McLaren Sells 2026 F1 Car for $11.5 Million Before It's Built
McLaren has pre-sold its 2026 Formula 1 car for $11.5 million at auction, a first in the sport. The buyer won't receive the physical MCL40A until 2028, and its use will be heavily restricted to protect technical secrets, highlighting the extreme value of intellectual property ahead of F1's next regulatory era.
A Formula 1 car that exists only on paper has been sold at auction for nearly $11.5 million. The McLaren MCL40A, the team's planned 2026 challenger, was pre-sold at an RM Sotheby's event in Abu Dhabi, marking a first-of-its-kind transaction where a future F1 car was auctioned before its competitive debut.
Why it matters:
This unprecedented sale highlights the immense commercial value and secrecy surrounding F1's next major technical era. The 2026 regulations will introduce lighter cars, active aerodynamics, and new hybrid power units, making intellectual property more sensitive than ever. McLaren's ability to command such a price for a concept underscores the premium placed on exclusivity and access in modern F1, while also setting a new benchmark for team revenue streams beyond the track.
The details:
The sale comes with significant conditions that reflect the competitive nature of the sport.
- The physical car will not be delivered until 2028, after its competitive lifecycle has ended, to prevent any design secrets from reaching rivals.
- Any on-track running will be strictly governed by FIA Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) rules, using McLaren's limited testing allocation and requiring supervision from the team, engine supplier Mercedes, and the FIA.
- The buyer's package includes interim perks like a leased 2025 show car for display, VIP access to the MCL40A launch, premium hospitality at two Grands Prix, and a tour of the McLaren Technology Centre with drivers and CEO Zak Brown.
- In a unique twist, the purchaser will eventually choose whether to receive a chassis raced by Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri.
The big picture:
The auction was part of a lucrative McLaren-themed weekend for RM Sotheby's, demonstrating the brand's powerful market appeal. Alongside the $11.5 million F1 car, a 2027 McLaren United AS Hypercar sold for $7.6 million, a 2026 Arrow McLaren IndyCar fetched $848,750, and a road-going McLaren F1 achieved a record $25.3 million. This event signals how top F1 teams are increasingly leveraging their heritage and future assets to engage ultra-high-net-worth collectors, creating a new niche where racing machinery is sold as exclusive, experience-driven luxury goods long before it hits the track.
What's next:
The buyer now enters a waiting game, with years to go before taking delivery of the actual car. For McLaren, the sale is a major commercial success and a testament to the brand's strength. It also sets a precedent that other top teams may look to follow as they seek innovative ways to monetize their technical prowess and global fanbase. All eyes will now be on the 2026 season to see if the real-world MCL40A can live up to the multimillion-dollar promise of its conceptual version.