McLaren’s unique ‘Triple Crown’ auction for future F1, IndyCar and WEC hypercar cars was held in Abu Dhabi in conjunction with RM Sotheby’s and generated a total of $19,927,500 for the racing team, led by CEO Zak Brown.
The No. 5 Arrow McLaren Dallara DW12-Chevrolet Pato O’Ward, which O’Ward will use to win his first Indianapolis 500 in May, was the most affordable of the three cars on sale at $848,750. Next up for claim was a 2027 McLaren United AS WEC hypercar built by Dallara, priced at $7,598,750, nearly 10 times more than the DW12. LMDh-based prototypes will compete across the WEC calendar, including the Le Mans 24 Hours, when the program launches in 2027.
The most expensive sale was for the 2026 McLaren F1 Team MCL40A-Mercedes, which sold for $11.48 million, with the winner getting to choose a car used by Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri.
According to RM Sotheby’s, the MCL40A comes with an important caveat: the car will be “equipped with a 2026 specification power unit from the Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrain and will be presented in seasonal colors.”
“Given the strict regulations designed to prevent rivals from accessing the relevant intellectual property (a factor reinforced by changes to the technical regulations for the 2026 season), McLaren Racing will be able to secure MCL4 at the end of the first quarter of 2028. The team plans to deliver the 0A to the winning bidder. In the meantime, the team will offer a non-running 2025 show car for display purposes. Once delivered to a private owner, the chassis may be used for designated demonstration runs and track days. It is carried out by a crew of McLaren Racing engineers and mechanics to meet the operational and technical requirements of McLaren Racing, MHPP, the FIA and the FIA’s common suppliers for the use of Formula 1 cars.
“Since the turbo-hybrid era began in F1 in 2014, very few working cars have made it into private ownership. Furthermore, there are very few situations in which drivers other than professional racing drivers are able to experience such cutting-edge machines so soon after their front-line careers. This further confirms why the sale of the as-yet-unraced MCL40A is so noteworthy.”
“To make the opportunity presented here even more special, the successful bidder will receive exclusive access to the McLaren Racing Team, as described herein and in the Bidder’s Terms and Conditions, and will also receive an offer from McLaren of a future McLaren F1 racing car. In addition, the winning bidder and five guests will be invited to meet Brown, Norris and Piastri and tour the team’s world-famous McLaren Technology Center headquarters in Woking. In addition to the 2026 F1 season, in addition to the car’s official launch, drivers will also be able to attend two races, including the historic Monaco Grand Prix, as well as premium hospitality experiences, exclusive access and the chance to watch selected track sessions from the team’s pit garage and McLaren Team Hub.
“The car may be driven in demonstration runs and track day events and will be operated with the full support of the dedicated staff of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrain Engineers on the power unit, McLaren Racing on the chassis, and in accordance with the requirements of the FIA and FIA common supplier.”
According to the auction house, the winning bidder for the Indy car from O’Ward will be “delivered race-ready, complete with running equipment, by the end of the first quarter of 2028” and “the 2026 car will also be offered an incredible array of benefits. Arrow McLaren will give the purchaser four VIP tickets to the Indy 500 and a package including hospitality treatment, a tour of the team garage and access to the pits and paddock.” To make their visit to the Brickyard truly unforgettable, four lucky people will be able to experience a two-seater ride at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Also included is a tour of the new 2026 Arrow McLaren facility, a four-person dinner with team principal and 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan and president Kevin Timjohn, and a signed overalls set to be worn by the 2025 runner-up. O’Ward took part in the May track session leading up to a great race. ”
For McLaren LMDh, the timetable for taking delivery of the car is even shorter, a definite highlight: “Following the end of the 2027 season, the successful bidder will take delivery of the season-liveried hypercar directly from the factory at the end of the first quarter of 2028. Shortly after, the LMDh Challenger will be delivered race-ready and supplied with all necessary running gear to proudly wear the chassis tag engraved with the name of its new owner.” Vehicles from any collection may also be used on circuits subject to FIA/ACO/IMSA LMDh regulations and mandatory requirements as well as prescribed operational and technical management standards. Owners are invited to participate in the McLaren Pure Driving event.
“Not only will buyers see themselves as owners of a WEC hypercar, they will also receive a book documenting their on-track history specific to their chosen chassis, including a signed race suit worn by one of the yet-to-be-announced McLaren United AS drivers.”
“In addition, the winning bidder will receive four VIP tickets and one hospitality experience at the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as two hospitality experiences at the Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500 in the same year.Then, their future car will carve their motorsport heritage as the calendar unfolds, while the 2027 FIA You will also receive two hospitality tickets to all rounds of the WEC campaign. Also featured as part of this offer is a private tour of the McLaren Technology Center in Woking, as well as the opportunity to purchase a future special edition McLaren car. ”
