Malthe Jakobsen Joins McLaren for 2027 WEC Hypercar Campaign
Danish driver completes the six-man roster for McLaren's upcoming endurance racing project.
1Finalizing the Driver Roster
McLaren has officially completed its driver lineup for the 2027 World Endurance Championship Hypercar project by signing 23-year-old Danish talent Malthe Jakobsen. He joins an established group including Laurens Vanthoor, Alex Lynn, Leonardo Fornaroli, Gregoire Saucy, and his former teammate Mikkel Jensen to pilot the new Dallara-chassis MCL-HY LMDh machine.
2Transitioning from Peugeot
Jakobsen arrives at McLaren after spending four years with Peugeot, where he gained significant experience driving the 9X8 prototype. He credits his time at the French manufacturer for his professional development, noting that he joined the team at age 18 and matured significantly during his formative years within their endurance racing program.
3Technical and Strategic Fit
Team principal Barclay highlighted Jakobsen’s combination of raw speed, consistency, and technical proficiency as key factors for the recruitment. These attributes are considered essential for competing at the highest level of endurance racing, where precise feedback and mechanical sympathy are required to manage the complex hybrid systems found in modern Hypercars.
4Pursuing the Triple Crown
Jakobsen expressed immense pride in joining a brand with such a storied history, specifically referencing McLaren’s iconic 1995 Le Mans victory. He is particularly motivated by the organization's unique ambition to compete simultaneously across WEC, Formula 1, and IndyCar, aiming to capture the prestigious Triple Crown of motorsport in the coming years.
5Internal Team Dynamics
While the six drivers are now confirmed, McLaren has not yet finalized the specific composition of the two three-driver crews that will compete in the 2027 season. The team continues to evaluate how best to distribute the talent across their entries to maximize performance and ensure optimal chemistry during long-distance endurance events.
6Building the 2027 Foundation
The recruitment of Jakobsen is part of a broader organizational effort led by James, Richard, and Zak to build a competitive WEC squad from the ground up. By securing a mix of experienced endurance specialists and promising young talent, McLaren aims to hit the ground running during their debut season in the category.
7Endurance Racing Landscape
The WEC Hypercar class has become increasingly competitive, attracting major manufacturers and top-tier driving talent from across the globe. McLaren’s entry into this space represents a significant expansion of their racing operations, requiring a robust infrastructure that can handle the technical demands of the LMDh regulations and intense international competition schedules.
8Future Outlook and Expectations
As Jakobsen looks forward to his future with McLaren, he views this move as the next major step in a career that is still in its early stages. The team will now focus on testing and development phases to ensure the MCL-HY is ready for the rigors of the 2027 championship debut.
Original article: Autosport — Malthe Jakobsen Joins McLaren for 2027 WEC Hypercar Campaign