Motorsport

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 – January 24, 2025

Max Verstappen's Signed Red Bull F1 Simulator Raises Over...

The 1-of-1 racing simulator is off to its new home. Recently crowned a four-time F1 World Champion after dominating the 2024 season, Oracle Reb Bull Racing F1 driver Max Verstappen continues to grow as both a fan favorite on the track and a global superstar off the track. On the hunt for Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton's record of seven titles, Verstappen's ongoing pursuit has forever cemented himself as a legend in Formula 1. Max recently took part in an exclusive charity auction with Oracle Red Bull Racing, F1 Authentics, and Memento Exclusives, showcasing his class and professionalism outside of the cockpit. The auction's highlight was a 1-of-1 Motion RB19 Simulator signed by Max Verstappen, sporting the same iconic livery as the car winning 21 of the 22 races it competed in during the 2023 season. Selling for an impressive £100,000 ($127,866), the proceeds will go on to benefit Wings of Life's clinical trials and research projects to help find a cure for spinal cord injury. Within the last 20 years, Wings for Life has made real breakthroughs and believes a cure will be found within our lifetime. Along with the signed piece of Formula 1 history itself, the sale of the 1-of-1 simulator also comes with a special visit and tour of the Red Bull Racing Technology Campus in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. Autographed memorabilia from the Dutch legend are rare and hard to come by, making this edition of the Motion Simulator a true collector's gem. Shop all Oracle Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen memorabilia from F1 Authentics by clicking the link below. Shop F1 Authentics Source: Memento Exclusives/F1 Authentics

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 07, 2025

Adidas Joins Formula 1 In A Multi-Year Partnership With M...

Dominating Formula 1 for decades with a historical lineage of world-renowned drivers and team members, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 stands out as one of the most winning teams in the sport. It's the same passion and drive that Adidas puts into its industry-leading brand, which continues to conquer all areas of sport through its world-class athletes. Adidas is stepping into the fast lane with a new multi-year partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, marking its debut in Formula 1. The collaboration will kick off in 2025 with a fresh collection of team gear designed for drivers, engineers, and fans, from apparel to footwear. Fans can also look forward to exclusive, limited-edition drops throughout the season. The fuel-driven partnership is all about bringing together performance, style, and a shared love for one of the world's most exciting sports. Toto Wolff, head of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, sees this partnership as a perfect match, combining Adidas' iconic status with the team's quest for excellence. Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden shares the same excitement, highlighting how Formula 1's growing influence is shaping both streetwear and sports culture. With the first collection set to launch in February, the duo promises to combine speed and style in a way that celebrates F1's thrilling energy. Shop all current Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team gear by clicking the link below. Shop Now Source: Adidas

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 02, 2025

Dacia Sandriders Gear Up For The 2025 Dakar Rally

The Dacia Sandriders are ready for their next adventure. Dacia is gearing up for an epic challenge as the 2025 Dakar Rally kicks off in adventurous style, marking the opening round of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. After the team's successful first and second place finish at the Rallye du Maroc, the Dacia Sandriders team is ready to push the limits of endurance and racing skill across Arabia's grueling desert. Its off-road weapon of choice, the Sandrider, has undergone rigorous testing to prepare for the event’s nearly 3,200 miles of timed stages, with areas that test speed, navigation, and resilience. The journey begins in Bisha on January 3, where competitors will face ruthless sand dunes, rocky trails, and the extreme conditions synonymous with the Dakar Rally. With GPS as their only guide, teams will tackle punishing stages like the 48h Chrono, a 600-mile endurance marathon, and travcourse's course’s 12-day span, including a rest stop in Hail and an overnight pause in Riyadh before the finish in Shubay. Dacia’s three-car squad, led by Team Principal Tiphanie Isnard, couldn’t be more excited as they aim to build on their Moroccan success. Source: Dacia

By Charles Bradley – December 04, 2024

Genesis Confirms Sportscar Racing Program, Including Le M...

Genesis continues to build around its luxury automotive empire with a new major international motorsports program. Announced today in Dubai, the Korean-based brand introduced Genesis Magma Racing, marking its first major milestone in the motorsport arena in the endurance racing genre that includes the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. The centerpiece of its ambitious plan is the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar, which was revealed alongside the announcement of Genesis Magma Racing, and former Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul will serve as its Team Principal. The car will be built to the LMDh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid) rules set—a premier category that combines cutting-edge hybrid technology with standardized components to ensure cost control and competitive parity. LMDh cars compete in WEC and IMSA, making them a global platform for showcasing engineering excellence and innovation, and it joins the likes of Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Lamborghini and Porsche. “This entry into motorsport is a natural evolution for Genesis,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer of Genesis. “As we look to push the boundaries of our brand, motorsport allows us to bring the spirit of hyperspeed—which drives how we create and innovate—in a way that aligns perfectly with our core values: Audacious, Progressive, and Distinctly Korean.” Hyundai Motorsport GmbH, the motorsport arm of sister brand Hyundai, will support the Genesis motorsport operations in the prestigious World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026, followed by participation in IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA) in 2027. Germany’s Andre Lotterer and Luis ‘Pipo’ Derani of Brazil will lead the driver lineup to develop the GMR-001 Hypercar and race it. But, ahead of its WEC debut in 2026, the race team will collaborate with IDEC Sport to field an LMP2 entry in the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS). This will feature a lineup of emerging talent that includes former American F1 racer Logan Sargeant, leading female racer Jamie Chadwick, and 19-year-old Mathys Jaubert. Genesis brand makes fast progress As one of the newest players in the highly competitive luxury automotive arena, Genesis has impressed with its quick success. Beautiful designs and captivating details have made its lineup popular among luxury car buyers. The unveiling of the GMR-001 Hypercar, and the announcement of Genesis’ bold motorsport strategy, are part of the brand’s broader vision to redefine high-performance luxury. This vision extends beyond the racetrack and is embodied in the five unique Magma concept models that were displayed at the event, each representing the brand’s relentless pursuit of excellence in design and innovation since the introduction of the GV80 Coupe Concept in April 2023. The five models on display were: The GV80 Coupe Concept, G80 EV Magma Concept, the GV60 Magma Concept, the X Gran Berlinetta Concept, and the X Gran Racer VGT Concept. These concept models highlight the evolution of Genesis’s high-performance capabilities and showcase the Magma Program’s impact on the brand’s direction for its next phase. View All Genesis For Sale

By Charles Bradley – November 27, 2024

Maserati Commits To All-Electric Racing Future Through 2030

Maserati has committed its future to race in the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E World Championship until 2030, becoming the fifth manufacturer to sign-up to its Gen4 regulations that begin at the end of 2026. Maserati, which joined the global Formula E series in 2023, will continue to use a powertrain designed and developed by its parent company, Stellantis, although no announcement has been forthcoming about the future of its sister team, DS Penske. The Trident brand joins Jaguar, Lola, Nissan, and Porsche in committing to Formula E’s fourth generation of open-wheel racecars, which includes a power increase that will peak at 600kW. Maserati’s new CEO Santo Ficili, who took over from Davide Grasso in October, said: “For this brand, the bond between the track and the road is unbreakable and the evolution of the single-seaters shows how many possibilities for development electric mobility holds. “We will continue to draw major developments from the races in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, to transfer them into our 100% electric range that now consists of the Grecale Folgore SUV, the iconic GranTurismo Folgore and the GranCabrio Folgore convertible.” By 2025, all Maserati models will be available in a full-electric version, and the entire Maserati range will run on electricity alone by 2028. Jean-Marc Finot, senior VP, Stellantis Motorsport added: “Formula E is the perfect laboratory to improve the efficiency of the powertrain to increase range, and also to work on the high-power cells of the battery for fast charging to increase the range of mobility of our customers. “By putting these technologies with motorsport, this will carry over to our road cars. It is the best of both worlds.” View All Maseratis For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 14, 2024

How To Buy: PUMA x F1's Las Vegas GP-Inspired Neon Energy...

Returning to Sin City once again as part of its scheduled stops in North America, Formula 1 is ready to light up the Las Vegas strip at the 2020 F1 Las Vegas GP. In preparation for the weekend festivities, PUMA and Formula 1 just dropped their new Neon Energy Collection. Inspired by the non-stop pulse of the Las Vegas Strip, the collection combines vibrant neon colors, sound wave patterns, and bold purple graphics that celebrate both city nightlife and race-day adrenaline. It’s a cool mash-up of what makes Vegas iconic and what makes F1 racing feel so exciting. The lineup includes everything you need to balance motorsport energy and street style, including t-shirts, shorts, a padded vest, and a crewneck sweatshirt. As part of its accessories line, there's also a hat, sweatpants, and the PUMA Trinity sneakers. Each piece is designed to reflect the speed and rhythm of Formula 1, with a look and feel that’s perfect for days off the track but still connected to the rush of race weekends. Whether you’re gearing up for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in person or just need something fresh to throw on while watching from home, PUMA x F1 has you covered. Shop all PUMA x Formula fan gear and footwear by clicking the link below. Shop All PUMA x F1 Collections Source: PUMA

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 08, 2024

How To Buy: PUMA Motorsport x A$AP Rocky's New Collection

The collection is inspired by night racing and neon lights. With roots in fashion and motorsports, PUMA continues to gain traction worldwide as the ultimate one-stop shop for fan gear and automotive-inspired collections. In addition to massive partnerships with Formula 1 and industry-leading manufacturers like BMW, PUMA Motorsport has also appointed American rapper A$AP Rocky as the Creative Director for its collaboration with F1. After having success with his first collection drop as part of the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, A$AP Rocky and PUMA are back to debut its all-new Winter 2024 Collection. Last night, A$AP Rocky took over the PUMA NYC Flagship to unveil the clothing and footwear line with performances, customization stations, interactive photo moments, and giveaways. The new A$AP ROCKY x PUMA Collection draws inspiration from night racing with neon colors and bold graphics, giving classic motorsport styles a fresh, laid-back twist. The lineup features racing jerseys, jackets, shirts, pants, shorts, sneakers, and accessories, all designed with style and comfort in mind for those long days on and off the track. One highlight of the drop are the new Inhale Mesh sneaker, which showcases a classic style with a modern twist from A$AP Rocky himself. Now available online and in-store, shop the all-new PUMA x A$AP Rocky Collection by clicking the link below. Shop The Collection Our Top Picks Quilted Sweatshirt Shop Now Tool Box Bag Shop Now Long Sleeve Tee Shop Now Knee Pad Pants Shop Now Inhale Mesh Sneakers Shop Now Source: PUMA

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 24, 2024

Flatrock Motorclub Celebrates Grand Opening Of Its 'Club'...

The highly anticipated Flatrock Motorclub ‘Club’ track is finally here. Delivering a luxury lifestyle with once-in-a-lifetime automotive enthusiast-focused experiences, Flatrock Motorclub has been drumming up anticipation for its ‘Club’ circuit for quite some time. However, the moment has finally arrived for the race track to open to Flatrock Motorclub’s members, with the flag finally dropping for the circuit as a whole. The track boasts 3.5 miles, with 23 engaging turns and 127 feet in elevation changes. Its average speed of 101 mph, with many international circuits seeing average speeds of 90 to 95 mph, ensures that the ‘Club’ circuit at Flatrock Motorclub is especially engaging. The celebratory grand opening event saw members of Flatrock Motorclub get the opportunity to finally drive on the circuit at long last. Work began on the circuit over two years ago, in October 2022, and Flatrock Motorclub enlisted the help of The Transtec Group, which has expertise in pavement engineering, to ensure that the track was constructed to high standards with materials sourced locally from near its Cumberland County, Tennessee, location. Looking forward, Flatrock Motorclub plans to add a karting track and a members' clubhouse to its facility in 2025, as well as a Grand Prix track, a hotel, a restaurant, and various other amenities to deliver incredible automotive-focused luxury experiences. With its ‘Club’ circuit completed, Flatrock Motorclub’s dream of a luxury automotive oasis is quickly coming to fruition. Learn More Image Source: Flatrock Motorclub

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 22, 2024

Mercedes-Benz Takes Over Austin, TX For The 2024 United S...

It's finally that time of year again when the Lone Star state of Texas welcomes Formula One racing for a fuel-driven weekend of festivities at the Circuit of The Americas. Throughout the week, Austin transforms into an energetic motorsport haven where race fans party from downtown's famous Sixth Street to the trackside of COTA. Mercedes-Benz USA hosted an exciting two-day Race Day experience during the 2024 U.S. Grand Prix in Austin. The event celebrates Mercedes-Benz’s 130 years in motorsports, attracting 6,000 attendees, including owners, special guests, and F1 fans. One of the highlights was a surprise appearance by Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Junior Driver, who took part in fan meet and greets while speaking about his excitement for joining the F1 grid next season. Mercedes' lineup of AMG models was also on display, including the AMG GT 63, AMG SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE, and the Mercedes-AMG F1 W15. Fans could also purchase exclusive merchandise and participate in a raffle benefiting Safe Kids Worldwide. Other interactive experiences like Formula 1 simulators added to the fun, giving guests a taste of the high-speed world of motorsports. Mercedes-Benz’s long-standing motorsport legacy, dating back to its first race in 1894, was celebrated throughout the event, highlighting its role in shaping modern racing. Tune into F1 this weekend and shop all the best Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 fan gear from PUMA by clicking the link below. Shop All PUMA x Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 16, 2024

How To Buy: melin x John Hunter Nemechek's New "Strictly ...

melin gets track side with its new special edition release. As part of its creative collaboration series that styles a diverse portfolio of lifestyles and industries, melin just announced its newest release with NASCAR Cup Series driver John Hunter Nemechek. With 11 career Xfinity Series wins and 13 career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series wins, the 27-year-old now pilots the #42 Toyota Camry XSE for Legacy Motor Club. Designed by Nemechek, the new signature Odyssey Mindset HYDRO perfectly embodies his dedication to the sport of racing by showcasing his mantra, "Strictly Business" on the front face of the hat. The same bright red, green, and yellow hues flow into the inside of the Odyssey Hydro, depicting hand-drawn #42 race cars and even John Hunter Nemechek's logo. The Odyssey Mindset features a custom cinch sack and is equipped with an antimicrobial sweatband, water-resistant surface, and moisture-wicking lining to withstand anything. Wrapping up the motorsport-inspired collaboration in melin style, the special edition Odyssey Mindset HYDRO comes with a matching "Strictly Business draw-string bag for travel. Shop the all-new melin x John Hunter Nemechek Odyssey Mindset HYDRO by clicking the link below. Shop Now Source: melin

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