeoning career CV in 2026 with a third Asian Le Mans Series title and the ELMS Pro/Am laurels. “It feels unbelievable to be part of this project and this brand, in particular as McLaren competes across FIA WEC, Formula 1 and IndyCar in pursuit of the ‘Triple Crown’.
“That history, including the Le Mans win in 1995, is so special and it will be an honour to represent McLaren on the global stage. James [Barclay – Team Principal], Richard [Dean – CEO of team partner, United Autosports] and Zak [Brown – McLaren Racing CEO] have created an impressive team of drivers and staff, and I’m really looking forward to working with them all.
“I had four phenomenal years with Peugeot. They made me feel part of the family from day one at the Rookie Test in Bahrain and have been a huge part of my growth as a person and as a racing driver. This has been an unforgettable chapter of my career.”
“We’re delighted to welcome Malthe to McLaren Hypercar Team,” added Barclay. “He has already established himself as one of endurance racing’s most exciting young talents, combining impressive speed and consistency with the technical ability that is so important at the highest level of the sport.
“As we continue to build towards our FIA WEC debut in 2027, Malthe is a fantastic addition to our driver line-up and we look forward to seeing him race in the MCL-HY.”
Peugeot was also quick to praise the contribution that Jakobsen has made to its 9X8 programme since 2022.
“Everyone in the team has truly appreciated Malthe’s enthusiasm, commitment and, of course, his performances on-track,” commented Team Principal, Emmanuel Esnault. “A heartfelt ‘thank you’! The entire team wishes him all the best for the future."
“We are very proud of everything Malthe has achieved with us and the progress he has made along the way,” echoed Stellantis Motorsport Director, Olivier Jansonnie. “It has been a privilege to see him grow as a driver and as a member of the team. We sincerely thank him for his commitment, his hard work and everything he has brought to us, and we wish him every success for what comes next.”
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