The first series-production High-Performance Hybrid (HPH) supercar from McLaren Automotive has entered the final stages of its development and test programs, which includes running on public roads. Due to launch in the first half of 2021, the all-new supercar will open a new era of electrification for McLaren following the end of production of its Sports Series range.
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New McLaren Senna ‘RIDE-ON’ is 2020’S Electrified Ultimate Toy
McLaren Automotive is pleased to announce a new, track-focused electrified model for the junior racing driver - the McLaren Senna ‘Ride-On’. Hot on the heels of the McLaren 720S ‘Ride-On’ launched last year, the new McLaren Senna ‘Ride-On’ is the ultimate accessory for younger performance enthusiasts. It is modeled on McLaren’s most extreme track car, the unparalleled abilities of which are reflected in it bearing the name of three-time McLaren Formula 1 World Champion, Ayrton Senna.
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L-R - Mike Flewitt - McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Jones - Gulf Oil International Ltd CEO, Zak Brown - McLaren Racing CEO, Lando Norris, McLaren Racing driver
GULF PARTNERS WITH McLAREN TO ANNOUNCE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP
McLaren and Gulf Oil International Ltd have today announced a multi-year strategic partnership that will see Gulf, one of the most iconic brands in the world, partner with world-famous luxury supercar company McLaren Automotive and the McLaren Racing team.
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McLaren teams up with BBC Blue Peter to launch ‘Supercar of the Future’ competition for children
McLAREN TEAMS UP WITH BBC BLUE PETER TO LAUNCH ‘SUPERCAR OF THE FUTURE’ COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN
One lucky winner will get their design produced as a clay model by McLaren’s top design team
Design Director Rob Melville and McLaren materials scientist Ella Podmore star in the competition launch film
The competition created to demonstrate use of science, engineering and design skills in an exciting real-world environment and encourage positive career conversations as part of McLaren’s long-standing support for STEM subjects
Supercar maker McLaren Automotive has teamed up with the BBC Blue Peter children’s program to launch a unique competition asking young viewers to design their ‘Supercar of the Future’.
The winner will have the opportunity to meet with McLaren’s leading designers and engineers* and see their winning design brought to life as a 3D scale model to be unveiled on Blue Peter. They will also win an incredible ride in a McLaren supercar with celebrity driver The Stig.
The prize includes a VIP tour of the world-famous McLaren Technology Centre and McLaren Production Centre to see how real supercars are designed and made. The winner will also be awarded the coveted orange Blue Peter competition badge.
In this Thursday’s Blue Peter (5.30 pm BST, Thursday 21 May, CBBC and BBC iPlayer, UK only), presenter Richie Driss goes behind the scenes at McLaren to find out how you get started in supercar design.
Richie meets** Rob Melville, McLaren Automotive’s Design Director, who explains why a supercar should look fantastic, have sensational performance and push the boundaries of what already exists.
Also in the film is Ella Podmore, McLaren Automotive’s materials engineer, who talks about the importance of choosing the right materials to help make a car lighter and faster.
Lighter vehicles are able to deliver better performance and be more energy efficient which is why entrants to the competition are asked to consider how their car is powered, its impact on the environment, and to describe what materials it is made from. They are also asked to choose one outstanding feature of their design and explain why they are proud of it.
Look out for Ella on McLaren Automotive’s social media channels talking about the competition and her work.
“Working with CBBC’s Blue Peter on this competition to get kids to design their supercar of the future is an exciting and fun way to get them to apply all of their design, science, and technical creativity.
“It’s also a great way to showcase how they can use those skills in the real world, having to follow the same thought processes and tackle the same challenges as our designers and engineers like Rob and Ella do every day at McLaren. I’m looking forward to seeing what the Blue Peter audience comes up with and what amazing idea wins our top prize.”Mandeep Dhatt, Executive Director of HR, McLaren Automotive
“This is such an exciting Blue Peter competition with an amazing prize to see behind closed doors at McLaren.
McLaren teams up with BBC Blue Peter to launch ‘Supercar of the Future’ competition for children
“The judges are going to be looking for designs that are full of imagination, with a great story and we want to see that they have given some thought to the science behind the design too. I can’t wait to see what the amazing, creative Blue Peter kids come up with!”Ellen Evans, Editor, Blue Peter
More information on the competition and full terms and conditions can be found on the Blue Peter website. The competition closes on Wednesday June 10.
* Once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted by the UK government.
** Filmed before Covid-19 lockdown measures were introduced.
The competition is open to children living in the UK between the ages of 6 and 15 years old.
#DRIVEATHOME – McLAREN AND THE FORZA RACING FRANCHISE COME TOGETHER TO KEEP DRIVING FANS ON THE ROAD
McLaren and Forza want fans to share their #DriveatHome stories. Tell us your adventures on social and we will share our favorites every Sunday
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THE INSIDE STORY ON THE McLAREN GT’S UNIQUE AND HIGH-TECH INTERIOR MATERIALS
Innovation in supercar interiors is explored in a new McLaren Tech Club film that looks at the materials selected for the McLaren GT, a car that sees the traditional Grand Touring philosophy delivered in a new and uniquely McLaren way. Blending greater comfort, space, and usability with the levels of driver engagement, dynamic ability and performance for which McLaren is renowned, the GT has its own unique identity – inside and out.
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McLaren Speedtail has the highest specific battery power of any production road car.
Following the announcement that the Speedtail – the fastest McLaren ever – had completed high-speed validation tests in the United States and reached its maximum speed of 403km/h (250mph) more than 30 times, McLaren engineers have been asked one question more than any other: ‘How does Speedtail go that fast?’
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McLaren Speedtail and GT’s innovative Bowers & Wilkins audio systems win design awards
McLaren Automotive and Bowers & Wilkins’ world-renowned audio system designs have been recognized at this year’s iF DESIGN AWARD. The McLaren Speedtail and the McLaren GT audio installations both won in the Product discipline of the Car Audio category.
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McLaren Extends Relationship with Intelligent Money British GT Championship for a 5th Season
A record 12 entries running with McLaren Customer Racing, doubling the number on the grid from 2019
720S GT3 and 570S GT4 to contest Silver and ProAm classes across both GT3 and GT4 championships
McLaren 720S returns as official Safety Car
McLaren Automotive will once again be represented on the highly-competitive Intelligent Money British GT grid, as it is confirmed that a total of 12 McLaren entries will contest the GT3 and GT4 championships during the 2020 season. This will be the strongest-ever showing for the British brand with eight examples of the 570S GT4 battling for GT4 honors, while an expanded grid of GT3 cars will see teams battling for both ProAm honors and, for the first time, the Silver class championship. The grid will also be led by McLaren for the fifth successive season as the 720S Safety Car returns to action.
The 720S Safety Car will manage and co-ordinate all on-track activities at each of the nine races, leading a record 34-car grid, with one-third made up of McLaren Customer Racing teams. This announcement further strengthens the relationship between McLaren Automotive and the SRO-run series which now enters a fifth year.
720S GT3 to challenge for ProAm and Silver titles
In the GT3 championship, Balfe Motorsport returns with the 720S GT3 for a second season and an unchanged ProAm line-up from 2019 of Shaun Balfe and McLaren Factory Driver Rob Bell. The pair are looking to pick up where they left off last season, having scored a race victory at the season finale at Donington Park to secure third in the championship.
Two new Customer Racing teams will also take to the British GT grid fielding the 720S GT3 for the first time in 2020. Championship regulars, and reigning GT3 Silver class champions, Optimum Motorsport confirmed a switch to McLaren over the winter and the Wakefield-based team will run with Australian driver pairing Nick Foster and Martin Berry, who are both new to the series. Completing the McLaren Customer Racing GT3 runners and riders is the newly-established 2 Seas Motorsport with a two-car entry both battling for Silver class honors. Angus Fender will share with McLaren GT4-race winner Dean MacDonald for one entry, while Championship debutant Isa Al-Khalifa has been confirmed in the second car. His driving partner is expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
Biggest ever McLaren presence on the GT4 grid
The GT4 class within the Intelligent Money British GT championship continues to grow in stature, and the grid gains strength each year with 2020 being no different. This season sees no less than eight examples of the 570S GT4 confirmed for the full season calendar battling for outright GT4 championship honors, with entries in the Silver and ProAm classes.
Leading the GT4 charge will be Tolman Motorsport as the team returns for the season with a two-car entry wearing striking new liveries. The 2019 GT4 championship runners-up will once again line up with the newly selected McLaren Automotive Driver Development Programme (DDP) drivers. Now entering its third season, the DDP continues to nurture young motorsport talent, and this year has expanded the reach of the program beyond the UK with international drivers representing Australia, North America, and Switzerland. It has now been confirmed that Michael Benyahia and Alain Valente will be paired up in the number #4 570S GT4, while Harry Hayek will race alongside Katie Milner in the number #5.
After confirming a move to join McLaren Customer Racing earlier this year which will see Optimum Motorsport run the 720S GT3 in both the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and Intelligent Money British GT Championship, the team will also contest the domestic championship’s GT4 class with Pure McLaren GT Series graduates Brendan Iribe and Nick Moss partnering with professionals Ollie Millroy and James Pickford in two ProAm entries. The four drivers have previously raced together, clinching victory at the Gulf 12 Hours at the close of the 2019 season.
In parallel to a two-car entry in the GT4 European Series, HHC Motorsport returns to the British GT Championship running with a pair of 570S GT4s for a second season. After winning the opening round of 2019, the team will be looking to make another immediate impact on the championship with a double Silver class entry. Gus Bowers and Chris Wesemael both make a step up to GT4 competition and debut in the series. The driver line-up for the second car will be confirmed in due course.
Completing the line-up of McLaren Customer Racing GT4 entries is Balfe Motorsport, bringing the total number of entries for the McLaren brand on the grid to a record 12. McLaren Professional Driver Michael O’Brien partners with Graham Johnson for a second season, while the first racing commitment since his appointed as Factory Driver will see Euan Hankey racing alongside double-Pure McLaren GT Series champion Mia Flewitt who makes a return to the British GT championship for her first full season.
“British GT’s official Safety Car partnership with McLaren Automotive enters its fifth season this year, extending one of the championship’s longest-running associations. We’re delighted to have the 720S - likely to be the world’s most capable Safety Car - leading our supercar pack to the start of every round once again, while the manufacturer’s GT3 and GT4 models make up one-third of this year’s full-season entry. We’re very proud that such an iconic British brand continues to have a high-profile presence in one of the UK’s biggest motorsport series.”Lauren Granville, Intelligent Money British GT Championship Manager
Intelligent Money British GT Championship 2020 – confirmed entries for McLaren Customer Racing teams:
720S GT3 : GT3 championship – ProAm
Balfe Motorsport:
#22 – Shaun Balfe (GBR), Rob Bell (GBR)
Optimum Motorsport:
#68 – Martin Berry (AUS), Nick Foster (AUS)
720S GT3 : GT3 championship – Silver
2 Seas:
#09 – Isa Al-Khalifa (BAH), TBC
#10 – Angus Fender (GBR), Dean MacDonald (GBR)
570S GT4 : GT4 championship – ProAm
Balfe Motorsport:
#20 – Graham Johnson (GBR), Michael O’Brien (GBR)
#21 – Mia Flewitt (SWE), Euan Hankey (GBR)
Optimum Motorsport:
#27 – Nick Moss (GBR), James Pickford (GBR)
#88 – Brendan Iribe (USA), Ollie Millroy (GBR)
570S GT4 : GT4 championship – Silver
Tolman Motorsport:
#4 – Michael Benyahia (USA), Alain Valente (SUI)
#5 – Harry Hayek (AUS), Katie Milner (GBR)
HHC Motorsport:
#57 – Gus Bowers (GBR), Chris Wesemael (GBR)
#58 – TBC, TBC
Verdant Theme GT By MSO Showcases Luxury Innovations and Bespoke Personalisation
Unique satin tri-tone paint artistry gives McLaren’s practical supercar a new face of modern luxury
Bespoke craftsmanship and materials include first use of cashmere in a supercar
Verdant Theme GT by MSO a showcase of personalized luxury innovations from McLaren Special Operations that are available across the McLaren range
A masterclass of innovative color and materials takes McLaren’s GT to a luxuriant new level of bespoke personalization in the McLaren Verdant Theme GT by MSO (McLaren Special Operations). Building on the GT’s multi-faceted talents and continent-crossing capabilities by displaying a rich new layer of craftsmanship from MSO, the unique car showcases artistry and techniques that are available across the entire McLaren Automotive range.
The Verdant Theme GT by MSO revels in a feeling for the verdant landscapes and fresh horizons that the GT has been designed to explore. Colors and materials employed with the highest level of technical precision reflect hues and textures from the natural world – for example, key touch points in the cabin are trimmed in cashmere, the first time this softest and most luxurious of wools has been used by McLaren and the first time it has become available in a supercar.
One of distinctive features of the car immediately apparent is a stunning new take on MSO’s innovative satin tri-tone paint finish. Seamlessly graduated from light to dark, the car’s body blends three shades of satin-finish green – from nose to tail, Horsell Green, Arbor and Steppe Green – all created especially for this car. Achieving the perfect progression of shades required 430 hours of painstaking work in what is among the most complex paint processes yet undertaken by MSO.
The lushness of the Verdant Theme GT by MSO is completed with hand-painted pinstripe accents in Napier Green on the body and the front splitter. The MSO Bespoke brake calipers are painted Napier Green while the MSO Black Pack guarantees the most dramatic of contrasts with gloss black finish for the wheels, the upper window surround and the exhaust finisher.
Dark Green, Jet Black and Laurel Green leather with Laurel Green micro-piping contrasts in the cabin with charcoal grey cashmere. Indulgently soft and luxurious, it adorns the center tunnel, the door inserts, the lower section of dashboard, the sun visors, the head restraints and the back upper section of the seats. MSO has been working on an automotive application for cashmere for 18 months, but limited availability means that at this stage it must remain among the most exclusive of all MSO options.
The Verdant Theme GT by MSO’s cabin – offering the space, comfort and usability expected of a GT – is further enhanced with subtle MSO signature details such as dedication plaque, embroidered logos and an accelerator pedal laser-etched with the MSO logo.
No enhancements were deemed necessary to the GT’s Proactive Damping Control suspension, nor its 612 bhp 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8, both already optimized to provide an outstanding Grand Touring combination of authentic McLaren supercar performance – 0-60mph in just 3.1 seconds – with touring comfort and refinement that sets new McLaren standards.
Ansar Ali, Managing Director, McLaren Special Operations
“The McLaren Verdant Theme GT by MSO is the perfect showcase for us in the way it takes modern-luxury to the next level by incorporating so much innovation. The Grand Tourer of McLaren’s range provides a sophisticated and elegant canvas for our artistry, but also I hope the spark that will inspire every McLaren owner as they seek ever more ways to personalize their car, whether it is GT, sports convertible, track supercar, or the ultimate uncompromised road car such as our new McLaren Elva.”
Ansar Ali, Managing Director, McLaren Special Operations
Sleek, elegant and muscular, the superlight McLaren GT is a compelling blend of beautiful design, high-quality innovative materials, true supercar performance and McLaren driving dynamics and engagement. Designed for the journey, this exceptionally refined vehicle has the capacity to carry 20.1 cubic feet of luggage including carry golf bags and skis.
Technology and modern craftsmanship share equal prominence in the McLaren GT, with the finest high-quality materials complemented by features such as the most sophisticated McLaren infotainment system to date; hidden-until-lit ambient lighting and the option of an electrochromic glazed roof.
Further information about McLaren Special Operations and the personalization opportunities it offers is available at https://cars.mclaren.com/en/mso.
McLaren 570S GT4 race car refreshed for 2020 after most successful season
Standard specification of the 570S GT4 racer enhanced for 2020, priced from £180,000 ex-works
Continued development program sees the most successful GT model from McLaren updated to enhance reliability, while reducing servicing and maintenance costs
570S GT4 race car enters the 2020 season for a fourth competitive season with Customer Racing teams
Newly-developed optional endurance braking kit offers superior braking consistency over longer-duration running
The McLaren 570S GT4 race car completed the most successful season since launch during 2019, ending the year on a high taking a 1-2 finish at the Gulf 12 Hour at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi with four graduates of the Pure McLaren GT Series and Customer Racing team Balfe Motorsport. With three series titles and victories scored in each of the championships contested during the season, the development program has continued to progress. From here, McLaren Customer Racing has refreshed the 570S GT4 for the 2020 season which includes a new optional brake kit with a greater focus on longer endurance events.
The development of the new endurance braking kit concluded with a final test, being installed on both 570S GT4 entries competing in the Gulf 12 Hour event. The new option is homologated for racing from 1st March 2020 and is available as a factory-fit option or can be ordered as a retro-fitted item. The system includes bespoke suspension uprights and a new 6-piston front caliper design combined with uprated brake discs and pads, offering superior braking consistency and reduced degradation.
The 570S GT4 was launched competitively for Customer Racing teams for the 2017 season, enjoying the strongest year to date in 2019 with race wins and podium finishes on each continent it competed. With 140 podium finishes achieved by Customer Racing teams during the season and championship success in North America, the UK and Scandinavia, the 570S GT4 has become the most successful GT model to wear a McLaren badge. At its heart is the familiar lightweight carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis – a first in the GT4 marketplace – and provides a rigid core and optimized occupant safety levels. Power is still generated by the award-winning 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 M838TE powerplant, shared with the 570S Coupe in the McLaren Sports Series, and is delivered via the seven-speed seamless-shift transmission.
Pricing for the 570S GT4 is from £180,000, effective 1st January 2020. This price includes the previously optional removable quick-release steering wheel. The Sprint Power Upgrade increases engine power to 540PS and is available for £600 to fully exploit the capabilities of the 570S GT4 outside of homologated racing restrictions.
The 570S GT4 is available from the 11 official McLaren motorsport retailers across the globe:
Asia Pacific: McLaren Auckland, McLaren Melbourne
Europe: McLaren Glasgow, McLaren Frankfurt, McLaren Zurich
North America: McLaren Beverly Hills, McLaren Houston, McLaren Newport Beach, McLaren Philadelphia, McLaren San Francisco, McLaren Toronto
Omologato celebrates 2020 with Arrow McLaren SP partnership
As timepieces partners of Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports IndyCar for a number of years, Omologato are extremely pleased to confirm an exciting name change to the team. A new partnership with McLaren for 2020 means the team will now be known as Arrow McLaren SP.
McLaren come on board as co-sponsors of the team while adding their technical expertise and additional commercial and marketing support to the current infrastructure.
"We are so grateful for Arrow’s continued support, along with Omologato and all of our other partners, in our journey to be at the top of the NTT IndyCar Series” said Sam Schmidt team owner “We look forward to having them by our side for those upcoming wins and title championships”
“Chevrolet and McLaren have a storied history of racing together, going back to the mid-1960s. We have always had tremendous respect for Gil de Ferran, as well as for Sam Schmidt, Ric Peterson and Mike Long. We are looking forward to partnering with the entire Arrow McLaren Racing SP team as we prepare for the 2020 IndyCar season.” said Shami Kalra Founder of Omologato.
Omologato is a uniquely motorsport brand and to be involved with IndyCar was a natural step for us a few years ago. We’re delighted to partner with Arrow McLaren SP and offer the new Premiére Edition AMSP automatic watch.
Just 500 of these watches will be made, they'll be individually numbered, using automatic movements, a bespoke brushed steel ‘Turtle’ case and sapphire glass to complement the dial which has the Arrow McLaren SP logo. The casebacks are also embossed with this logo. Available from omologatowatches.com/amsp
Photo credit: McLaren
Jenson Team Rocket RJN confirms 2020 GT World Challenge Europe entry with McLaren 720S GT3
British team switches to the McLaren 720S GT3 for the 2020 season
Second 720S GT3 confirmed for the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS
Full Endurance Cup entry will see the 720S GT3 compete at the 24 Hours of Spa for the first time
The McLaren 720S GT3 will join the grid with Jenson Team Rocket RJN after the British team confirmed entry into the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS for the 2020 season. The team, established by 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, will take on the full five-date Endurance Cup calendar including one round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the Total 24 Hours of Spa. The driver line-up for the season will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
The 2019 season saw Jenson Team Rocket RJN debut in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS – formerly the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup – debuting at the season-opener in Monza and taking a season-best 4th-place finish in the Silver Cup at the Total 24 Hours of Spa.
This announcement sees Jenson Team Rocket RJN as the latest team to join McLaren Customer Racing, switching to the 720S GT3. The latest GT3 racecar from McLaren enters its second competitive season in 2020, contesting the GT World Challenge Europe for the first time.
“It is great to have Jenson Team Rocket RJN join the Customer Racing family for 2020. The GT World Challenge Europe offers probably the biggest challenge in GT3 racing and the 720S GT3 has kicked off the year with a strong result on its Bathurst 12 Hour debut last weekend, taking an outright podium and class victory. We now have a strong foundation to build on, and this latest programme with Jenson Team Rocket RJN is extremely exciting for the new season ahead.”Ian Morgan, Director of Motorsport, McLaren Automotive
“It is exciting to confirm that Jenson Team Rocket RJN will be campaigning the 720S GT3 and racing with McLaren this season. The GT World Challenge Europe grid gets stronger and stronger every year, and the racing is amongst the best in the world. We go into the season full of confidence with a team boasting huge experience and a car which has already proven itself as a race winner.”Jenson Button, 2009 Formula 1 world champion.
The first round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup takes place in Monza, Italy, over the weekend 17-19 April.
SENNA GTR TO JOIN FOUR ICONIC McLAREN F1 CARS AND RARE M6GT AT RETROMOBILE IN PARIS
Photo credit: McLaren
New McLaren Senna GTR to star at Retromobile on Richard Mille stand
25th anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours victory – a stunning display of Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR and class-winning Longtail to headline McLaren F1 quartet
Cesare Baldaccini ‘art car’ and pristine F1 road car also set to shine at Paris show
McLaren display on Richard Mille stand completed by M6GT