About McLaren

The Man, the Machines, The History

A British institution, McLaren Automotives is a part of something bigger than all of us and what the future is going to be: applied technologies. From supercars to composites, to acoustic innovations, McLaren has the latest pulse in all things tech, pushing the boundaries with every iteration that is produced by the McLaren Technology Group.

Coming from a well-kept, clutterless, futuristic headquarters in the United Kingdom, McLaren Automotive has produced some of the best supercars on the market today and we’ll do an informative stroll down memory lane as to how one of racing’s best drivers created an automotive force that loves to be technologically-forward than the competition.

Racing Pedigree

The namesake brand was built under Bruce McLaren, who put together his first race car at the age of 13. Modifying a 1929 Austin Ulster, he restored and prepped it for race worthiness, winning his first motorsport competition at age 15. He then moved from New Zealand to England, where he formally started his racing career and honing his skills in Britannia.

In 1958, he ventured into Formula 1 racing and won the 1959 US Grand Prix at age 22. He conquered the world of Formula 1, winning the: 1960 Argentine GP, 1962 Monaco GP and 1964 New Zealand GP.

In-between racing, he founded Bruce McLaren Motor Racing in 1963, producing the M1A. The successor, the M1B, became the official car of Bruce McLaren Motor Racing as it was eligible to race in the Canadian Grand Prix.

Designed and hand-built in 1965 by Bruce himself and Robin Herd, it had riveted bodywork, was painted red, and was fitted with a 6L Chevrolet V8 with Hilborn injection, producing 340hp. It was second in the 1966 Can-Am series and while the result wasn’t what the team hoped for, it was the beginning of something magical.

The Trademark McLaren Orange

1965 was the full dedication of Bruce McLaren to his craft, leaving the Cooper team he built his F1 career on, to his own GP team with co-driver Chris Amon. In 1967, a successor of the M1B debuted in the Can-Am series names the M6A, featuring what will become McLaren’s signature color: Papaya Orange. 

A single shell monocoque chassis was developed and still powered by a Chevrolet V8. The bodywork was focused on aerodynamics to create maximum downforce, which helped put all of 527 horses planted on the ground. The M6A dominated the 1967 Can-Am series and helped build the reputation of McLaren as a force to be reckoned with. 

Making History In Formula 1

1966 debuted McLaren’s official foray into Formula 1 but it took two years to produce a masterpiece, creating the M7A. Powered by a 3L Ford Cosworth V8, the double four-vale produced 270 lb/ft of torque at 7,000rpm and produced 410 hp. This monocoque aluminum tub was beautifully crafted, drenched in McLaren Orange and produced stellar results with Bruce McLaren himself becoming the second man to win a GP race in a car bearing his own name. The championships the M7A conquered included 1968 Italian GP, 1968 Canadian GP and 1968 Belgian GP.

Changing Of The Guard And Conquering F1

Unfortunately, the thrill of speed caught up with Bruce as he passed away in 1970, crashing a prototype on a test lap in Goodwood Circuit. This shocked everyone in the company, as the patriarch has now passed away. 

The tragedy, however, did not stop his company’s successes, as the company continued and marched on to represent his good name and changed Indianapolis 500 forever with their Formula 1 design in the 70s. However, it was in the 80s where things definitely picked up for McLaren, as the company merged with Ron Dennis’ racing team, who later became an influential force for the company.

This merger brought great minds together and forged ahead with a mentality to win and experiment, producing the 1981 MP4/1. Still powered by a Ford Cosworth DFV V8, the body was now composed of carbon fiber, a world first in racing. It was the first carbon composite F1 in history and proved to have been both reliable and light. The team finished top 10 in most races, with a slow progression up the ranks, finally culminating with a win in the British Grand Prix.

The 1980s and 1990s proved to be McLaren’s expertise and finesse around chassis work, as their design philosophy evolved into the MP4/4, which created an epic rivalry to watch between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. The new MP4 featured a Honda turbocharged V6 that produced 900hp and built a racing dynasty that few can emulate today.

A Supercar Pioneer Was Born

1993 was a year to remember for McLaren and car enthusiasts everywhere. It was when the McLaren F1 was born. The first all carbon fiber road car ever created, it featured many technological firsts for any customer that was able to buy one. 

Powered by a BMW V12 engine, it produced 627 hp. It was the fastest production car and naturally aspirated road car ever built. The bodywork was focused on aerodynamics without compromising practicality. 

The central driving position provides maximum visibility for the driver, and the wide body provided room for two passengers, which was unheard of. Since it was mid-engined, was well-balanced and composed on the road while gold was used as a heat shield in the exhaust compartment, which was another first. It was naturally aspirated so reliability and predictability were more prevalent, which gave it a true driver’s car feel. It also had no driver’s aid, so you had to be attentive to drive this beast. It had low weight, three seats, plus room to put luggage on the side. What more could you ask for?!