British constructor McLaren has decided to sell a portion of its legendary racing car collection. Five authentic Formula 1 racing cars, built between 1991 and 2023, have been put up for auction — including cars driven to world championship victories and a vehicle once tested by a Hollywood actor. According to preliminary expert estimates, the value of each lot will range from £5 million to £10 million, exceeding $6.7–13 million.
The Team's Decision: Respect for History
According to McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, keeping such cars in warehouses shows disrespect for their history. In his view, these racing cars were built to be driven and to delight collectors, rather than gather dust in a hangar. The team's engineers will directly prepare the cars for transfer to new owners, guaranteeing the preservation of the machinery's factory condition and the authenticity of every component.
Legendary Lots: From Senna to Hamilton
The collection's lineup is truly elite. Among the lots are two 1991 MP4/6A racing cars powered by Honda V12 engines, which were once tested by three-time world champion Ayrton Senna. The auction also features cars driven by Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris. For collectors, this is a chance to acquire not just a rare item, but a car associated with the names that defined the history of modern Formula 1.
Brad Pitt's Racing Car
Special attention is drawn to the 2023 racing car tested by actor Brad Pitt during private tests in Texas while preparing for a Formula 1 film shoot. According to reports, the Hollywood star accelerated the car up to 317 km/h, making this lot one of the most talked-about on the market. The combination of racing history and cinematic context turns the vehicle into a unique object for collectors from two different worlds.
Market and Prices: A Rare Event
The sale of the exclusive collection is being handled by dealer Tom Hartley Jr. The organizers emphasize that selling authentic racing cars directly from the manufacturing team is an extremely rare event in the sports memorabilia market. There is no rush in the transactions: their main goal, according to them, is to find worthy owners for the legendary cars, rather than simply selling them at the highest possible price. Thus, McLaren is closing one of the most eventful periods in its history, turning archival racing cars into objects that will continue to live in private collections.
