McLaren Marks 100 Years of Le Mans

McLaren Automotive is joining the centenary celebrations for the 24 Hours of Le Mans at this year’s Le Mans Classic, commemorating its victory in the iconic race in 1995. In addition to paying tribute to that momentous win, McLaren will also showcase its latest high-performance supercars on the track.

The McLaren F1 GTR, the race version of the renowned F1 road car, triumphed in its debut at the Le Mans 24 Hours race. Piloted by Yannick Dalmas, Masanori Sekiya, and JJ Letho, the F1 GTR secured victory after an impressive 298 laps. Despite challenging weather conditions, McLaren dominated the race with four of its cars occupying the top five positions.

This triumph granted McLaren the prestigious “Triple Crown” of motorsport, signifying victories in three of the most demanding races in the world: Le Mans, the Indianapolis 500 (won by McLaren in 1974), and the Monaco Grand Prix (won by McLaren in 1984). As McLaren celebrates its 60th anniversary since its founding by Bruce McLaren in 1963, this achievement holds great significance.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, McLaren is participating in the Le Mans Classic, where enthusiasts can witness the Artura, McLaren’s first series-production V6 hybrid supercar, alongside the V8-powered 720S supercar on display in the paddock. These stunning vehicles will also take part in high-speed runs on the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe.

A true highlight of the exhibition is the display of the 1995 race-winning McLaren F1 GTR, known as chassis #01R. This car, which served as the original test and development racing model of the F1 road car, has been showcased at The Grand Centenary Exhibition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans throughout June. The exhibition, located within the Le Mans Museum, features 86 iconic Le Mans cars, including over 60 winners.

At the McLaren stand in the paddock, visitors to the Le Mans Classic will have the opportunity to explore a range of McLaren cars from past and present. Alongside the Artura and 720S, the Ultimate Series will be represented by the McLaren Senna, while the 765LT Coupe will also be on display. McLaren’s celebrations will include two additional F1 GTRs with Le Mans pedigree, which will be present and showcased in static displays.

McLaren’s participation in the Le Mans Classic not only pays homage to its historic victory in 1995 but also allows enthusiasts to witness the brand’s current lineup of exceptional supercars.