Lando Norris has expressed his desire to return to the cockpit of McLaren’s new MCL-HY Hypercar after completing 38 laps during the manufacturer’s latest FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) test at Portimão.
The reigning Formula 1 World Champion joined McLaren Hypercar Team at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve on 14 September for the MCL-HY’s fifth track test. Norris travelled to Portugal after taking pole position and finishing on the podium at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.
The session marked his second experience with McLaren’s 2027 Hypercar challenger after he previously gave the car its first public outing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. However, the Portimão run gave Norris his first opportunity to complete a proper development programme in the prototype and provide detailed feedback as McLaren prepares for its return to the top level of endurance racing.
Norris completes 38 laps in MCL-HY
Norris began the day with an acclimatisation run before completing 38 laps around Portimão’s 4.653km layout.
His programme included several development items as McLaren continued gathering data ahead of the MCL-HY’s competitive debut in 2027. Norris worked alongside McLaren Racing factory driver Mikkel Jensen and 2024 FIA World Endurance Champion Laurens Vanthoor, who will officially join the Hypercar programme next season.
The test represented a significantly different experience from Norris’ previous Goodwood appearance, where the nature of the hillclimb limited how much he could explore the car. Portimão instead allowed him to work through a more conventional development programme with the team.
Norris thanked McLaren for giving him the opportunity to take part while the squad continues its preparations for next season.
“First of all, a big thanks to McLaren Hypercar Team for letting me drive the MCL-HY,” enthused Norris, who sits fourth 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.”
Norris hopes different perspective aided development
Although Norris approached the test as an opportunity to experience different machinery, his involvement also gave McLaren another source of technical feedback.
The 26-year-old has spent the overwhelming majority of his recent testing mileage in Formula 1 machinery. Consequently, his perspective differed from those of Jensen and Vanthoor, who bring extensive experience from sports car and endurance racing.
Norris believes that contrast allowed him to contribute useful information as McLaren continues understanding its new Hypercar.
“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.”
The MCL-HY remains in the development phase ahead of McLaren’s 2027 WEC entry, making each test an important opportunity to refine the package before the programme moves towards competition.
First proper non-F1 test in years for Norris
The Portimão outing also represented a rare departure from Formula 1 machinery for Norris.
While he has previously driven other McLaren cars in demonstration settings, the Hypercar session gave him his first proper test outside an F1 car for several years. That provided an opportunity to adapt his driving to the different demands of an endurance prototype while remaining within the wider McLaren organisation.
Norris highlighted both the novelty of the experience and the opportunity to contribute to another of McLaren Racing’s major programmes.
“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!”
His closing comments leave the door open to further MCL-HY running, although McLaren has not confirmed when Norris could next test the car or whether his involvement will eventually extend to racing.
McLaren prepares for major endurance return
McLaren will return to the highest level of international endurance racing in 2027 as it joins the FIA WEC Hypercar field and contests the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The programme carries considerable historical significance for the manufacturer. McLaren famously won Le Mans outright on its first attempt in 1995 with the F1 GTR, and its forthcoming Hypercar project will give the marque an opportunity to compete for overall honours at La Sarthe once again.
The MCL-HY will form the centrepiece of that return, with McLaren continuing an extensive testing programme throughout 2026 before its first WEC race next season.
Norris’ participation adds another connection between McLaren’s Formula 1 and endurance operations while also demonstrating the opportunities created by the manufacturer competing across several major international championships.
Barclay praises Norris’ adaptability and feedback
McLaren Hypercar Team Principal James Barclay welcomed Norris’ contribution and explained that the test developed from the F1 champion’s desire to experience the MCL-HY beyond his Goodwood run.
McLaren currently operates major programmes across Formula 1, IndyCar and WEC, creating opportunities for drivers and personnel to work across different disciplines.
“We’re all racers at McLaren Racing, and competing in Formula 1, IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship creates exciting cross-series opportunities,” he 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.”
Barclay also indicated that McLaren expects Norris to return to the Hypercar operation in the future.
“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.”
That comment, combined with Norris’ own enthusiasm for another run, suggests his Portimão appearance may not represent a one-off contribution to the development programme.
Norris’ Hypercar involvement continues to grow
Norris’ relationship with the MCL-HY has developed considerably in a relatively short period.
His Goodwood appearance provided an initial introduction to the prototype, while the Portimão test allowed him to experience the car in a proper development environment alongside drivers directly involved in McLaren’s WEC preparations.
The latest run also comes amid continued interest in Norris’ potential endurance-racing future. He has previously spoken about wanting to contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans at some point in his career, while McLaren’s return to the race provides an obvious route should the opportunity arise.
However, neither Norris nor McLaren has confirmed plans for him to race the MCL-HY. For now, his involvement remains part of the manufacturer’s testing and development work ahead of its 2027 campaign.
Nevertheless, after completing 38 laps and immediately expressing a desire to drive the car again, Norris appears increasingly involved in McLaren’s Hypercar project as the team builds towards its return to WEC and Le Mans.
