In a surprising move, McLaren, the reigning F1 Constructors’ Champions, has announced plans to withdraw from the all-electric Formula E category. This decision comes just after they revealed intentions to join the World Endurance Championship (WEC) by 2027, aiming to return to the prestigious realm of endurance racing which includes the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours race.
McLaren’s association with Formula E began when they rebranded the former Mercedes team for the 2022/23 season. Despite pulling in support from Saudi Arabian firm NEOM, the team has experienced limited success, marking only a single victory over three seasons. This has led to discussions about the team’s future direction in motorsports.
A report from The Race suggests that McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, informed team principal Ian James about ceasing their support ahead of the 2026/27 season. This crucial message was reportedly delivered during the Jeddah E-Prix in February, held on a unique version of the circuit that hosted the recent Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. James is now tasked with finding new commercial and manufacturer partners as Formula E heads into its exciting ‘Gen4’ era with innovative new cars.
This strategic withdrawal from Formula E aligns with McLaren’s ambitious plans to enter the WEC. They are looking to compete in the Hypercar class by 2027, revitalizing their legacy at Le Mans, a race they won on their debut in 1995. The WEC has seen a surge of new manufacturers since the introduction of the hypercar rules, with McLaren joining the likes of Ferrari, Aston Martin, Alpine, Porsche, Toyota, BMW, Peugeot, and Cadillac.
Zak Brown expressed McLaren’s aspirations to win all three monumental races of motorsport’s triple crown in the same year: the Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans, and the Indianapolis 500. With a rich history of accomplishments, McLaren is poised to make significant waves in the endurance racing scene once again. They plan to unveil more details about their WEC endeavor at the upcoming Le Mans race in June, with leadership from the outgoing Jaguar Formula E team principal, James Barclay.
McLaren’s decision to withdraw from Formula E signals a major shift in their motorsport strategy, refocusing on endurance racing dreams. As they gear up for a 2027 return to WEC and the Hypercar class, the motorsport community eagerly anticipates how this legendary team will navigate new challenges and strive for glory at Le Mans.
