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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.

Future F1 Car Sells for $11.4M in McLaren Triple Crown Auction
F1 Car Sells for 10x the IndyCar Price

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.

THE 2026 ULTIMATUM: WHY NEXT SEASON IS "MAKE OR BREAK" FOR LEWIS HAMILTON

After a winless 2025 debut, Lewis Hamilton faces a pivotal year. See why Steiner believes the 7x champ is nearing the F1 exit.

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Hamilton’s exit clock is ticking

Guenther Steiner, who used to run the Haas team, thinks Lewis Hamilton might quit Formula 1 if Ferrari can't get to the top of the Driver's Championship by 2026—he thinks that season will be super important for the racing star.

Hamilton had a tough first year with Ferrari, ending up sixth in the F1 rankings with 156 points.

That was 86 points behind his teammate, Charles Leclerc, and he didn't even get on the podium once, which is a first for him in a full season.

He often said he was bummed out about how his Ferrari debut was going.

Back in November, after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, he told Sky Sports, I feel awful. This has been the worst season ever, and it just keeps getting worse no matter how hard I try. I'm trying everything I can, both in and out of the car.

Hamilton looked pretty sad a lot during the season because he couldn't really fight for race wins.

Steiner told Sports Krone, I think if Ferrari has a good car next season, Hamilton might be able to turn things around. If they are more competitive, Lewis might find his drive again. But if things stay the same, next season will probably be his last in Formula 1. He's not going to go through that again. The situation is tough for him, and you could see that in every interview. So, the next season will be key for him.

What's Hamilton saying about quitting?

When the media asks Hamilton about his F1 future, he doesn't want to talk about retiring.

At the end of the season, when someone asked him what he would say to those who think he might retire soon, the 40-year-old said, I wouldn't say anything to them. None of them have done what I've done, so they don't know anything more than I do.

Last summer, after some rumors that he might leave early, Hamilton said he's staying at Ferrari until his contract is up.

He said, For those writing stories about me thinking about not racing, I've just started here with Ferrari. I've been here for a few years, and I'm in it for the long run, so there's no question about what I'm focused on achieving with this team. There are zero doubts, so please stop making stuff up.

In 2026, everyone will still be wondering about Hamilton's future in F1, mainly if Ferrari keeps struggling with the new rules. And if Steiner is right, another year of not competing for a championship could be the end for him.

MAX VERSTAPPEN NAMED PEER-VOTED DRIVER OF THE YEAR FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE SEASON

Max Verstappen wins his 5th straight F1 peer award, beating champion Lando Norris. Lewis Hamilton drops out of the top 10 for the first time.

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Verstappen Wins Fifth Straight Peer Award

Max Verstappen copped his fifth straight driver-of-the-year award in Formula 1's secret peer vote, even though he almost grabbed a fifth title in 2025 but didn't quite make it.

The drivers all voted in secret, except for four guys. The Red Bull driver beat out Lando Norris, who just won the world championship, for the number one spot.

The voting worked like the normal F1 points system. Drivers ranked their top 10 rivals. Verstappen got 25 points from six votes to win.

Norris, who won his first championship after a crazy season, came in second in the driver rankings for the second year running.

The McLaren driver won the title after fighting off pressure from Verstappen and his teammate, Oscar Piastri, all season long.

George Russell took third, moving up one spot from last year. The Mercedes driver had a killer season with two wins and seven more podiums.

Piastri was fourth, up one spot, even though his championship hopes fizzled out near the end. The Aussie was leading by 34 points at one point before his performance dropped off.

Charles Leclerc finished fifth, down two spots, even though he got everything he could out of Ferrari's SF-25. The Monegasque driver had seven podiums during a tough season that saw Ferrari finish fourth.

Carlos Sainz held onto sixth after a great comeback at Williams. After a rough start, the Spaniard grabbed two podiums in a strong second half of the season.

Fernando Alonso jumped two spots to seventh, and the two-time world champion had some crazy drives in Aston Martin's AMR25.

Alex Albon took eighth after his best season with Williams, while rookies Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar rounded out the top 10, getting props for their awesome first seasons.

Pierre Gasly almost made the list, even with 10 Q3 appearances in Alpine's tricky A525.

Lewis Hamilton, who's won seven world championships, didn't show up in the rankings, which is a first since they started doing this poll. It shows how rough his first season at Ferrari was.

The four drivers who skipped the vote were Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg, Lance Stroll, and Yuki Tsunoda.

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