FUTURE F1 CAR SELLS FOR $11.4M IN MCLAREN TRIPLE CROWN AUCTION
The $11.48 million sale of a 2026 McLaren F1 car is analyzed. The unprecedented deal includes a Mercedes PU, Norris/Piastri chassis choice, Le Mans/Monaco VIP passes, and delivery in 2028.
McLaren's Triple Crown auction in Abu Dhabi, handled by RM Sotheby's, saw future Formula 1, IndyCar, and WEC Hypercar machines sold for a total of $19,927,500. The team, led by CEO Zak Brown, is sure to put those funds to good use.
The most affordable item was Pato O'Ward's No. 5 Arrow McLaren Dallara DW12-Chevrolet, the car he plans to race in his quest for his first Indianapolis 500 win in May. It went for $848,750. Next up was a Dallara-built 2027 McLaren United AS WEC Hypercar, which sold for $7,598,750—almost ten times the price of the DW12. This LMDh-based prototype is slated for the full WEC schedule, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, when the program kicks off in 2027.
The priciest sale was the 2026 McLaren Formula 1 Team MCL40A-Mercedes, which fetched $11,480,000. The buyer gets to pick a car used by either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri.
RM Sotheby's says the MCL40A comes with a few conditions. The car will have a 2026-spec power unit from Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains and will sport its season livery.
Because of strict rules designed to keep rivals from accessing intellectual property (especially important with the 2026 technical regulation changes), McLaren Racing will give the MCL40A to the winner at the close of the first quarter of 2028. Until then, the team will provide a 2025 non-functional show car for display. Once the private owner receives the chassis, it can be used in demo runs and at track days, supported by McLaren Racing engineers and mechanics to meet the operational and technical needs of McLaren Racing, MHPP, the FIA, and the FIA's suppliers.
Operational F1 cars have rarely ended up in private hands since the start of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014. Plus, it's not often that non-professional drivers get to experience such current machines so soon after their racing days. That's what makes the sale of an MCL40A that hasn't even raced yet so special.
To make the opportunity even better, the winner will get exclusive access to the McLaren Racing team (as noted here and in the Bidder's Conditions of Business) and the first chance to buy a future McLaren Formula 1 racing car, if McLaren offers it. They and five guests will also get to meet Brown, Norris, and Piastri and tour the McLaren Technology Centre headquarters in Woking before the 2026 F1 season. They can also attend the car's official launch and two races, including the Monaco Grand Prix. This includes VIP hospitality and access, plus the chance to watch track sessions from the team's pit garage and the McLaren Team Hub.
The car can be driven in demo runs and at track days, with full support from Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrain engineers for the power unit and McLaren Racing for the chassis, and according to FIA requirements.
The auction house says the O'Ward Indy car winner will have it delivered at the close of the first quarter of 2028 in race-ready condition with running equipment. The 2026 car also comes with awesome extras. Arrow McLaren will give the buyer four VIP tickets to the Indy 500, including hospitality, a team garage tour, and pit and paddock access. The lucky four will also get a two-seater ride around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Also included is a tour of the new Arrow McLaren facility, dinner for four with Team Principal and 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan and President Kevin Thimjon, plus an autographed set of overalls worn by O'Ward during a track session leading up to the big race.
The McLaren LMDh has a shorter delivery time. After the 2027 season, the winner will get their hypercar directly from the factory at the close of the first quarter of 2028, in its season livery. The LMDh car, with a chassis tag bearing the new owner's name, will be handed over in race-ready condition with all necessary running gear. It can also be used on track under the prescribed standards of operational and technical management, as well as FIA/ACO/IMSA LMDh rules. The owner will be invited to McLaren Pure driving events.
The buyer will own the WEC Hypercar and receive a book about the selected chassis, documenting its track history. An autographed race suit worn by one of the yet-to-be-named McLaren United AS drivers is also included.
The winner will also receive four VIP tickets and hospitality at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2026, plus hospitality for two at that year's Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500. While their future car makes its mark, they will also get two hospitality tickets for all rounds of the 2027 FIA WEC campaign. This also includes a private tour of the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking and access to buy future special-edition McLaren cars.
SERGIO PEREZ BREAKS SILENCE ON CADILLAC’S FIRST FOUR RACES OF 2026 F1 SEASON
Discover why Sergio Perez is confident in Cadillac’s 2026 path despite urgent needs for better pace and reliability fixes.
Sergio Perez didn’t waste time sharing his thoughts on Cadillac after the first four races of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Cadillac shows up in 2026 as F1’s newest team, but honestly, not a lot of people expected fireworks right away. With veterans like Valtteri Bottas and Perez behind the wheel, the team’s start has been a mix, some moments full of promise, others derailed by reliability issues.
Still, Cadillac isn’t just stuck at the back. Lately, they’ve been right there fighting with Aston Martin and even managed to split them in Miami, which turned a few heads.
Perez knows the team is at risk of falling behind in this crazy-fast development race, though. “We still have work to do, but I’m confident we’re on the right path,” he told reporters, including Motorsport Week.
He added, “Sometimes, once tyre degradation sets in, we can hang with the midfield, but they always seem to find another gear. There’s a long way to go this season, but we’re in a rush to find more pace. We know Aston will get stronger, and we don’t want to be left behind.”
Racing Aston Martin has actually brought Perez some enjoyment. He especially likes battling Fernando Alonso, calling those fights fair and satisfying. Still, he pointed out a weak spot: “We’re having fun with them. Racing Fernando is always great because he’s so fair. But we struggled with tyre degradation; we burnt through them too quickly. We picked the hard compound, but honestly, looking back, I should’ve gone with the soft.”
He said there’s plenty to analyse, and really, the key is getting a better grip on their car as they look ahead to Canada. “We don’t have much time, but in the short term, we need to fix the degradation. We have some ideas, but putting them together is our biggest challenge in the next few weeks.”
Cadillac may be the new kid on the block and still finding its feet, but it’s already starting to make an impact. The road out of the lower ranks won’t be easy, but they’re moving in the right direction.
HOW KIMI ANTONELLI’S THREE-RACE WIN STREAK IS REDEFINING THE MERCEDES TEAM HIERARCHY
With a 43-second gap in Miami, Antonelli proves he’s ready to lead the World Championship. Can Russell bounce back in Canada?
David Coulthard, the former Formula 1 driver, recently pointed out that Kimi Antonelli might be on track to overtake George Russell as Mercedes’ team leader.
Antonelli has been on an impressive run, clinching victories in the last three races and pulling ahead by 20 points over his main competitor and teammate, Russell.
At the Miami race, the young Italian once again outperformed his more seasoned teammate, with Russell managing only fourth place, trailing by 43 seconds.
Coulthard acknowledged Antonelli’s rapid rise in 2026, which is just his second season in F1. He highlighted Antonelli’s strengths and suggested that the Italian is, in many ways, now leading the Mercedes team.
“He’s come of age,” Coulthard said during the Up To Speed podcast.
Despite being relatively new, Antonelli has shown resilience, dealing not only with the pressure from a driver like Lando ready to strike but also with technical glitches like inconsistent paddle shifts. Coulthard mentioned how Antonelli kept his cool even when his engineer, Bono, was trying to help troubleshoot the issue in a tense moment.
“I think he’s earned the right to lead the World Championship,” Coulthard added, noting that this situation probably feels uncomfortable for George. Still, the expectations now lean heavily toward Antonelli leading the team, especially based on recent results.
Coulthard also pointed out that Russell has the experience and skill to reclaim his position as the team’s lead driver, but emphasised that only one can come out on top; someone must finish first and the other second.
The rivalry between them might start opening doors for other teams. Coulthard noted that improvements from McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull were already noticeable, especially in Miami.
“Winning in the best car isn’t always straightforward. Many have tried and struggled,” he said.
For Russell, who is feeling the weight of this momentum shift, the upcoming race in Canada will be crucial if he wants to close the gap and halt Antonelli’s winning streak.
