McLaren Racing has promoted Gregoire Saucy to a full-time race seat in its MCL-HY Hypercar for the team’s debut in the World Endurance Championship in 2027.
Driver Background and Testing
The young Swiss driver began his sportscar career driving the Oreca LMP2 for United Autosports in the European Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hours. He joined the Woking-based team’s driver line-up a couple of years ago, initially gaining experience at the wheel of the 720S in LMGT3 before working on the development of the Dallara-chassis LMDh.
Saucy has driven the British brand’s hybrid prototype since its first outing at Varano de’ Melegari, partnering Mikkel Jensen and later other works drivers who joined the programme, including Laurens Vanthoor, Leonardo Fornaroli, and Alex Lynn. The final name to complete the line-up is expected to be Malthe Jakobsen, who will leave Peugeot at the end of the Monza finale weekend.
Team Statements and Future Outlook
“I am over the moon to be given this opportunity,” said Saucy as reported by Autosport.com. “When I joined the McLaren Hypercar Team for its development season, I hoped it might lead to a full-time race seat, but I knew there was a great deal of experienced talent in the driver market.” He added that he stayed focused, worked hard, and adapted quickly to the MCL-HY, while expressing gratitude to Zak Brown and James Barclay.
McLaren’s Hypercar team principal James Barclay stated that Gregoire’s promotion is exactly what the McLaren Driver Development Programme is designed to achieve, noting his pace, methodical approach, and progress over the intensive testing schedule. Together with Ben Hanley and Griffin Peebles, Saucy recently clinched the 2026 ELMS title driving for United Autosports. The Anglo-American team, co-owned by McLaren Racing CEO Brown, will serve as the British manufacturer’s factory partner on its step up to Hypercar.
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