McLaren is gearing up for its first on‑track outing with its LMDh prototype ahead of its debut in the World Endurance Championship in 2027.
As the British manufacturer indicated months ago, the spring/summer window was expected to be the ideal moment to begin testing and development of the hybrid prototype built around a Dallara chassis, which will race next year in the Hypercar class.
Naturally, the very first kilometres will take place at the home circuit of the Parma‑based company supplying the platform on which McLaren will build its car. According to information gathered by Motorsport, the programme is set to officially begin in the first week of May at Varano de’ Melegari.
A few years ago, the same track hosted the rollout of the BMW M Hybrid V8 — a car also built on the Emilia‑based constructor’s chassis — during a tightly controlled shakedown away from prying eyes. The same approach will be used for the McLaren LMDh.
McLaren Hypercar prototype
Photo by: Nikolaz Godet
On Friday, McLaren announced that the car would be named the MCL-HY, following the MCL nomenclature used by its Formula 1 team since 2017. The HY in the name refers to the Hypercar class.
As revealed previously, the car will be powered by a three‑litre twin‑turbo V6 based on the Artura engine built by ATM – Autotecnica Motori — and paired with the standard Bosch hybrid system, as mandated by the regulations.
In January, the British brand released a video of the engine firing up on the test bench, followed a month later by the official announcement of its partnership with the Lombardy‑based company.
Track operations will be handled by Zak Brown and Richard Dean’s United Autosports team, with James Barclay overseeing activities from the pitwall. The first confirmed driver is Mikkel Jensen, who will soon be joined by his team-mates — one of whom could be current Cadillac racer Alex Lynn.
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