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.
KIMI ANTONELLI LEADS F1; GEORGE RUSSELL DROPS TO FOURTH AFTER FRUSTRATING P4 FINISH AT SUZUKA
Kimi Antonelli leads the F1 championship! Discover why George Russell is under fire, and Max Verstappen is eyeing a Mercedes seat.
Heading into 2026, everyone had George Russell pegged as the clear favourite for the F1 drivers’ title. Now, Kimi Antonelli is the one stealing the spotlight.
Russell’s in the toughest spot of his Mercedes career, and every time his 19-year-old teammate lays down another blistering lap, the pressure ramps up.
Back-to-back wins in China and Japan haven’t just made Antonelli a real threat for the championship hey’ve totally changed the vibe in the Mercedes garage. Suddenly, everyone’s looking at Russell differently.
It’s a harsh reality. Russell’s now 28, this is his fifth season with Mercedes, and before the season, the bookies put him at the top. But things haven’t gone his way: car problems and Antonelli off to a flying start have made life as the team’s “senior driver” anything but easy.
Antonelli is leading the championship with 97 points; he’s 22 clear of Russell, and he’s won two of the season’s first three races.
The pressure on Russell goes deeper than just being outscored by his teammate. The clock’s ticking, and the spectre of Max Verstappen isn’t going away.
Antonelli’s rise has been ruthless. He’s snagged a pole in both China and Japan. Every big result just confirms what some at Mercedes are starting to admit: he looks like the future, especially since he’s so good on the tough tyre compounds.
Antonelli himself isn’t pretending he’s the finished product. After his win in Japan, where he slipped back to sixth at the start, by the way, he said his launches off the line “definitely” need work. “It’s been a weak point this year, and I need to improve that because you can easily win or lose races with that.” Still, he’s on top. After Japan, he said, “It’s too early to think about the championship, but we’re in a good way.” He’s ambitious, but grounded.
Russell, meanwhile, battled a rear suspension setup issue at Suzuka. Too much oversteer, not enough grip. Toto Wolff admitted the tweak “put the car on the nose” and hurt them on Sunday. Russell crossed the line fourth, losing more ground to Antonelli.
People are noticing the shift. Christian Danner, former F1 driver, reckons Russell’s going to fight back. Maybe he will. But as the points gap grows and each race builds Antonelli’s reputation, talk is cheap.
Here’s the wild card: Mercedes could go for Verstappen.
The four-time champ is sitting in ninth, with only 12 points after three rounds. That’s foreign territory for Max. With Red Bull floundering and upcoming 2026 rules causing headaches, he’s reportedly rethinking his future there.
Sure, Verstappen’s Red Bull contract goes through 2028. But there are performance clauses he can walk if he’s outside the top two by summer break. That’s not looking so far-fetched the way things are standing.
He’s called the new cars “fundamentally flawed.” Is he admitting he’s “seriously considering quitting Formula 1.” And last year? Mercedes and Verstappen’s people were in talks. It even held up Russell’s contract talks with Wolff.
If Verstappen comes on the market, you know Wolff’s going to take a serious look. He’s openly a fan. For Russell, that’s unsettling. If Mercedes keeps winning and Verstappen wants in, Russell’s seat isn’t safe.
Russell came to Mercedes back in 2022, expecting to be a title contender. He got his first win in São Paulo that year, and he’s been a reliable points finisher, fourth in the 2025 standings with 319 points, a personal best.
But being “reliable” doesn’t cut it when a teenager is beating you and a superstar like Verstappen could be about to knock on the door.
It’s only been three races, but Antonelli’s already ahead 2–1 in both qualifying and race results, and those two are poles and outright wins.
Wolff tried to pump up Russell before things got started, calling him “one of the best” and saying it was nice he was the bookies’ top pick. But Wolff also tipped Antonelli to step up in his second season. That’s already coming true.
Russell’s shot at a championship is getting slimmer by the week. If Antonelli keeps this up and if Verstappen’s name enters the mix, Mercedes has some massive decisions ahead.
At this point, Russell’s fighting for more than just a title. He’s fighting to prove he deserves a place at the top at all.
ZAK BROWN COMPLETES A "RED BULL HAT-TRICK" BY SIGNING GIANPIERO LAMBIASE FOR 2028
Zak Brown confirms GianPiero Lambiase joins McLaren as Chief Racing Officer. See how this impacts Red Bull and Verstappen.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has finally spoken up after landing GianPiero Lambiase as the team’s new Formula 1 Chief Racing Officer starting in 2028.
News of Lambiase’s move from Red Bull to McLaren has already got people buzzing in the paddock. And really, it’s a big deal that the reigning constructors’ champions just added another heavyweight to their ranks. First, Rob Marshall, known for his aerodynamic expertise, came on board. Then Will Courtenay, the former Head of Strategy, joined too. Now, Lambiase completes the trio.
We still don’t know exactly what Lambiase will be handling, but he’ll report to Team Principal Andrea Stella, who’s been rumoured to have caught Ferrari’s eye.
Brown couldn’t hide his excitement in his first public comments. He went on X to announce: “Happy to share that GianPiero Lambiase will join the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team as Chief Racing Officer, reporting into Team Principal Andrea Stella, when his contract ends no later than 2028. He joins an incredible team under Andrea’s leadership, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.”
Red Bull’s statement had a totally different vibe. The team confirmed Lambiase would leave in 2028, when his contract is up, but stopped short of saying when he could head over to McLaren. “GP is a valued member of the team, who joined in 2015. Until his planned departure, GP continues in his roles as head of racing and as race engineer to Max Verstappen. The team and he are fully committed to adding more success to our strong track record together.”
Honestly, Zak Brown is shaking things up in the F1 paddock. He’s snagging Red Bull’s big names, much like Christian Horner did to Mercedes when the ground effect era started. Lambiase’s decision to join McLaren really does feel like the end of an era for Red Bull.
