The speculation surrounding McLaren Racing’s potential entry into sports car racing has been making the rounds for several months, and it appears increasingly plausible. Given that McLaren is synonymous with supercars, participating in a prototype sports car racing class would be an ideal avenue to demonstrate its high-performance capabilities.
Although McLaren wasn’t present at the recent Rolex 24 at Daytona, an event that featured teams from Aston Martin, Ferrari, Mercedes, Lamborghini, Porsche, and many others, the brand still managed to be a topic of conversation. John Doonan, the president of IMSA, made a notable comment during his prerace address, hinting at McLaren’s interest by stating, “It looks like the papaya army plans to join us,” which further fueled the discussions around their possible future involvement.
When asked about the authenticity of these claims, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown indicated there might be some truth to them. He elaborated that the automotive sector closely aligns with the racing side of McLaren, and with McLaren Automotive undergoing a significant acquisition, the company is set to emerge as a robust organization eager to participate in motor racing. “We have been reviewing our options for entering sports car racing for a while now,” Brown explained, praising the new regulations that have garnered positive feedback from manufacturers, suggesting a resurgence in sports car racing’s popularity.
However, those excited about the prospect of McLaren racing may need to temper their enthusiasm for now. Brown has carefully outlined expansion plans, targeting a debut in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2027. “To be prepared by 2027, we need to make decisions soon, and things are looking promising,” he stated. He also mentioned that if they were to enter both WEC and IMSA, it might occur at different times while evaluating McLaren’s current involvement in Formula E and IndyCar.
Brown’s strategic vision appears to aim for participation in WEC by 2027 and IMSA by 2028. Whether this results in scaling back from these current commitments or maintaining the status quo remains uncertain. At present, McLaren actively fields two Formula 1 cars, celebrated a successful season by winning the constructors’ championship, operates a two-car Formula E team, and manages three entries in IndyCar. Notably, McLaren has recently taken full control of its IndyCar operation and invested significantly to enhance its presence in the series, fulfilling a lifelong aspiration for Brown.
The imperative to engage in the hypercar category of sports car racing is pressing, providing McLaren a chance to compete alongside its automotive counterparts. “We believe sports car racing can significantly benefit both our automotive and racing divisions,” Brown noted, emphasizing the intrinsic connection between the automotive manufacturer and racing, which presents collaborative opportunities.
After fully acquiring the IndyCar program at the beginning of this year, Brown was explicit about McLaren’s intention to solidify its commitment to motorsport in North America, a crucial market for the brand and its fanbase. Interestingly, he refrained from explicitly mentioning IndyCar in his discussions about future expansions, which raises questions about his intentions now that McLaren’s ambitions in sports car racing are becoming more evident.
The Formula 1 calendar includes five races held in North America, and establishing a WEC team could enable participation in events like the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona. A potential IMSA program in 2028 would also introduce an additional eleven races within the region. Even if the IndyCar program were to cease competing full-time, Brown has expressed a strong interest in continuing McLaren’s participation in the Indianapolis 500, reaffirming his passion for the sport while emphasizing the need for financial viability.
Brown is also personally involved in sports cars as a part-owner of United Autosport, providing him with insights into the sphere without daily operational responsibilities. The path forward for McLaren and its other racing commitments outside of Formula 1 will become clearer in time.
“When we consider entering new motorsport arenas, we evaluate our existing commitments,” Brown stated. “We have always prioritized Formula 1.” After solidifying their position in F1, which is now thriving, the organization remains poised to reassess its broader racing portfolio.
