Official McLaren F1 certification service announced as McLaren Special Operations reveals F1 GTR ‘25R’ restoration at Hampton Court Concours of Elegance First factory programme to authenticate McLaren F1 supercar now available to owners New service aims to safeguard originality of iconic car for future generations Ex-Le Mans F1 GTR ‘25R’ … [ Read more ]
History and Evolution
"There isn't another car in the world which comes so close to the racing car experience and yet is so easy to drive."
— Bernhard Schmidt | BMW Magazine
McLaren M6A 1967
Power and Engineering
"It is categorically the finest engine in production, some say the best ever."
— Steve Sutcliffe | Autocar
Tires
The McLaren F1 uses 235/45 ZR17 front tires and 315/45 ZR17 rear tires. These are specially designed and developed solely for the McLaren F1 by Goodyear and Michelin.
The tires are mounted on 17-by-9-inch front, and 17-by-11.5-inch rear five-spoke cast magnesium wheels, coated with a protective paint and secured by magnesium retention pins.
Brakes
The F1 features unassisted, vented and cross-drilled brake discs made by Brembo. Front size is 13.1 in and at the rear 12.0 in. The calipers are all four-pot, opposed piston types, and are made of aluminum.
The rear brake calipers do not feature any handbrake functionality, however there is a mechanically actuated, fist-type caliper which is computer controlled and thus serves as a handbrake.
Design and Equipment
"The F1 elevates supercar design to a higher plane, making the fabulous Ferrari F40 appear crude and hopelessly impractical."
— Drive!
Seating
Unique among supercars, the McLaren F1 features a central driving position — the driver's seat is located in the middle, ahead of the fuel tank and ahead of the engine, with a passenger seat slightly behind and on each side. The doors on the vehicle move up and out when opened, and are thus of the butterfly type.
Audio
During its pre-production stage, McLaren commissioned Kenwood, the team's supplier of radio equipment, to create a lightweight car audio system for the car. Each car's audio system was especially designed to tailor to an individual's listening taste, however radio was omitted because Gordon Murray never listened to the radio.
Luggage
Tailored, proprietary luggage bags specially designed to fit the vehicle's carpeted storage compartments, including a tailored golf bag, were standard equipment. Airbags are not present in the car. Each customer was given a special edition TAG Heuer 6000 Chronometer wristwatch with its serial number scripted below the centre stem.
Hardware
Standard equipment on the stock McLaren F1 includes full cabin air conditioning, electric window lifts, remote central locking, four-lamp high performance headlight system, rear fog and reversing lights, courtesy lights in all compartments, map reading lights and a gold-plated Facom titanium tool kit and first aid kit (both stored in the car).
Motorsports and Competition
"No mere mortal could ever possibly understand how much raw energy the McLaren F1 GTR has at its disposal."
— Autocar
The Reluctant McLaren F1 GTR
Following its initial launch as a road car, motorsports teams convinced McLaren to build racing versions of the F1 to compete in international series. Three different versions of the race car, all designated F1 GTR, were developed from 1995 to 1997.
Many F1 GTRs, after the cars were no longer eligible in international racing series, were converted to street use. By adding mufflers, passenger seats, adjusting the suspension, and removing the air restrictors, the cars were able to be registered for road use.
Testing and Evaluation
"The outstanding supercar of its time.
And possibly of all time."
— Frank Page | Unique
News and Articles
Rare McLaren F1 GTR Longtail For Sale
Red with Lark racing livery February 23, 2018 — Chassis 27R was the first McLaren F1 GTR Longtail to have ever won a race — a truly remarkable accomplishment. Its career didn't end here though, as it also competed in the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1997 FIA GT Championship, and the 1999 British GT Championship. It is freshly restored, road … [ Read more ]
New McLaren F1 Service Center Opens
McLaren F1 Service Center Opens in North America December 19, 2017 — McLaren Automotive is pleased to announce the opening of its North American McLaren F1 Service Center in Pennsylvania, United States. The new facility will offer maintenance and service on McLaren F1s located in North America, and is one of only two authorized service facilities … [ Read more ]