McLaren unveils customer Le Mans Hypercar with Triple Crown-inspired livery
McLaren Racing CEO, Zak Brown, was present at the unveiling of the new Le Mans Hypercar in a Triple Crown-inspired livery during a private event for prospective buyers at Monterey Car Week.
Project: Endurance showcased the new livery, which is a nod to the 1974 Indy500 winning McLaren M16 driven by Johnny Rutherford, one of the races that helped the British brand become one of only three manufacturers to secure the Triple Crown. Texan Rutherford’s home state is referenced with a dark blue centre strip in the colour of the Texas flag. The roof of the cockpit also contains the same lone white star of Texas seen on the helmet used by Rutherford, who was known as ‘Lone Star JR.’
The McLaren Orange livery also displays the number 3, Rutherford’s race number.
The Hypercar itself was first revealed at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans back in June and will make its competitive debut in the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). McLaren will hope to repeat the Triple Crown of motorsport - Indy500, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix - this time in a single season.
As well as the car itself, customers on the Project: Endurance ownership experience will enjoy a two-year programme that includes access to some of the world’s best circuits, coaching will come from a professional driver, and support from their own individual pit crew and race engineers.
Customers will also get behind-the-scenes access to the upcoming McLaren United AS WEC campaign.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: McLaren Automotive