United Named McLaren LMDh Partner; Barclay Team Boss

McLaren has confirmed that United Autosports will serve as the partner team for its long-awaited LMDh effort that will debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2027, while also naming Dallara as chassis supplier and James Barclay as team principal.

The British marque, overall winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995, announced in April that it will join WEC’s Hypercar category with a brief statement, outlining a plan to debut in 2027.

On Friday, the day before the 93rd running of the French endurance classic, it revealed significant new details about its program, including a confirmation of operational partner, engine, chassis and team principal.

As expected, the as yet unnamed car will be built to LMDh regulations, with Dallara acting as the chassis supplier.

This will make McLaren the third LMDh manufacturer to work with the Italian firm, as both the BMW M Hybrid V8 and Cadillac V-Series.R also make use of a Dallara chassis.

The car is set to be powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine designed by McLaren Racing and McLaren Automotive.

United Autosports, which was widely expected to be in line to run the effort, was also confirmed as the operational partner for the program.

The Anglo-American squad, co-owned by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, currently campaigns McLaren GT3s in both WEC and the European Le Mans Series.

On a management level, Barclay has been appointed as team principal and will take up his new role in September.

Barclay currently serves as managing director of JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) Motorsport and team principal for the Jaguar TCS Racing squad in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, but will leave that role once the all-electric single-seater series wraps up its current season in July.

Under his leadership, Jaguar’s Formula E squad became a world title-winning operation, capturing both the teams’ and manufacturers’ championship last year. Barclay will report directly to Brown.

“I am honored to be joining a brand with such an incredible history of racing excellence,” said Barclay.

“The passion and commitment to success that McLaren Racing embodies is something I’ve always admired.

“I look forward to the challenge of building a team that competes at the highest level of racing and represents the pioneering spirit that McLaren is known for.”

McLaren is set to reveal a first glimpse at its LMDh challenger during an unveiling in the manufacturers’ village at the Circuit de La Sarthe on Saturday.

 “McLaren Racing’s return to the FIA World Endurance Championship marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for us, and James’s leadership will be crucial in guiding us through the coming months as we prepare for our 2027 entry,” said Brown.

“We have a rich history in the sport, and with James at the helm, we are confident that McLaren Endurance Racing will quickly establish itself as a competitive  and successful team.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the team’s future take shape under his leadership and can’t wait to give fans an exclusive preview of our 2027 race car.”