McLaren community embraces the States of Endurance journey

McLaren fans and owners took part in the States of Endurance trip, meeting drivers and seeing special models during 3,867 miles across the US.

Thirty years ago, McLaren stunned the racing world at Le Mans, winning the 24 Hours on its very first attempt. The Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing McLaren F1 GTR, driven by JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekiya, claimed victory in a race marked by nearly 17 hours of heavy rain. Against the odds, a GT car outpaced prototypes, and four McLarens finished inside the top five – a feat still remembered as historic.

In 2025, McLaren chose to celebrate that legacy with an ambitious project called “States of Endurance.” The route stretched 3,867 miles across eight U.S. states, from Monterey to Miami. Behind the wheel of the 750S Coupe, 750S Spider and hybrid Artura Spider were seasoned drivers Paul Rees, Jack Barlow and Oliver Webb. The journey was designed not only as a showcase of engineering, but also as a series of fan gatherings. “Pit Stop” events were staged with McLaren retailers in Newport Beach, Scottsdale, Dallas, Atlanta, Orlando, and concluded in Miami.

The cars, dressed in Dawn, Day and Night liveries, evoked the phases of a 24-hour race. At each stop, enthusiasts could view the special 750S Le Mans Edition, fitted with the MSO High Downforce Kit, alongside Project: Endurance – a preview of McLaren’s top-class return to endurance racing. The company confirmed it will join the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2027, fielding a hypercar team under the new McLaren United AS banner, created in partnership with United Autosports. A select group of customers will also gain access to exclusive cars and a multi-stage track program.

McLaren’s partner TUMI played a visible role, supplying travel gear from the Spring 2025 collection. The pieces, blending papaya accents and carbon-fiber details, continued a collaboration that began in 2019 and has since expanded into multiple racing disciplines.

The Artura Spider highlighted McLaren’s hybrid know-how. Its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, paired with an electric motor, delivers around 700 hp and up to 33 km of electric-only driving. At the other end of the spectrum, the 750S remains the brand’s lightest and most powerful series production supercar, sprinting to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds. Together they demonstrate the balance between racing DNA and cutting-edge innovation.

Closing the road trip, McLaren hinted at its next milestone: the upcoming W1 hypercar, successor to the F1 and P1. Early details point to a flat-plane crank V8 with an integrated electric module and advanced active aerodynamics, with production capped at 399 units.

Ultimately, “States of Endurance” was more than a coast-to-coast drive. It was a statement that endurance is not only about the Circuit de la Sarthe, but a mindset woven into the brand’s identity, connecting a storied past with an ambitious future.