McLaren set out WEC decision timeline

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has revealed the team will make a decision on a future World Endurance Championship entry later this year.

The Woking-based team has continued its expansion across the motorsport world with the acquisition of Mercedes' Formula E operation, entering the all-electric single-seater world championship from next season.

But a WEC entry has been touted for numerous years given the change of rules in the premier class of the championship in recent years.

Toyota has been joined by Alpine and Glickenhaus in the hypercar class, with automotive powerhouses Audi, Porsche, Peugeot and Ferrari also signed up.

Asked if a McLaren could be seen at Le Mans in years to come, Brown replied: "We still haven't made a decision on the World Endurance Championship.

"We are a fan of that championship. I think right now, we need to be totally focused on getting Formula E integrated and up and running.

"I think with how World Endurance is playing out, we are comfortable that we still have time to make a decision if we were to enter in the '24/'25 season."

Unlike Formula E, Extreme E and IndyCar, an operation in WEC would likely reflect on sales of road-going vehicles.

Explaining the decision will be made in tandem with McLaren Automotive in order to make sure a move into the championship provides advantages across the board, Brown added: "We have some changes which are well known on our automotive business.

"I think if we were to go to World Endurance it would be in some way shape or form connected to our automotive business.

"So that will be something we will need to make a decision on this year."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Daniel Ricciardo makes Coachella cameo in surprising F1 link-up

• Yesterday 22:57

McLaren star quits F1 dream with brutal exit statement: 'It's not Mario Kart we're racing here'

• Yesterday 21:55

Max Verstappen earns $70m per year tax free, but F1 drivers are still underpaid

• Yesterday 20:54

Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian hard-launch relationship with romantic Malibu date night

• Yesterday 19:57

FIA announce series of F1 rule changes ahead of Miami Grand Prix

• Yesterday 18:44

FIA President Ben Sulayem confirms change to F1 rules following complaints

• Yesterday 18:02