Lando Norris, reigning Formula 1 champion, has conducted his first full test behind the wheel of the McLaren MCL-HY Le Mans Hypercar in Portimao. The event took place this Monday, following the Spanish Grand Prix held at the new Madring circuit, where victory slipped away due to a poorly timed Virtual Safety Car.
During the testing session, the British driver completed 38 laps at the Algarve International Circuit, accumulating a total of 177 miles. The McLaren program included various development tests, where Norris contributed his valuable Formula 1 experience to improve the vehicle.
Norris was not alone in this new experience; he had the support of McLaren’s 2027 drivers, Mikkel Jensen and Laurens Vanthoor, who were also working on the development of the prototype as McLaren prepares for its debut in the Hypercars championship in 2027.
In his post-test impressions, Norris expressed his gratitude to the McLaren team for the opportunity to drive the MCL-HY and emphasized the importance of gathering useful data during this crucial testing period. ‘It was a fun day in a fast car on a very interesting circuit. I can’t wait to get back in the machine in the future,’ he commented.
The driver had already had a first taste of the MCL-HY at its public presentation during the Goodwood Festival of Speed last July. McLaren, led by Zak Brown, has shown interest in having both Norris and Oscar Piastri compete in the famous Le Mans race, assuming the team would also need to manage a third vehicle to make this possible.
The schedule for the World Endurance Championship for 2027 has already been published, with the Le Mans race set for the weekend of June 12 and 13. However, competition with the F1 calendar, which has not yet been published due to the current situation in the Middle East, could complicate Norris’s participation.
James Barclay, head of the McLaren Hypercar team, hinted at the possibility of further tests for Norris, without specifying whether this would involve appearances in races. ‘We are all competitors at McLaren, and competition in different series creates exciting opportunities,’ he stated.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
