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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

Rick Hendrick’s Ferrari Hypercar Collection Headlines Heritage Invitational

By Sponsored Article – March 30, 2026

Rick Hendrick’s Ferrari Collection At Heritage Invitational

The Heritage Invitational at Ten Tenths Motor Club will showcase a rare gathering of Ferrari’s most celebrated halo cars from the personal collection of NASCAR team owner and renowned collector Rick Hendrick, a partner in Ten Tenths Motor Club. On display: the 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO, 1992 Ferrari F40, 1996 Ferrari F50, 2003 Ferrari Enzo and 2015 LaFerrari — five icons spanning three decades of performance, innovation and design. The big picture:Ferrari’s flagship supercars are rolling laboratories — each born from racing, each pushing the limits of its era. Together, they represent a lineage of engineering ambition that traces its roots to the same spirit of experimentation and mechanical artistry that defined pre-war automotive ingenuity. THE LINEUP 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO Why it matters: Ferrari’s first modern “supercar,” it reignited the GTO namePower: 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 producing approximately 400 horsepowerPerformance: 0-60 mph in about 4.9 seconds; top speed around 189 mph — extraordinary for the mid-1980sLegacy: The 288 GTO’s lightweight composite body and turbocharged powerplant signaled Ferrari’s return to cutting-edge performance engineering. It echoes the experimental competition cars of the 1930s, when innovation often outpaced regulation. 1992 Ferrari F40 Why it matters: Built to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary and the last model personally approved by Enzo FerrariPower: 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-8 rated at 471 horsepowerPerformance: 0-60 mph in roughly 3.8 seconds; top speed exceeding 200 mphLegacy: With extensive carbon fiber, Kevlar and Nomex, the F40 was a lightweight statement of speed. Its stripped-down, competition-focused ethos mirrors the single-minded engineering of pre-war Grand Prix machines — purpose-built and unapologetically mechanical. 1996 Ferrari F50 Why it matters: A Formula One car for the roadPower: 4.7-liter naturally aspirated V-12 derived from Ferrari’s 1990 F1 engine, producing 520 horsepowerPerformance: 0-60 mph in about 3.6 seconds; top speed around 202 mphLegacy: Featuring a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and pushrod suspension, the F50 showcased direct technology transfer from racing to road. That philosophy traces to the early decades of motorsport, when advancements in competition rapidly shaped production automobiles. 2003 Ferrari Enzo Why it matters: Named for the company’s founder, the Enzo represented Ferrari’s new millennium flagship.Power: 6.0-liter V-12 delivering 651 horsepowerPerformance: 0-60 mph in approximately 3.1 seconds; top speed around 217 mphLegacy: The Enzo integrated advanced aerodynamics and materials science, much as pre-war innovators embraced supercharging, lightweight alloys and wind-tunnel experimentation to gain competitive edges. 2015 LaFerrari Why it matters: Ferrari’s first hybrid production car and the most powerful road car in the brand’s history at launch.Power: 6.3-liter V-12 paired with an electric motor for a combined 949 horsepowerPerformance: 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds; top speed in excess of 217 mph.Legacy: By pairing electrification with a naturally aspirated V-12, LaFerrari demonstrates that innovation is the throughline of automotive progress. WHY IT FITS THE HERITAGE INVITATIONAL The Heritage Invitational celebrates the artistry, engineering and cultural impact of the automobile — from brass-era pioneers to modern hypercars. While these Ferraris are products of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, they embody the same relentless experimentation that defined pre-war marques such as Alfa Romeo, Bugatti and Mercedes-Benz. WHAT ELSE TO EXPECT The Heritage Invitational is more than a concours display. It is a full-throttle weekend of motorsports and social experiences at Ten Tenths Motor Club. Friday highlights include: IROC Racing: A nod to the International Race of Champions, bringing drivers together in identically prepared machinery for pure, talent-driven competition.Vintage Indy Exhibition: Historic Indy cars take to the circuit in a celebration of open-wheel heritage and engineering evolution.Pro-Am Event: Competitive action pairing seasoned drivers with amateur racers, blending accessibility with elite performance.Off track, guests can expect curated hospitality, premium culinary offerings and opportunities to connect with collectors, drivers and industry leaders in an elevated club atmosphere. HOW TO GET TICKETS Tickets, hospitality packages and VIP experiences are available for purchase now at www.heritageinvitational.com. Buy Tickets

Palm Beach Cavallino Classic Celebrates 35 Years With A Record Show

By Canossa Events – February 18, 2026

2026 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic Breaks Records

The 2026 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic just concluded, and this year’s event not only celebrated a series of firsts like being held at The Boca Raton, introducing the Legacy Class to the Concorso, premiering the new Ferrari 849 Testarossa, and debuting the Cavallino Auction presented by RM Sotheby’s, but it also marked the 35th anniversary of the iconic, Ferrari-dedicated event, which is owned by Canossa Events, part of duPont REGISTRY Group. The 35th anniversary Palm Beach Cavallino Classic proved to be one of the most successful iterations of the event yet, with over 360 automobiles brought together during the weekend, celebrating Ferrari masterpieces from the ‘60s through the ‘90s, and especially highlighting rare and special models from throughout the history of the manufacturer in its one-of-a-kind Concours. In the Gran Turismo category, the Best of Show winner was the 1956 410 Superamerica #0475 SA, and in the Competizione category, the Best of Show winner was the 1948 166 MM Berlinetta #02C/020 I. Other award-winning cars included the Chairman’s Award-winning 1 964 275 GTB Competizione Speciale #6701, the 166 MM Barchetta #002M winning a “The Very First” award as the first Ferrari to ever be imported to the US, the 1981 400i #F101C01033847, which won the Preservation Award, the 1960 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione Passo Corto #2231 GT, which won the Restoration Award, the 1959 250 California Passo Lungo #1217 GT, winning the Elegance Award, and many more. <- Gallery -> In total, over 80 Platinum Awards were assigned at this year’s Palm Beach Cavallino Classic, a testament to the incredible caliber of vehicles that were on display. Other successes at the event included the Regional Premiere of the new Ferrari 849 Testarossa at the event’s Party Under The Stars, the Cavallino Auction by RM Sotheby’s, which included the $5.23 million sale of a LaFerrari hypercar, and the debut of a new venue, the historic Boca Raton. Regarding the new location, Enzo Mattioli Ferrari said, “The new venue, everybody loved it. Of course, I have a soft spot for The Breakers – it has that charm of The Great Gatsby somehow – but at The Boca Raton, we were able to have all the cars on the lawn at the same level. I think the guests loved it… We had the greatest cars of all time, because we celebrated the 35th anniversary of Cavallino Classic, so we had the legacy Cavallino cars that won Best of Show in the previous 35 years. They were all outstanding cars. I actually sent a picture to my grandfather [Piero Ferrari]. He replied and said: ‘Oh yeah, you’re having the big stuff there! Next time I’m coming’ – so hopefully we’ll see him here next year.” After 35 years, the iconic Palm Beach Cavallino Classic deserved a proper celebration for a milestone year, and the 2026 event delivered on that, and then some. Future 2026 Cavallino events will be taking place in Monaco in April, Modena in May, and the Middle East in December. For more luxury-focused automotive events from duPont REGISTRY Group, be sure to check out Cars On 5th, Rétromobile New York, and Miami Concours. Learn More About Cavallino

Over 300 Ferraris Take Over Palm Beach For 2026 Cavallino Classic

By Canossa Events – February 10, 2026

Over 300 Ferraris Come To Palm Beach Cavallino Classic 2026

The countdown to the 2026 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic is almost over, and this year’s show is a particularly anticipated one, as it marks the 35th anniversary of the iconic annual Ferrari event. The Palm Beach Cavallino Classic, hosted by Canossa Events, part of duPont REGISTRY Group, is the world’s largest event solely devoted to Ferraris, and as the 2026 event marks a milestone anniversary, this year’s Cavallino Classic has the theme: 35 Years of Love. Over 300 Ferrari cars are gathering in the South Florida oasis, including both road and race cars, with luxury hospitality, Ferrari passion, and, of course, the Concorso d’Eleganza event at the center. However, the 35th anniversary event will feature various firsts for Cavallino Classic, as well, like the location being The Boca Raton, the addition of the Cavallino Legacy Class to the Concorso, selecting past Cavallino Classic Best of Show cars, and the Cavallino Auction, held by RM Sotheby’s with incredible cars crossing the block. Attendees will also get the chance to admire luxury on the water, with the Riva Aquariva Special at the Boca Raton Lagoon. The highly anticipated weekend starts on February 13th with the Cavallino Legacy class exhibition at The Breakers, and the event’s Tour d’Eleganza, which ends with the Party Under The Stars at The Boca Raton, and continues until Sunday, February 15th, when the show moves to the Mar-a-Lago Club for the Classic and Sport Sunday. As Cavallino Classic Palm Beach celebrates its 35th anniversary, the 2026 event is going to be one of the most exciting iterations of it ever, and it’s coming very soon. Learn More & Buy Tickets <- Gallery -> Image Source: Canossa Events

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