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

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 31, 2026

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari F40 Dream Has Finally Come True

Known for his talents on the racetrack, where he earned seven F1 World Championships over 20 seasons, Lewis Hamilton’s love for speed and cars extends well beyond the race paddock. Earning stardom in the sport after starting out in karting alongside a father who worked multiple jobs to support his son’s passion, Lewis’ success on and off the track has also allowed him to own some seriously incredible cars over the years, including a Pagani Zonda 760 LH, Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, and Mercedes-AMG ONE, just to name a few. But while some of those now-god-tier cars have come and gone, there’s one that Lewis has long dreamed of owning since childhood: the legendary Ferrari F40.That dream has now become a reality for the Scuderia Ferrari F1 driver as he just took to Instagram to reveal his very own Ferrari F40 as the latest addition to the collection. Lewis shared in the caption that the F40 has been a dream of his for as long as he can remember, and when he joined Ferrari last year, he made sure one was waiting for him on his first day at Maranello. As one of the wealthiest drivers in Formula 1 history, you might expect Lewis to go for a pristine, fully restored F40 that was ready to hit the road the moment it arrived. But you’d be wrong. Instead, Lewis searched far and wide to find this one, covered in dust after sitting in a garage for over thirty years, ready for someone to bring it back to life. And that’s exactly what he’s doing. Before finding its way into Lewis’ garage, the F40 was shipped back to Maranello, where master engineers and technicians at Ferrari’s Classiche department are carrying out an extensive engine-out restoration and documentation process to return the car to factory showroom condition. Undertaking a journey like this is something right up his alley, building a connection with the car long before turning a key, learning all the ins and outs along the way. And as if things couldn’t have worked out better for Lewis, he even shared photos of F40 parts stamped with the number 44, tying his iconic racing number to his dream car and making the story behind the car even more special.Still a long way until the Ferrari F40 is on the road with an F1 World Champion behind the wheel going through gears, Lewis has promised to share more updates and moments along the way with fans and followers. Stay tuned into duPont REGISTRY News for more upcoming information on Lewis Hamilton’s new Ferrari F40. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton)

By Khris Bharath – March 26, 2026

Lewis Hamilton Stuns Tokyo Car Meet In a Ferrari F40 Ahead of Suzuka

The regulation changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season are already delivering plenty of drama. With Albert Park opening the calendar and Ferrari back on the podium in China, all eyes now turn to Japan for round three. But before the engines roar at Suzuka, Japan’s car culture stole the show. At the legendary Daikoku parking area, a sacred spot for Japanese Domestic Market enthusiasts, Lewis Hamilton made a surprise appearance. Located at the junction of the Shuto Expressway Bayshore Route (Route B), about 30 minutes out of Tokyo, if you’re even remotely into JDM cars, you know the significance of this place. The seven-time world champion, coming off a podium in Shanghai, rolled up in a stunning red Ferrari F40 on Japanese plates. Pop-up headlights, five-spoke wheels, a high-revving 2.9-liter V8, and the unmistakable F40 silhouette stood in stark contrast. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KAWAII FITMENT. (@kawaii_fitment) Daikoku PA, famed for its late-night meets, had its usual lineup: Nissan 240s, GT-Rs (including an R34 in the iconic 2 Fast 2 Furious silver blue Paul Walker tribute livery), even Porsches, and so much more. In a sea of neon-lit street racers, Hamilton in an Italian exotic certainly stole the show, even more so considering the F40 was only produced in left-hand drive, which in Japan is considered a status symbol. Hamilton, known for his flair both on and off track, was casually dressed in shades, a fur-lined jacket, and a beanie, and was all smiles. With plenty of cameras capturing the moment, he effortlessly blended into this underground scene, far removed from the sophistication of Formula 1. With round 3 of the F1 calendar yet to kick off, Japan has already delivered one of the defining images of the season: a fusion of F1 stardom and grassroots car passion, with Hamilton at the center. View All Ferrari F40s For Sale Images: kawaii_fitment, underground_tokyo_meet

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 23, 2025

Tyler, The Creator's New Ferrari F40 Stars As A Cameo In ...

The F40 joins an eclectic collection of cars that reflect his love for design, nostalgia, and individuality. What makes the car world so special is how different it can look from one garage to the next. Whether it's a Ferrari collector chasing every limited-run model or a JDM fanatic with a soft spot for classic GT-Rs, the love for cars runs just as deep—and it all comes back to that same four-wheel connection and a community that gets it. This thought gets even more personal when you bring celebrity influence into the equation. Celebrities often take center stage in the media, revealing their taste in cars. For American rapper, artist, and fashion designer, Tyler, The Creator, his growing car collection has been recognized as one of the most impressive, going viral on social media behind the wheels of classic Italian rally cars and collector-grade BMWs. Tyler, The Creator just took his love for all things automotive to the next level by featuring his new Ferrari F40 in the "STOP PLAYING WITH ME" music video. Directed by Tyler, The Creator himself, featuring special guests like Lebron James and Pusha-T, the bright red Ferrari F40 stole the show in a single frame of Tyler leaning on the car's rear quarter rapping the line, "F40, this the brand-new coupe." The fashion designer side of him styled the shot perfectly as he matched the '90s icon in a red leather ensemble. The F40's music video appearance comes shortly after clips of Tyler driving the multi-million dollar Ferrari in California went viral on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Tyler, The Creator's new Ferrari F40 is the latest addition to his refreshingly offbeat car collection, joining standouts like his pastel Rolls-Royce Cullinan, E30 BMW M3, Fiat 131 Abarth Rally, and mint-green Lancia Delta Integrale. Now with this heavy-hitter in his garage, we can't wait to see what's next on Tyler, The Creator's dream car list. View All Ferrari F40s For Sale " width="680"> Source: Tyler, The Creator YouTube

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 27, 2022

Watch Ferrari Collector David Lee Take Delivery Of His Ne...

Now he is only 2 vehicles away from having a red and yellow 'Big Five' Collection. As a car enthusiast who needs no introduction, Ferrari Collector David Lee continues his journey of acquiring the most exclusive and iconic examples from the Italian supercar manufacturer. While his garage is infamous for seeing spectacular configurations come and go, David spoke about completing an unimaginable task during his last appearance on Jay Leno’s Garage. In a quest to complete his goal of owning ‘The Big Five’ in both red and yellow, David Lee is proud to announce the addition of his new yellow Ferrari F40. The iconic 90s supercar now resides in his garage next to the matching yellow Ferrari F50 and Ferrari Enzo. MUST-READ: Watch Ferrari Collector David Lee Present His New Yellow Ferrari Enzo The Ferrari ‘Big Five’ consists of all of the pinnacle models that shape the brand into the industry leader they are today, including the 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari. With more garage space available, David Lee looks to complete his task by acquiring a yellow Ferrari 288 GTO and LaFerrari. Although the welcome party to the yellow Ferrari F40 was short-lived, we can ensure you that Ferrari Collector David Lee will be sharing some amazing content coming soon. View all of the current Ferrari F40 examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and celebrity car news. VIEW ALL FERRARI F40 FOR SALE View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Lee I Ferrari Ambassador (@ferraricollector_davidlee) Source: Ferrari Collector David Lee YouTube

By Edward Jones – February 11, 2019

Gas Monkey Garage Ferrari F40 Sells Again, For More!

Over the weekend, the sale of a very unique car happened. To be specific, the Gas Monkey Garage Ferrari F40 was auctioned off. This one-of-a-kind car has changed owners multiple times, but the most recent owner had it taken from them by the U.S. Marshals Service. After being taken, it was put up for auction and now I can say that it has another new owner. This time, however, it's sold for a good chunk. Find Your Own Ferrari F40 When it was first was put up for auction in 2014, Reggie Jackson put in a final bid of $742,500. In 2015, it changed hands again for $643,500, a $99,000 loss in value. More than likely it changed owners after that sale, but now, in 2019, it's sold again for $760,000. That's more than the original price! This news comes to us via Richard Rawlings' Instagram account. Rawlings also says that we will be able to see how it all went down on their upcoming season of Fast N Loud (season 15), which starts in June on The Discovery Channel. check out all ferraris for sale

By Edward Jones – November 15, 2016

Jay Leno Drives the Ferrari F40 for the First Time

Jay Leno has driven more cars than any of us could even imagine. From classics to modern hypercars, he featured them all on his show and typically takes them for a spin. However, there's one car he hadn't driven until recently: the Ferrari F40.(Related - 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO for Sale with Reported $56 Million Price Tag)Last week, I wrote about David Lee visiting Leno and them taking the Ferrari halo cars for a spin. While he was only videotaped driving the LaFerrari in that episode, this week he takes the F40 spin.After driving it for only half of a mile, Leno says he "already gets it," noting the car's visceral behavior and connected drive. It was Jeremy Clarkson said that this car's turbos "wake up, cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war." It looks like Leno experienced this happening firsthand.Check out the video below to see his drive in action.All Ferrari F40 For Sale

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