Earlier this year, McLaren pulled the plug on its Formula E team. The papayas announced their intention to focus on other racing disciplines, including the hypercar class in the FIA World Endurance Championship. After unsuccessful attempts to find a buyer for the Formula E stable, the team now faces the threat of disappearing from the grid entirely. This would mean that only ten teams would participate in the championship.
Team boss Ian James hoped to secure the team’s future under a different name through a sale. Although there was interest – including from Hyundai, which is linked to a possible entry into Formula E – a deal never materialized. The team’s registration would now revert to Formula E Holdings. The Formula E team has a turbulent history anyway. It originally started as a factory team from Mercedes. In 2022, it was sold to McLaren, which moved the team from the Mercedes facility in Brixworth to Bicester Heritage. Under the Gen3 rules, McLaren became a customer team, with powertrains from Nissan.
Drivers Move
With the possible disappearance of the team, drivers Sam Bird and Taylor Barnard also need to find a new employer. Barnard, who broke through this season as a promising rookie, seems to be in demand on the drivers’ market. British The Race reports that he has already signed a multi-year deal with competitor Penske. Bird, one of the most experienced drivers in Formula E, has been participating since the start of the championship – first with Virgin Racing, later with Jaguar, and the last two seasons with McLaren. His victory in São Paulo in 2023 is so far the only success for the team. Rumors are circulating that Bird will stay with McLaren, but as part of the new hypercar program.
“McLaren Racing announces its planned departure from the Formula E World Championship following a strategic review of our racing portfolio and a shift in focus to our participation in the WEC in 2027,” said a previous statement from McLaren. “We thank everyone for their hard work and incredible dedication over the past three seasons.” With their participation in endurance racing, the Brits are chasing the Triple Crown – a victory at Le Mans, the Indy 500, and in Monaco.”
