McLaren Endurance Racing has finalised its squad for its inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship season aboard the new MCL-HY Hypercar, with Malthe Jakobsen confirmed as a member of the lineup.
The Dane had been the subject of ongoing speculation for months as a potential move from Peugeot to McLaren, and the official confirmation arrived just a week before the Monza finale that he would not be behind the wheel of a Peugeot in the upcoming year.
Jakobsen spent the previous two seasons with Peugeot, earning a podium at the Circuit of The Americas in 2025 and serving as the French manufacturer’s test and reserve driver during the two seasons prior.
His rapid ascent in sports car racing began when he clinched the European Le Mans Series LMP3 title with Cool Racing in 2022 at the age of 18.
He now becomes the sixth and final member of McLaren’s driver roster, joining fellow ex-Peugeot racer Mikkel Jensen, veteran Porsche rival Laurens Vanthoor, former Cadillac driver Alex Lynn, and McLaren Driver Development Program members Leonardo Fornaroli and Gregoire Saucy.
“I am super excited to join the team; it feels incredible to be part of this project and this brand, especially as it competes across WEC, F1 and IndyCar in pursuit of the Triple Crown,” Jakobsen commented, describing McLaren’s driver lineup as “impressive.” “The history of the team, including the Le Mans win in 1995, is very special, and it will be an honour to represent McLaren on a global stage.”
McLaren Endurance Racing team principal James Barclay added: “He has already established himself as one of endurance racing’s most exciting young talents, combining notable speed and consistency with the technical ability that is essential at the sport’s highest level. As we continue to build toward our WEC debut in 2027, Malthe represents a fantastic addition to our driver lineup, and we look forward to seeing him race in the MCL-HY.”
Jakobsen’s commitments with Peugeot meant he has not yet driven the MCL-HY, but Barclay had previously stated that all six drivers would test together for the first time later this month at Portimão.
The exact combination of drivers across the two cars remains to be determined and will be finalised following two end-of-year tests in Europe, according to Barclay.
