Norris completes 38-lap McLaren Hypercar test at Portimao, fuelling 2026 Le Mans debut talk

Lando Norris logged 38 laps and 177 miles in McLaren’s MCL-HY Le Mans Hypercar at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao on Monday, completing his first full day of testing in the V6-powered LMDh machine and stoking speculation about a potential Le Mans appearance in 2026.

The one-day programme came just days after Norris was denied victory at the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit by an ill-timed Virtual Safety Car. Rather than head straight home, the reigning F1 champion crossed the border into Portugal to work alongside McLaren’s confirmed 2027 WEC pairing of Mikkel Jensen and Laurens Vanthoor, who were also on track developing the car ahead of the British brand’s Hypercar programme debut.

Norris described the outing as both personally rewarding and technically productive. “It was great for them to give me a chance to have a bit of fun and try something new, particularly during their busy preparations for next year,” he said. “I think we also collected some valuable data, and I hope I was able to bring a different set of feelings, comments, and perspectives on things, which is useful for the team in this crucial testing period.”

He added that the experience carried extra meaning given his long association with the McLaren brand. “I’ve not done a proper test in anything other than an F1 car for years now, so the fact I got to try something different, especially still as part of the McLaren family, was very special. I can’t wait to get back in the car in the future.”

Monday’s session builds on Norris’s first taste of the MCL-HY at its public debut during the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown has previously expressed interest in fielding both Norris and Oscar Piastri at Le Mans, though any such plan would likely require the team to run a third car entry.

A 2026 Le Mans start for Norris would hinge on the F1 calendar avoiding a clash with the race, provisionally scheduled for the weekend of 12-13 June. F1 is yet to publish its 2027 schedule, with the ongoing situation in West Asia complicating planning.

McLaren Hypercar team principal James Barclay indicated the team is open to further Norris appearances. “We are all racers at McLaren Racing,” he said, pointing to the organisation’s simultaneous involvement in Formula 1, IndyCar, and the World Endurance Championship as a source of cross-programme opportunity.