McLaren Project Endurance debuts Triple Crown-inspired livery

McLaren presented Project Endurance Hypercar at Monterey Car Week with a livery inspired by the 1974 Indy 500 victory. The car will debut in FIA WEC 2027.

At Monterey Car Week, McLaren unveiled its Project: Endurance hypercar in a striking new livery inspired by the brand’s first Indianapolis 500 triumph in 1974. Johnny Rutherford, known as “Lone Star JR,” secured that historic win driving the McLaren M16, and his legacy is now echoed in the car’s design. The body is finished in McLaren Orange with a dark blue central stripe reflecting the Texas flag, a white star on the roof, and the number 3 carried by Rutherford during his victory.

The private event, attended by depositors and prospective buyers, was led by McLaren Group Holdings CEO Nick Collins and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, with former Le Mans podium finisher Justin Bell hosting. The presentation emphasized McLaren’s enduring connection to U.S. motorsport and the cultural weight of the Triple Crown.

First revealed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, Project: Endurance is set to make its competitive debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2027. McLaren aims to achieve the rare feat of securing all three legs of the motorsport Triple Crown within a single season—victories at Le Mans, the Indianapolis 500, and the Monaco Grand Prix. While ambitious, the objective aligns with the company’s long-term commitment to endurance racing and the hypercar era.

Technically, the program is built to LMDh regulations, with Dallara providing the chassis and a twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain at its core. The ruleset is confirmed to remain in place until at least 2032, giving manufacturers stability for long-term projects. McLaren United Autosports, operated in partnership with United Autosports, will manage the racing effort, with James Barclay named as team principal. Driver line-ups have not yet been disclosed.

Beyond engineering, Project: Endurance offers an ownership experience unlike any other. Customers will gain access to a two-year McLaren track program at some of the world’s most renowned circuits, complete with personal pit crews, engineers, and professional driver coaching. The production numbers and pricing remain undisclosed, but the project is positioned as one of the most exclusive opportunities in modern motorsport.

Following its debut in Monterey, the hypercar will also be showcased in Dallas and Miami. For McLaren, Project: Endurance is more than a product launch—it is a symbolic step linking past triumphs with future ambitions in the highest tier of endurance racing.