McLaren puts five iconic F1 cars up for sale through THJ

McLaren is parting with five prized pieces of its Formula 1 history, including a car associated with Ayrton Senna’s final championship triumph, as the Woking outfit entrusts specialist dealer Tom Hartley Jnr with finding new homes for the machines.

The collection spans more than three decades of Grand Prix racing, from the glory days of Senna to the modern era of Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Each car carries its own story, making the sale a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire race-used machinery directly from one of F1’s most successful constructors.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown says the decision reflects a desire to see the cars enjoyed rather than left gathering dust in storage.

From Senna’s title-winning era to modern McLaren

Among the five immaculate machines are two 1991 McLaren MP4/6A chassis, numbered 4 and 7. Both were tested by Senna during the season in which the Brazilian secured his third and final world championship, although team-mate Gerhard Berger raced the two machines.

The MP4/6 remains an enduring symbol of McLaren’s dominance at the beginning of the 1990s, when Senna’s fierce rivalry with Alain Prost had helped define an era of Formula 1.

The collection also features the 2012 MP4/27A, chassis No. 1, from a season in which Hamilton and Jenson Button combined to deliver seven Grand Prix victories.

More recent history is represented by the 2021 MCL35M, the Mercedes-powered machine that brought McLaren back to the top step of the podium at Monza, where Ricciardo led Norris home for a memorable one-two finish.

Completing the quintet is the MCL60, originally designated the MCL37, from 2023. Although it never won a race, the car secured nine podium finishes with Norris and Piastri and even received a turn in the hands of Hollywood star Brad Pitt during preparations for his F1 film.

McLaren’s rationale behind the prestigious sale

“We have decided to part with these iconic McLaren Formula 1 cars because we feel that having them simply sitting in storage is a disservice to what they represent,” Bronw explained.

“These cars were built to be driven and raced, and we want to see them being used and enjoyed. We believe that is the best way to keep our history alive and our heritage business active.

“Tom Hartley Jnr is the person we have entrusted to handle the sale. Few people understand the Formula One car market as well as Tom does, and nobody is more active within it today.

“We were also very impressed by the way he handled the sale of the Ecclestone Grand Prix Collection, and McLaren has worked with him successfully for many years.”

Hartley takes charge of a collector’s dream

Given his outstanding credential, Tom Hartley Jnr was a natural choice for McLaren as it looks to place its historic machinery in new hands.

And the renowned dealer welcomed the opportunity to represent the five cars, emphasising the significance of their provenance.

“We are incredibly proud to announce that McLaren Racing have entrusted us with the sale of five very special, race-driven Formula One cars, directly from their own collection,” he said.

“An exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a piece of Grand Prix history directly from the manufacturer and team that built and raced these cars.

“Having enjoyed a close relationship with McLaren for many years, I’m personally delighted to be bringing these incredible cars to market and look forward to finding them great new homes.”

• Read also: Bearman moved to tears after driving Senna’s iconic Lotus

For collectors, the appeal extends beyond carbon fibre, engineering and racing pedigree. These are machines that chart McLaren’s evolution across generations – and one of them carries a direct connection to Senna’s championship legacy.

McLaren may be relinquishing ownership, but Brown hopes the cars will continue doing what they were built for: being driven, admired and keeping the team’s history alive.

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