Together from next season
A few days after the presentation of the McLaren MCL-HY, with which the Woking team will make its return to the WEC next season, the British manufacturer announced the signing of a new driver: alongside Mikkel Jensen, the line-up has been enriched with the arrival of Laurens Vanthoor, also returning to the endurance category. World champion in 2024, the 35-year-old Belgian has received the green light from Porsche to join McLaren, but he will continue his part-time commitment in the IMSA Endurance Cup, with the full-time starting spot to be taken by Laurin Heinrich.
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The biggest goal
“My journey as an official Porsche driver has given me extraordinary successes over the past ten years, and I am truly grateful – Vanthoor said – together, we want to win more trophies and titles. However, I have a big personal dream I want to fulfill. I want to thank everyone at Porsche for this incredible decade of racing together; I am determined to conclude our journey by winning more trophies and I am grateful to them for the support, which has helped me pursue my dream. At the same time, I am very happy for Laurin who in 2027 will join the fixed roster in IMSA with Porsche Penske Motorsport. He absolutely deserves this opportunity. I have been lucky to be in the right position to win many important motor races, but I have never hidden that, in recent years, everything I do is aimed at the overall victory at Le Mans. I’m not joking when I say that this keeps me awake at night. Last year we came very close and, when the Porsche Penske Motorsport WEC program ended, I had to evaluate which team on the grid could offer me the best chances of winning. For me, the choice was clearly McLaren Racing. They are at their peak in F1 and IndyCar, and I believe the same applies to the WEC. They are as obsessed with winning as I am and, together, we will do everything necessary to achieve it.”
A World Champion has entered the chat 🧡
That’s right, star signing #2 is 2024 @FIAWEC Hypercar World Driver Champion @VanthoorLaurens.
He’ll join us from 2027. pic.twitter.com/mJMVVJae1s
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— McLaren Endurance Racing (@MCLEndurance) May 8, 2026
The ideal driver
Welcoming Vanthoor to the team was James Barclay, McLaren Director in the WEC: “His experience, speed and racing skills represent a valuable asset for our new Hypercar team. From the first talks it was incredibly clear how determined and focused he is on achieving success at Le Mans and in the World Championship. This ambition and dedication, combined with racing experience, make him the ideal choice for our new team. I know well, and I have been able to see firsthand, how much it means to him to join McLaren after a fantastic career with Porsche. We must thank her for allowing Laurens to participate in our testing program in 2026. With Laurens, they helped shape one of the best sports car drivers in the world, and we are pleased that the opportunity to welcome him to us has arisen.”
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