Lando Norris, current Formula 1 champion, completed his first thorough test behind the wheel of the McLaren MCL-HY Le Mans Hypercar at the Portimao circuit on Monday. This test session has raised rumors about the possibility of the Brit making his debut at Le Mans next year.
After the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit, where he lost victory due to an unfortunate Virtual Safety Car, Norris traveled to Portugal for a test day. In total, he completed 38 laps at the Algarve International Circuit, accumulating 177 miles on his test day.
McLaren reported that Norris’s program included testing various development elements, leveraging his vast experience in Formula 1 to provide valuable feedback.
During his first test with the LMDh, Norris was supported by McLaren drivers for 2027, Mikkel Jensen and Laurens Vanthoor, who continued working on the vehicle’s development ahead of the British brand’s debut in this category in 2027.
Norris expressed his gratitude for the support of the McLaren Hypercar Team, highlighting that it was a great opportunity to test a new car at a crucial moment in preparation for next year. ‘It was a fun day in a fast car on a spectacular circuit, helping the team prepare for the start of the WEC next year,’ he said.
This test is a continuation of Norris’s first contact with the MCL-HY, which took place during his public presentation at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last July. McLaren Racing director, Zak Brown, has shown interest in Norris and Oscar Piastri participating in the standout event of the World Endurance Championship, although this will depend on the team’s availability to operate a third vehicle.
Norris’s participation at Le Mans would be possible only if there are no conflicts with his Formula 1 commitments next year. While the full WEC 2027 calendar was revealed three months ago with Le Mans scheduled for June 12 and 13, F1 has yet to publish its calendar for next year.
McLaren Hypercar team director, James Barclay, has kept the door open for more tests for Norris in the future, without making explicit mention of possible race appearances. ‘Lando was eager to drive the MCL-HY beyond his demonstration at Goodwood, so we invited him to join our private test in Portimão. As we expected, he adapted quickly, integrating seamlessly and providing valuable feedback for vehicle development support,’ Barclay stated.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
