Next month, one of the world’s most expensive McLaren F1s will go up for auction. The owner of this car is Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, and its value likely exceeds $35 million. This will almost certainly make it the most expensive F1 ever sold at public auction. That’s a high bar, given how much these cars already cost, but this example has enough history to surpass it.
The story of the unique McLaren F1 GTR
Known as “The Pop Art F1,” this chassis 10R is the first example built in GTR specification for the 1996 racing season. It appeared a year after another F1 GTR, chassis 01R, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and aimed to continue that success in competition.
After testing and several promotional campaigns, this F1 GTR, painted in a luxurious shade of “Blood Red,” took part in the pre-qualifying for Le Mans driven by David Brabham. That year, it never started the race at Le Mans; instead, the McLaren team used the related chassis 11R.
McLaren initially kept the car for itself, but in 1999 it was sold to Nick Mason of Pink Floyd for an undisclosed sum. The company converted it for road use, and later Lanzante performed additional work.
The troubled fate of the supercar
Like many other F1s, this example also endured several difficult days. In 2009, a journalist crashed it into a wheat field, leading to a full restoration and repair by Lanzante. Subsequently, it participated in several motorsport events across Europe, including a 750-kilometer (466-mile) road rally through Italy and a Goodwood members’ meeting in 2017. Unfortunately, when Mason himself was behind the wheel, he lost control and crashed into a tire wall.
Again, Lanzante was called in to repair the car, restoring it to its former glory. Mason remains the only private owner of the car since its creation, and it has undergone regular maintenance, ensuring its impeccable condition.
Two crashes, one wheat field — and it’s still worth over $35 million. It turns out the F1 GTR forgives almost everything. Take a look at the listing at RM Sotheby’s, then quietly weep over your bank account.
This McLaren F1 GTR is not just a car but a true motorsport artifact, combining racing heritage, unique design, and a history of ownership by a famous personality. Its value, despite past damage, underscores how rare and desirable such models are. The auction promises to be a landmark event for collectors, as such lots appear extremely rarely, and their price often breaks records, demonstrating the unwavering demand for the most exclusive supercars in the world.