by Record Price for a McLaren F1
One of only 64 road-going McLaren F1s ever built was just sold at auction in Abu Dhabi for an incredible $25,317,500, setting a new record. This deal in a market that increasingly values rarity and history reaffirms the McLaren F1’s status as perhaps the most coveted supercar of the last three decades.
Key Facts About the Car
The History of Chassis #14
This is the car with chassis number 14, which was originally received by the Sultan of Brunei. It left the factory painted in Titanium Yellow, with a black leather and Alcantara interior.
Unlike many other rare cars that were left to gather dust in the Sultan’s vast collection, this particular F1 avoided long-term storage.
Instead, it was exported to the UK, where it received a more active “second life.” The car later ended up in the private collection of a former director of McLaren Cars, then crossed the Atlantic, spending time in New York and California, before changing hands again in 2007. It was under this owner that it was returned to McLaren’s main factory for a complete restoration.
Metamorphosis by McLaren
The yellow body color was changed to Ibis White, and the rare High Downforce Kit was installed, which includes a fixed rear wing and elements inspired by the F1 GTR and F1 LM race versions. The interior was also updated to LM specification, with a new driver’s seat and more exposed carbon fiber.
The conversion reportedly cost over $500,000 and undoubtedly played a significant role in achieving the record sale price.
Adding another interesting element to the car’s already significant provenance is an autograph from legendary driver Michael Schumacher on one of the door sills, which he signed when the car still belonged to the Sultan.
Other Successful McLaren Sales
The recent RM Sotheby’s auction in Abu Dhabi also yielded other notable results. The McLaren Formula 1 team sold its future 2026 car, known as the MCL40A, for $11.48 million. The winning bidder will receive the car at the end of the first quarter of 2028. The McLaren team also sold a future example of its 2027 WEC hypercar, which will be delivered after it completes its 2027 racing season. It went for $7.59 million.
The price of over $25 million for the F1 not only reflects its unique history and condition but also serves as a clear indicator of the dynamics of the collector car market. The sale of future, yet-to-be-built race cars for tens of millions before they even hit the track is an entirely new phenomenon, demonstrating how the principles of investing in automotive heritage are changing. It is no longer just about buying a historical artifact, but about subscribing to a future legend, making such deals even more significant for the entire automotive world.
