Under the golden skies of Monterey Car Week, McLaren revealed one of its most ambitious creations yet: Project Endurance, a customer Le Mans Hypercar program that blurs the lines between motorsport and ownership. Unveiled in a striking new livery inspired by McLaren’s 1974 Indianapolis 500 triumph, the car stands as both a tribute to the brand’s racing heritage and a glimpse of its future ambitions.
The exclusive unveiling was hosted at a private event led by McLaren Group Holdings CEO Nick Collins and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, with former Le Mans driver Justin Bell lending his voice to the occasion. For the select group of depositors, collectors, and enthusiasts in attendance, the reveal marked a rare chance to witness history in the making, as McLaren continues to expand its reach in endurance racing.
The new livery draws from the past but feels distinctly modern. Cloaked in McLaren Orange with a bold dark blue center stripe, the car pays homage to Texan driver Johnny Rutherford’s 1974 Indy 500-winning M16. A lone white star crowns the cockpit roof — a nod to Rutherford’s “Lone Star JR” moniker — while his race number three and McLaren’s Speedy Kiwi logo complete the design. The result is a hypercar that visually connects McLaren’s Triple Crown victories with its present-day aspirations.
First introduced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, Project Endurance is set to make its competitive debut in the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). McLaren has made no secret of its ultimate ambition: to reclaim motorsport’s Triple Crown — victory at Le Mans, the Indianapolis 500, and the Monaco Grand Prix — this time in a single era of dominance.
Beyond its aesthetics and racing ambitions, Project Endurance represents one of the most exclusive customer experiences in motorsport. Owners will not only take delivery of an authentic Le Mans Hypercar but will also be embedded into McLaren’s development program. This includes behind-the-scenes access to the WEC campaign, personal coaching from professional drivers, and tailored track programs at legendary circuits worldwide.
Nick Collins describes it as a proposition unlike any other: “The opportunity to be one of only a few to own this Le Mans Hypercar and be directly involved in the development and testing program is a very special proposition.” For collectors accustomed to rarefied experiences, Project Endurance offers something more — an immersion into the heartbeat of competitive endurance racing.
Each customer is promised a two-year driving journey supported by a dedicated pit crew and engineers, a structure designed to mirror the professional racing environment. This hands-on element is not just about speed but mastery — helping owners push the car, and themselves, to new limits at the pinnacle of sportscar performance.
Following its Monterey debut, Project Endurance will continue its U.S. showcase with stops in Dallas and Miami throughout August. These appearances serve as both a celebration of McLaren’s deep ties to American motorsport and a strategic move to engage its most passionate customer base.
As McLaren positions itself at the intersection of heritage and innovation, Project Endurance is more than just a car. It is a statement of intent: to honor the past, to thrill in the present, and to shape the future of endurance racing. With its Triple Crown-inspired livery and exclusive ownership program, it captures the essence of what makes McLaren not only a brand but a living legacy of speed.
