McLaren is set to offer five of its historic, race-ready Formula One cars to private collectors. These machines, which have been piloted by several world champions, will be managed through high-end dealer Tom Hartley Jr. The sale aims to transition these vehicles from long-term museum storage to active collectors, as the manufacturer seeks to keep its racing heritage visible and functional. We believe that is the best way to keep our history alive and our heritage business active. Our priority, and McLaren’s, is to find the right homes for them.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown stated that keeping such iconic machinery in storage serves as a disservice to their legacy.
He noted that the team wants to see these cars used and enjoyed by owners, ensuring their history remains active. Hartley Jr., who previously handled the dispersal of collections for former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and late co-owner Mansour Ojjeh, emphasized the unique nature of the deal. He remarked that acquiring race-proven Grand Prix cars directly from their original manufacturer is an exceptionally rare opportunity for any collector. Hartley Jr. also sold the collection of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and 20 road cars belonging to the late McLaren co-owner Mansour Ojjeh.
The collection spans over three decades of McLaren history. It includes two MP4/6A chassis, numbered 04 and 07, which feature Honda V12 engines and were utilized during the 1991 championship campaign. Chassis 04 famously secured second place during a one-two finish at the San Marino Grand Prix, while chassis 07 earned runner-up honors at the British Grand Prix. Both vehicles have been in the team’s possession ever since their initial racing days. Starting with two MP4/6A cars (chassis numbers 04 and 07 with Honda V12 engines) raced by Austrian Gerhard Berger and tested by Senna during the 1991 title-winning campaign, the five span 32 years of McLaren history.
Also available is a 2012 MP4/27A chassis, which was raced by 2009 world champion Jenson Button and utilized for testing by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. The selection is rounded out by two machines piloted by reigning champion Lando Norris: the 2021 MCL35M, which earned podium finishes in Imola, Monaco, and Monza, and the 2023 MCL37A-03. A 2012 McLaren MP4/27A (chassis 01) raced by 2009 world champion Jenson Button and tested by seven-times world champion Hamilton is also for sale. The 2021 McLaren MCL35M took Norris to the podium in Imola, Monaco and Monza while the 2023 MCL37A-03 won successive races in Singapore and Japan and was tested post-season by a roster of drivers including Norris’s tea.
The 2023 model holds particular intrigue, having been used for filming by actor Brad Pitt. During a private test session at the Circuit of the Americas in June last year to support production of his F1 movie, Pitt reportedly reached speeds of 197mph. This car stands as the most modern Formula One machine ever offered for private acquisition.
While specific asking prices remain undisclosed, industry experts estimate the values could range from 5 million pounds ($6.7 million) up to 10 million pounds. For comparison, a 2010 MP4-25A driven by Hamilton sold for 4.8 million pounds in 2021, and a 2001 championship-winning Ferrari fetched $7.5 million in 2017.
Hartley noted that there is no time pressure to finalize these sales, as the primary goal for both the dealer and the manufacturer is to identify suitable, dedicated caretakers for each vehicle. The cars are being prepared by the reigning constructors’ champions to ensure they remain in peak condition for their future owners.
