Lando Norris will run a high‑performance lap in McLaren’s new MCL‑HY hypercar on Monday 14 September at Portugal’s Algarve International Circuit, a hands‑on session that precedes the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Test Date Set for Algarve Circuit
The Woking outfit has chosen the Portimão track to gather data from the 2025 Formula 1 champion, allowing McLaren to fine‑tune the MCL‑HY ahead of its 2027 debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Norris’s earlier spell behind the wheel of the hypercar at Goodwood already offered valuable insights, and the upcoming test will build on that experience.
MCL‑HY: Design, Power and Endurance Ambitions
The MCL‑HY’s carbon‑fiber chassis is engineered by Dallara, while McLaren has supplied the aerodynamic package and the twin‑turbocharged V6 mid‑engine that delivers 697 hp.
This powertrain places the car within the current regulations for hypercars, and McLaren intends to showcase its performance on the demanding boulevards of Le Mans.
Norris Eyes Le Mans After Goodwood Run
During a May‑2026 video on McLaren’s YouTube channel, the Briton expressed a clear desire to compete at Le Mans, stating that a younger driver remains open to “other things.”
After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, Norris told reporters he would “love” to take on the endurance challenge, reinforcing his future interest in Le Mans alongside the hypercar.
Recent F1 Brilliance at Spanish GP
Having started the Spanish Grand Prix from pole position, Norris’s race was derailed by an untimely virtual safety car, letting Mercedes’s Kimi Antonelli take an eighth sprint title.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished second, with Norris third. Antonelli’s victory extended his points lead to 81 over George Russell, while Norris currently sits fourth in the standings behind Lewis Hamilton.
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