In 1988, four McLaren leadersโRon Dennis, Gordon Murray, Mansour Ojjeh, and Creighton Brownโset out to build the greatest road-going sports car ever created. Their goal was to apply Formula One engineering directly to a production car. The result was the McLaren F1, a machine that introduced multiple industry firsts, including a full carbon-composite monocoque, a central driving position with two offset passenger seats, fan-assisted aerodynamics, and electronically managed brake cooling.
Launched in 1992 after extensive research and development, the F1 pushed engineering beyond anything attempted in its era. It used more than 5,000 bespoke components, weighed just over 2,500 pounds, and omitted driver aids such as traction control and ABS to preserve purity. Power came from a BMW-built 6.1-liter V12 producing 627 bhp, paired with a custom transverse gearbox designed specifically to handle its torque.
Suspension, braking, wheels, and even tires were engineered from scratch to balance comfort with extreme capability. Aerodynamics relied on an active rear foil and airflow management inspired by Murrayโs Formula One experience. The result was performance figures that redefined road-car expectations, including a 240 mph top speed.
Only 64 McLaren F1 road cars were built, and chassis 014โthe 14th producedโis set to headline RM Sothebyโs Abu Dhabi auction on December 5 with an estimate above $21 million. Originally finished in Titanium Yellow with a black leather and Alcantara interior, it was delivered new to the Brunei Royal Family before being exported to the United Kingdom. There, it was sold through former McLaren Cars director David Clark and returned to the factory for full servicing.
The car later moved to the United States, spending time in New York and California. Its maintenance was handled by BMW of North America in Montvale, the official McLaren service arm at the time. In August 2006, with only 3,224 miles, it was purchased by a long-term owner who sent it back to McLaren in 2007 for a complete rebuild. The car received an Ibis White repaint and the High-Downforce Kitโone of only eight F1s to get this upgrade. Additional updates included revised headlights, a new exhaust, OZ Racing wheels, and an LM-spec interior.
Before repainting, the door sill carried a 1996 Michael Schumacher autograph; afterward, Lewis Hamilton added his signature. The car saw increased U.S. use, received major service in 2018, and now shows 13,711 miles under ownership in Denmark.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
