Celebrity Cars

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Three men in suits pose at the Star‑Studded Formula 1 Movie World Premiere backdrop; adjacent are a group photo of men in suits on a rooftop and a street scene with racing royalty, F1 cars, and crowds revving up NYC with A‑list glamor.

By Khris Bharath – June 17, 2025

Star‑Studded Formula 1 Movie World Premiere Revs Up NYC W...

New York doesn’t usually stop for much, but when the likes of Brad Pitt, Lewis Hamilton, and much of the Formula 1 grid descend on the Big Apple, things slow down a bit to catch in on all the action. Under the glow of neon lights and the iconic billboards at Times Square, the heart of Manhattan was transformed into a pit lane of glitz and glamor for the " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> of the highly anticipated Formula 1 The Movie. Ditching their racing overalls for sharp suits, much of the current crop of F1 drivers, from Charles LeClerc of Ferrari, Lando Norris of McLaren, and more, were in attendance, giving interviews in the heart of Times Square. Team bosses like Toto Wolff, Christian Horner, and Frédéric Vasseur were seen alongside Hollywood elites. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FORMULA 1® (@f1) Apple Original Films, which has teamed up with Warner Bros to produce this high-octane racing film, meant we also saw some pretty high-profile Apple execs at the event, including CEO Tim Cook. Speaking of Apple, just days ago at the tech giant’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), their VP of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, was seen in " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> in full race gear in an F1 car atop Apple Park’s roof, which was transformed into a race track. A hint of Apple’s deep dive into F1, perhaps? Finally, Brad Pitt, the protagonist in the film, and co-star Damson Idris posed in front of the cameras alongside Lewis Hamilton. Working with Apple, the seven-time F1 world champion served as producer of the film. Lending his insights from inside the paddock, the British grand prix driver played a key role in ensuring the racing in the film looked and sounded as close to the real thing as possible. His involvement in the movie extended beyond creative inputs, and he collaborated closely with director Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer to help shape the story, team culture, and even the on-screen race gear. Set to hit theaters on June 25 (Internationally), June 27 (North America), the film follows a fictional team called APEX Racing (APXGP) with Pitt playing a retired driver making a dramatic return to the grid with Idris casr as the team’s rising star. The film isn’t CGI-heavy, as the cars featured are modified Formula 2 machines, convincingly upgraded and wrapped to look like F1 cars. To capture the energy and drama of a Formula 1 race, parts of the film were shot during real Grand Prix weekends at venues like Silverstone, SPA, and Abu Dhabi. The profile of the pinnacle of motorsports has never been higher in the United States. Since the takeover by Liberty Media, F1’s presence has only grown in America, with the race in Austin being joined by Las Vegas and Miami, which has been extended until 2041. While Netflix’s Drive to Survive helped popularize the sport on the small screen, the Formula 1 The Movie aims to do the same, this time on the silver screen. " width="680"> Source: Warner Bros, Formula 1

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 28, 2024

Watch Jay Leno's $20M McLaren F1 Get The Ultimate Detail ...

$20 million has never looked so good! While its claim to fame has been historically documented through time spent competing on racing circuits around the world, the legendary McLaren F1 quickly evolved from a track weapon to an eight-figure collector car almost overnight. Although most owners choose to protect their high-dollar investment behind closed doors, away from the outside world, Jay Leno flexes his muscles as the ultimate collector by enjoying the open road behind the wheel of his $20M McLaren F1 whenever he desires. And with all that glorious road time over 25 years of ownership, there comes a day when the automotive icon needs a full head-to-toe detail to keep it in museum-worthy condition. On the newest episode of Jay Leno's Garage, in-house specialists Chris Walters and Jeremy Porazzo get to work on thoroughly detailing Jay's $20M McLaren F1 using Jay Leno's Car Care products. Using a next-to-priceless factory crate of tools that originally came with the purchase of an F1, the team lifts the McLaren to remove its wheels in order to clean every inch. A paint correction had been decided after discovering a series of surface swirl marks in the paint, which uses polish and polishing pads to break down the contaminated top layer to get to a fresh base. After spending almost the entire day working on both the paint and the wheels, the McLaren F1 is transformed into contemporary, showroom condition. Whether it's a million-dollar hypercar or your daily driver, it goes to show that any car's appearance can come back to life with good cleaning products and some elbow grease. Shop all of the Jay Leno Car Care products used on his $20M McLaren F1 by clicking the link below. Shop All Jay Leno's Car Care Products " width="680"> Source: Jay Leno's Garage YouTube

By Caitlin Duffy – June 09, 2015

Rowan Atkinson Sells Famed McLaren F1

With 41,000 miles on the odometer, two crashes and a 17 year life span, Rowan Atkinson's McLaren F1 has sold to an unnamed buyer from the United Kingdom.Though it's not clear precisely what the selling price of this car was, it was first listed for sale in January at approximately £8 million, or $12,245,520 USD at the current exchange rate. But, as The Sun reported June 10, it's estimated to be very close, if not more than, the asking price. Photo by: Tim ScottDavid Clark, a specialist car dealer who first sold the car to Atkinson, spoke with The Sun, saying, "It is one of the biggest ever deals in the UK. Rowan is pleased, but also maybe a bit sad as he did 40,000 miles in it."Atkinson was unabashedly open about his use of the F1 as a daily driver, and his preference for taking it slow - in a Jan. 23 article for the Telegraph Cars, he was quoted as saying, "To pootle is a pleasure." Photo by: Tim Scott"Of course I've gone to a track and done 200 mph in it, but for me it was always the vision of its designer Gordon Murray that made the F1 unique."(See Also: Chris Brown's "The Dark Knight" Matte Black Aventador)As there were quite a few offers made on the car, we can safely believe that the new owner will enjoy and car for this piece of McLaren history. As one of only 107 created, it's a rare car indeed, but thanks to its history, owner and time spent being loved, it has truly become unique.Take a moment to check out the photos of Atkinson and his car, courtesy of Tim Scott, then browse our exclusive listings of McLarens at the button below and find your own supercar to love.McLarens For SaleGallery (Image Source: Tim Scott | Instagram | Website) (Source: The Sun, Telegraph Cars) See More Celebrity Car News

By Caitlin Duffy – January 29, 2015

#TBT Elon Musk Accepting Delivery of McLaren F1 in 1999

At only 28 years old, Elon Musk was already venturing into the world of supercar ownership. It was 1999, PayPal was still called X.com and the internet was finally being taken seriously as a thing.At least, that's what this interview with a young Musk tells us. Posted to YouTube by EveryElonMusk Video Oct. 5 of last year, this CNN Perspectives interview watches as he accepts delivery of a McLaren F1, then a $1 million car. The CNN feature follows the culture of Silicon Valley and its overnight billionaires, one of which was Elon Musk.(See Also: Deadmau5's New Jeep Rubicon by Design 1 Customs)At the time of filming, he was engaged to now-ex-wife Justine Wilson, who says she's concerned about losing a sense of perspective because of the new found wealth. Musk then explains the basic plan behind his next business venture, X.com, which became the early version of PayPal, the company that created funding for Tesla to come into existence.We can only imagine that as he drove the F1 around, Musk became inspired to create his own version with a moral twist - an environmentally friendly energy source. Of course, we now know this as the Tesla Model S P85D, which beats the F1's acceleration with a completely electric motor.Check out the video of a young Elon above, and stay with us for more updates from the automotive world.(Source: YouTube via Road & Track) See More Celebrity Car News

By Caitlin Duffy – January 26, 2015

"Mr. Bean" Star Rowan Atkinson Selling McLaren F1

For those seeking a McLaren for their collection with a story more impressive than its performance figures, perhaps an F1 is in your near future. Photo by: Tim ScottBritish actor Rowan Atkinson of "Mr. Bean" fame has owned his McLaren F1 since it was new, but recently he went on a drive with Andrew Frankel and talked about how it was time for his beloved car to have a new chapter in its life. Despite 41,000 miles on the odometer and two accidents in the 17 years Atkinson has owned it, Frankel still estimates the asking price will be high.(See Also: McLaren Unveils Sneak Peek at Track-Focused 650S)How high? "My very strong suspicion is that it will begin with a ‘1’ and be followed by not six, but seven, digits," he wrote in an article about the experience for Goodwood Road & Racing. He credits this estimate not just with the car's history, or the fact that it has only had one owner, but with the overall rarity of the supercar. Only 107 were ever created, 64 of which were standard road cars like Atkinson's. In addition, a reputable source tells us that the car is listed for £8 million, which is approximately $12 million USD at the current exchange rates. Stay with us for more information on the car's price as it is revealed. Photo by: Tim ScottSurprisingly though, it isn't the F1's performance that Atkinson fell in love with, but the design of the car. Another article from Frankel in the Telegraph's Cars section touched on the more specific qualities that make this car fascinating overall, and surprisingly, going slow was one of his favorite aspects.“What I enjoyed most about it when I first drove it was how lovely it was to drive slowly. To pootle is a pleasure. Of course I’ve gone to a track and done 200mph in it, but for me it was always the vision of its designer Gordon Murray that made the F1 unique," Atkinson told Frankel. Photo by: Tim Scott"Look at a modern supercar of comparable performance and it will be vast, heavy and offer little or no space for your luggage," he continued. "By comparison the F1 is tiny, yet it will seat three, store enough for you all to go on holiday and still finds space for a proper, normally aspirated 6.1-litre V12 engine. And it weighs the same as a shopping car. Nothing has ever been designed before or since with such imagination and clarity of thought."Both articles state that the car is for sale through Taylor & Crawley, a London-based dealer of historic and race cars. As of now, their website does not include the F1 in its inventory, but be sure to stay with us for updates on pricing and how to purchase as it is released.What do you think is a fair price for this F1? Let us know in the comments below.Gallery Photos by: Tim Scott (Website, Instagram) (Source: The Telegraph, Goodwood Road & Racing, Taylor & Crawley, Twitter) See More Celebrity Cars

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