After the manufacturer’s rapid rise to success within multiple categories, and despite Bruce’s death in 1970, McLaren continued to build upon previous achievements, growing into the legendary brand that it is today. Over the next few decades, McLaren continued to win countless races and multiple championships with some of the greatest drivers of all time behind the wheel of their cars. A year later, the company built the first true McLaren race car, the M1 (24 customer cars were produced by Elva). McLaren is now transitioning toward a future of hybrid and electric powertrains. In 2021, the company introduced the Artura, its first series-production hybrid supercar.
Unreleased vehicles
The brand’s commitment to innovation, engineering excellence, and attention to detail has allowed the McLaren name to break through the walls of the industry and become recognizable worldwide. Here’s a detailed look at the extensive history of the McLaren brand. McLaren’s Formula One founder Bruce McLaren was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1937,6 and learned about cars and engineering at his parents’ service station and workshop there. His mentor, Jack Brabham, introduced him to Cooper Car Company, a small team based in Surbiton, Surrey. Auspiciously starting his Formula One career in 1958, McLaren joined the Formula One team a year later.
- In 2024, McLaren still competes at the very top of the performance car segment, producing some of the most refined sports/supercars on the market.
- McLaren launched its current three-tier product structure in 2015, dividing their range of cars into the Sports, Super, and Ultimate Series.
- McLaren, a name synonymous with high-performance sports cars and Formula 1 racing, boasts a rich history characterized by innovation, engineering excellence, and a relentless pursuit of speed.
- Working his way up through club races in and around his native Auckland, Bruce’s skill took him to the pinnacle of motorsport – Formula 1™.
Based in Woking, Surrey, McLaren has become one of the most iconic names in motorsport and luxury car manufacturing, blending racing pedigree with cutting-edge design and performance. The 1990s saw McLaren continue its success on the track with the introduction of the McLaren F1 road car, which debuted in 1992. The F1 was a groundbreaking vehicle, featuring a central driving position, lightweight construction, and a BMW V12 engine. It became the fastest production car in the world, setting a standard for performance that has influenced supercars ever since. McLaren, a name synonymous with high-performance sports cars and Formula 1 racing, boasts a rich history characterized by innovation, engineering excellence, and a relentless pursuit of speed. Founded in 1963 by New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren, the company has evolved from a small racing team into one of the most prestigious automotive brands in the world.
McLaren Customer Racing
With a combined 903 horsepower from its V8 engine and electric motor, the P1 was capable of extraordinary performance while incorporating Formula One-derived technologies like DRS (Drag Reduction System). The McLaren F1 GTR racing variant debuted at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 and astonishingly won outright. The car’s racing success further elevated the brand’s reputation for performance and engineering brilliance. The new millennium brought challenges for McLaren, including fierce competition and fluctuating performance. However, the team remained competitive, with standout performances from drivers like Lewis Hamilton, who won the Drivers’ Championship in 2008. The partnership with Mercedes-Benz also strengthened McLaren’s technological capabilities, as the team continued to innovate in car design and performance.
Supercars
Today, McLaren stands as a symbol of innovation and performance in both motorsport and automotive engineering. The brand’s legacy is built on a foundation of racing success, groundbreaking technology, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. As McLaren continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible, ensuring that its storied history will continue to inspire future generations of drivers and enthusiasts alike. In 2010, McLaren launched the MP4-12C, its first new road car since the F1, marking a return to the supercar market.
- This innovation not only enhanced safety but also improved the car’s overall performance.
- His vision was to create a car that could compete at the highest levels of motorsport, and he quickly found success with the McLaren M1 sports car in the Can-Am series.
- In 1964, after his success in different categories, the first McLaren racecar, the M1A, was built.
- The Senna, in particular, was designed to be the ultimate track car with road-legal status, named in tribute to the legendary Ayrton Senna.
- Based in Woking, Surrey, McLaren has become one of the most iconic names in motorsport and luxury car manufacturing, blending racing pedigree with cutting-edge design and performance.
- McLaren pioneered the use of carbon fibre in motor racing with its new car, the MP4/1, bringing new levels of rigidity and driver safety to Formula 1.
Motorsport
This model was well-received and established McLaren as a serious player in the high-performance automotive sector. Subsequent models, including the 720S and the McLaren P1, further showcased the brand’s commitment to engineering excellence and cutting-edge technology. McLaren is built on the commitment, courage and creativity of our people. To the ingenious engineers, designers and technicians behind the scenes.
The entry-level Sports Series consists of the 570S, 570S Spider, 570GT, 540C, 600LT and 600LT Spider. The Super Series, considered to be McLaren’s core model range, originally included the 650S, 625C, and 675LT. These were replaced with the 720S in 2017 (and 720S Spider in 2018). The high-end Ultimate Series was led by the P1 and P1 GTR, now it includes the Senna, Senna GTR and the upcoming Speedtail, intended to be the successor to the original F1. The F1 and 12C were retroactively included in the Ultimate and Super Series, respectively.
Senna GTR
Discover why the McLaren Artura hybrid supercar won Autocar’s Driver’s Car award — with lightweight design, top performance, and thrilling dynamics. The partnership between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren resulted in three further cars being proposed. The P9 was to be a mid-engined baby supercar with a less expensive model, with the P8 (or “SLS”) competing with cars such as the Ferrari F430, Bentley Continental GT, and Aston Martin DB9. In the late 1990s, McLaren partnered with Mercedes-Benz, resulting in a resurgence. Mika Häkkinen won back-to-back world championships in 1998 and 1999. The relationship with Mercedes laid the groundwork for future road car collaborations.
F1 GTR and Racing Success
In 1984, Lauda was joined by Alain Prost, with Lauda taking the title despite Prost achieving more race wins. Prost went on to win the 1985 season, which was also Nicki Lauda’s last in the sport. After Hunt’s championship win, McLaren’s performance went downhill over the next few years. However, in 1980, the team merged with the Project 4 racing team, putting Ron Dennis at the helm.
DaimlerChrysler was the engine supplier to McLaren Racing through its Formula One partner Mercedes-Benz division. The final stages of production of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren took place at a designated assembly facility at the McLaren Technology Centre. While technologically advanced, the SLR McLaren was met with mixed reviews. Some praised its performance and exclusivity, while others felt it lacked the purity of focus found in the McLaren F1. Nonetheless, it served as a vital bridge to McLaren’s future as an independent car manufacturer.
The structure was expanded to include the GT Series with the release of the McLaren GT in 2019. The Artura is built on an all-new, lightweight carbon fiber platform developed to accommodate hybrid and electric technologies. McLaren plans to use this architecture for its next generation of vehicles. With drivers such as Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, and powered by Honda engines, the team dominated F1.
A total of 19 McLaren GT customer teams contested the 2013 season, entering 108 races across 15 championships globally. In total, the teams claimed 27 pole positions, 23 victories, a further 39 podium finishes and three championship titles. McLaren also developed limited-run track-focused models like the 600LT, 675LT, and the Senna, each offering increased performance, reduced weight, and enhanced aerodynamics. The Senna, in particular, was designed Top cryptocurrency trading strategies to be the ultimate track car with road-legal status, named in tribute to the legendary Ayrton Senna. In 2010, McLaren Automotive was officially established as a separate entity from the Formula One team. The goal was to create a line of McLaren-branded road cars using in-house technology, without depending on partnerships.
The best way to know McLaren, is to understand the cars that define who we are… McLaren Automotive is based at the McLaren Technology Centre, alongside the rest of the McLaren Group, and at the adjacent McLaren Production Centre. The two facilities are connected by a subterranean walkway, with the MPC built partially underground to minimise its presence.
