GOAT Episode 4: The OG Speed-king, McLaren F1

I’m going to summarize the McLaren F1 in three words – Gordan Murray, 3 seats, 386.4 kmph! 

Yes, this was the undisputed king of speed all the way from 1992 to 2005. Until Bugatti brought out the Veyron to beat the record, which it did but not by much, and that too after 13 years! 

Oh, and the Veyron needed 4 turbos to achieve this feat whereas the McLaren was au natural…-ly aspirated.

A 90s tech-marvel

We’re talking about a car that was way ahead of its time and continues to be cutting edge even today. In fact, the McLaren F1 was among the first to use material considered to be forged by the dark arts – carbon fiber, aluminium and magnesium. 

To put things into perspective, we had here a supersonic beast that weighed just 1,138 kgs! My E30, which I consider light, is still at 1,200 kgs after weight reduction modifications.

The F1 boasted 618 ponies, thanks to a BMW V12 married to a 6-speed manual transmission (no fancy automated manuals or dual-clutches to the assist), to push this light frame all the way to 386.4 kmph.

To keep the car on the ground at speeds exceeding 350 kmph, McLaren didn’t slap on massive wings to the rear end (at least on the standard car – the GTR and the LM did have spoilers). Instead, they utilised ground effects that sucked the car to the tarmac by using FANS! 

Yes, a tech Gordan Murray pioneered and has incorporated into his upcoming supercar as well.

Staying centred

The tech doesn’t stop there either. McLaren mastered the centred driver’s seat too. Yes, the driver sits smack dab in the middle of the car with passengers behind him or her  on either side.

The F1 even features a MODEM (everybody do the 90s modem sounds), which communicates with McLaren service centers to ensure your supercar is in perfect working order. 

What did this piece of absolute greatness cost? Only about $800,000 in the 90s. And anywhere north of $15 million if you want to own one today.

The famous faces of the McLaren F1

As expected, Ralph Lauren (that sexy beast) keeps his ultra cool look behind the wheel of an F1. It’s no wonder he’s still pumping out snug undies for the masses (30 bucks for a 3 pair!).

But here’s one guy you just can’t see pulling up into his driveway in a Gordan Murray specialty. We’re of course talking about this man right here:

He might be a walking talking klutz of a man on television, but off screen he’s no Johnny English. He’s a smooth customer with the ride to match. Then again, he did crash his F1 into a tree, costing his insurance company almost £1 million, and that wasn’t his first time either. You could say that’s no Bean feat, eh? #dadjokes

Still, he somehow managed to sell it for £8 million. Considering he bought it for £540,000 back in 1997, this was one of the biggest deals on the F1 in history. We just hope he didn’t change the security system to a flimsy padlock.

I can go on and on about the F1, but time is of the essence and so I’ll give it to you straight: This is the greatest car ever built. #sueme.

McLaren went all out with the F1 and it continues to be their best car to date. And quite possibly, the best car ever made!

While I usually end these posts with an #iwantone (LOL), I don’t have enough organs in my body to afford an oil change on one of these. So, I’m going to have to live with #iwanttotouchone.