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5 Minutes
McLaren to Auction Three Unveiled Race Cars Before They Ever Hit the Track
In an unprecedented move for motorsport and the collector market, McLaren — in partnership with RM Sotheby’s — will auction three race cars that have not yet been publicly unveiled or raced. The lot includes the 2026 McLaren Formula 1 Team car, a 2027 McLaren United AS entry for the World Endurance Championship, and a 2026 Arrow McLaren entry for the NTT IndyCar Series. The auction will take place around the final races of the 2025 season, culminating at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 7.
How the Sale Works: Real Race Cars, Long-Term Delivery
All three cars on offer are genuine race chassis that McLaren intends to campaign during their respective seasons. Bidders should understand this isn’t a sale of replicas or show-only cars. However, the purchaser will not take immediate physical delivery. Each winning bidder will lease a 2025 show car while the vehicles continue to race; the F1 car buyer, for example, will not receive the actual raced chassis until 2028. Buyers will also receive exclusive access perks, including a visit to the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking and behind-the-scenes experiences with McLaren Racing.
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Driver Allocation and Chassis Assignment
One notable detail: the winner of the F1 car auction will not know in advance which driver’s chassis they will receive. The car could be the chassis used by Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri during the 2026 season, adding an element of unpredictability for collectors seeking a specific driver’s machine.
Vehicle Specifications and Technical Expectations
McLaren hasn’t released detailed technical specifications for the 2026 F1 car, the 2027 WEC entry, or the 2026 IndyCar being offered. Broadly, buyers can expect each car to reflect its category’s cutting-edge engineering:
- 2026 F1 car — a lightweight, aerodynamically optimized single-seater engineered to the then-current FIA Formula 1 regulations, featuring advanced composite monocoque construction, bespoke suspension geometry, and the latest hybrid powertrain developments required by the sport.
- 2027 WEC competitor — built for endurance, focusing on reliability, efficiency and aerodynamics tuned for Le Mans and WEC circuits, with race-spec fuel systems, reinforced cooling, and driver-change ergonomics.
- 2026 IndyCar — a high-downforce oval and road-course-capable single-seater designed to IndyCar specification, optimized for top-speed stability and short-turn responsiveness.
Specific outputs (horsepower, torque, weight) will follow the regulatory frameworks of each series and McLaren’s engineering choices at the time of manufacture.
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Design and Performance Characteristics
Design cues will be unmistakably McLaren: aggressive aerodynamic profiles, exposed carbon-fiber works, and track-focused cockpit ergonomics. Performance-wise, buyers can expect race-trim setups with telemetry-ready electronics, quick-change serviceability, and components specified for high-intensity track use. The WEC car will prioritize endurance durability, while the IndyCar will emphasize top-speed stability and adaptability between oval and road configurations.
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Market Positioning and Collector Appeal
This auction positions McLaren at the intersection of motorsport heritage and luxury collectability. Selling factory-raced chassis before they’ve made their competitive debut creates extreme scarcity and a unique provenance story: the buyer will own a car that was campaigned by a works team from its first race. That provenance — especially if a chassis secures notable race results — could make these cars highly desirable to collectors, museums, and investors.
Comparisons and Rarity
No direct precedent exists for auctioning unseen, actively campaigned factory race cars across three major series simultaneously. Compared to traditional post-season sales of retired race cars, this model imposes delayed delivery but grants exclusive access and experiences. As a result, pricing is difficult to predict; RM Sotheby’s expertise in motorsport auctions will guide the market valuation.
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Buying Process, Timeline and Perks
Winners will gain a leased show car for immediate display, invitations to McLaren facilities and events, and behind-the-scenes access during the racing campaigns. The actual chassis handover will be timed after the seasons conclude — the F1 buyer’s delivery is scheduled for 2028 — so prospective purchasers should factor in a multi-year wait when bidding.
Conclusion: A Bold Move by McLaren
By offering three unlaunched race cars for sale, McLaren is rewriting the rules for motorsport collectibles. For collectors, it’s a rare chance to secure a piece of living racing history; for McLaren, it’s a creative strategy to engage fans, deepen brand prestige, and underline its Triple Crown ambitions across Formula 1, IndyCar and WEC.
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