United Autosports out of 2026 WEC to focus on McLaren Racing Hypercar project
United Autosports is to sit out the 2026 World Endurance Championship season to concentrate on its partnership with McLaren for the following year’s Hypercar campaign.
The move will allow the Wakefield team to focus crucial time and resources on its role with the new McLaren Racing LMDh entry from the 2027 season, which was announced at the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours.
McLaren Racing’s exciting entry to the FIA World Endurance Championship, which will mark the return of the McLaren name to endurance racing, will begin with a robust testing programme throughout 2026.
United will continue to compete in the Asia and European Le Mans Series’ and the Le Mans 24 Hours LMP2 class, which it has won twice (2020 and 2024).
But a large chunk of resources will go into its Hypercar programme.
United CEO Richard Dean said: “It is truly an honour to race in the WEC, so this is not a decision we have taken lightly.
“But when you have the opportunity to race in Hypercar and form a team with McLaren Racing with the goal to compete for outright victory in the championship, including Le Mans … that is something we have worked for, fought for … dreamed of … for years, so we are doing everything in our power to make it a success.
"I would like to thank WEC for their support, and wish Garage 59 and McLaren Automotive the best of luck next season in LMGT3.
"We will be back on the grid in 2027 as part of the McLaren United AS WEC Hypercar Team and we can’t wait.”