McLaren’s Departure Will Affect Formula E to Focus on WEC Entry

McLaren Racing decided to leave the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship by the end of the current season.

The legendary brand is ready for a new challenge—it will enter the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar category in 2027. Formula E fans may feel disappointed, especially those actively betting on McLaren at GGBet. The team’s exit represents its new motorsport strategy, which might be as exciting as the previous one.

Dramatic Shift in Focus

McLaren did a thorough analysis of its racing portfolio, which determined that Formula E no longer aligned with the company’s vision. It decided to redirect its resources to support a high-profile entry into the highly competitive WEC Hypercar class. McLaren aims to compete against top rivals such as Ferrari, Toyota, Porsche, and BMW.

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, expressed the company’s intention to set a great team for future success. It will also explore other opportunities that more closely align with McLaren Racing’s strategy. This move makes sense. While Formula E promotes sustainability, McLaren’s battery and chassis package have left little room for engineering innovation.

Respectable Run in Electric Racing

McLaren has developed a strong presence in Formula E. The team entered the series in 2022-23 after acquiring the Mercedes EQ entry, which had just captured all the titles. With team principal Ian James, McLaren quickly made a huge impact in the industry.

Rookie Jake Hughes impressed the audience with strong qualifying form, while René Rast reached the podium in the team’s second race weekend in Diriyah. The following season, veteran Sam Bird claimed an exciting maiden win for McLaren in São Paulo. Meanwhile, young talent Taylor Barnard smashed records in his debut season. Barnard sits fourth in the current standings, with McLaren enjoying a strong competitive run. That level of performance makes their exit even more dramatic.

Devastating Exit and New Chapter for McLaren and Formula E

McLaren’s departure is disappointing, but it is not a catastrophe for Formula E. Unlike Mercedes’ exit, which came after the team had dominated the grid and supplied top powertrains, McLaren was a customer team. Its exit doesn’t dismantle the series’ technical core or competitive order.

Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds expressed their disappointment about losing a globally recognized name, but left some space for optimism. There are six manufacturers for Gen4—Porsche, Jaguar, Nissan, Stellantis, Yamaha, and others. These are huge names in the automotive space. The championship is still very healthy.

Dodds also suggested that McLaren’s exit presents a fresh opportunity for other brands to join the fold, especially with Gen4 development now in testing. Newcomers still have time to establish a presence before the next technical evolution in 2026.

McLaren’s Formula E team has a valuable infrastructure in place. Ian James is actively seeking new investment to keep the team on the grid. Stellantis, the parent company of Maserati, might be a potential buyer. The sponsorship with Saudi Arabia’s NEOM is also under review. McLaren’s decision not to pursue additional electric racing funding signals its full commitment to the Hypercar project.

Bigger Picture for Formula E

Formula E still takes a unique place in motorsport. Yet challenges remain. The market is rapidly changing, with many manufacturers adjusting their motorsport budgets to new trends. The current series experiences a lack of developmental appeal. No wonder they are looking for new opportunities to stay relevant. Formula E is planning to change Gen4 rules by increasing the power limit (up to 600kW) and improving production capabilities. This can be a great attempt to enhance public interest. This way, Formula E prepares to turn the page.