Lando Norris will test McLaren's MCL-HY hypercar at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao on Monday, 14 September, ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The session marks another crucial step for McLaren as they gather valuable data from the 2025 Formula 1 champion, further refining the machine that will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 2027.
The MCL-HY is powered by a 697-horsepower V6 twin-turbocharged mid-engine, with McLaren designing the car and Dallara handling the chassis. Norris previously drove it at Goodwood, and now he returns to provide technical feedback aimed at perfecting the hypercar package.
Norris's interest in Le Mans is no secret. In a May 2026 video on McLaren's YouTube channel, he said, "You know, I still feel like I want to go and try other things. Do Le Mans, now McLaren are doing Le Mans, so maybe go and do that at some point. But I don't know. I'm still young, so I've not thought of everything just yet. But, you know, in the future hopefully I have kids and they get into racing or something and then I can live the story again."
He reinforced that sentiment during the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, telling reporters he would "love" to take on the endurance challenge. It's clear his interest is genuine and a long-term goal.
The Portimao test is also part of McLaren's preparations for the hypercar era. After the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit, Norris lost a potential win due to an ill-timed virtual safety car. He started from pole but had to settle for third. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli took his eighth win of the season, joined on the podium by Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
Antonelli's victory extended his championship lead to 81 points over teammate George Russell in second. Norris now sits fourth behind Lewis Hamilton. Despite the F1 title fight, Norris briefly shifts focus to his new task with McLaren in endurance racing.
For McLaren, this test is more than a formality. Feedback from a driver of Norris's caliber is invaluable to fine-tune the MCL-HY's characteristics before it races in WEC 2027. The collaboration with Dallara also underscores their commitment to developing a competitive chassis. Portimao was chosen for its technical challenges, ideal for testing the car's performance in various conditions.
With a packed F1 schedule, Norris's presence in Portimao signals McLaren's determination to ensure a smooth transition to hypercars. Norris may lack endurance racing experience, but his enthusiasm could prove valuable. If all goes well, we might see him at Le Mans one day.
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