Woking, UK – April 25, 2025 – McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has today confirmed a significant strategic recalibration for the British motorsport powerhouse, announcing the team’s withdrawal from the FIA Formula E World Championship at the conclusion of the current 2024/25 season.
This decision follows an extensive internal review of McLaren Racing’s diverse motorsport portfolio. While acknowledging the growing relevance and competitive nature of Formula E within the electric racing landscape, Brown articulated that this exit will allow the team to strategically concentrate its resources and efforts on “other opportunities that more closely align with McLaren Racing’s overall strategic direction.” Foremost among these is their previously declared entry into the prestigious FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar class, slated for the 2027 season.
McLaren stepped into the Formula E arena by acquiring the entry from Mercedes-EQ prior to the 2022/23 championship. In their relatively brief but impactful tenure in the all-electric series, the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, under the guidance of Team Principal Ian James, has achieved notable milestones. These include Sam Bird’s triumphant victory at the Sao Paulo E-Prix in the 2024 season and rookie sensation Taylor Barnard etching his name in the record books as the youngest-ever polesitter in the series at the Jeddah E-Prix earlier this year. Demonstrating their competitive edge, the team currently holds a commendable third position in the teams’ championship standings.
Zak Brown conveyed his sincere appreciation for McLaren’s journey and accomplishments within Formula E, emphasizing the series’ integral role in the broader motorsport ecosystem and its commitment to sustainable racing. However, he reiterated the overarching strategic rationale underpinning the withdrawal, highlighting the need to optimize future growth opportunities across McLaren’s core markets and to offer its valued partners a cohesive and impactful sponsorship platform across its premier racing ventures.
The timing of McLaren’s departure also coincides with reports suggesting that NEOM, the ambitious Saudi Arabian smart city project and the team’s prominent title sponsor, had communicated plans to conclude its financial backing at the end of the 2026 season. McLaren’s proactive decision to exit a season earlier will now necessitate the search for a new ownership structure to ensure the continuity of the current Formula E team beyond the ongoing season. Formula E has officially acknowledged McLaren’s decision and has confirmed that active discussions are underway with potential partners and investors who could potentially take over the existing infrastructure and personnel, maintaining a team presence in the championship under a new banner if required.
Ian James, the current Team Principal of McLaren Electric Racing, expressed his deep gratitude for the “incredible journey” the team has undertaken in Formula E. He extended his thanks to McLaren Racing, their dedicated partners, and the passionate fanbase for their unwavering support throughout their involvement in the series. James affirmed the team’s unwavering commitment to achieving a strong and competitive finish to the current 2024/25 season. Furthermore, he indicated that proactive efforts are already in motion to explore the most viable options for the team’s continued participation in Formula E beyond Season 11, potentially under new ownership.
McLaren’s departure marks a significant moment for the Formula E World Championship, representing the exit of a globally recognized and respected brand from its grid. However, the series has demonstrated resilience in the face of team transitions in the past and remains optimistic about its future, emphasizing the enduring commercial appeal and technological innovation inherent in electric racing. McLaren will now strategically channel its resources and focus towards its flagship Formula 1 program, its highly successful IndyCar operations in the United States, and its highly anticipated entry into the fiercely competitive WEC Hypercar category from 2027. This strategic realignment underscores McLaren’s ambition to achieve sustained success in the pinnacle echelons of global motorsport, including a potential future pursuit of the coveted Triple Crown of Motorsport (victories in the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans) from the 2027 season on wards.