McLaren are taking the rare step of auctioning off a piece of history which hasn’t even happened yet.
The manufacturers are giving fans the opportunity to buy cars from the next two years which they hope will encapsulate a defining era for the brand.
McLaren aim to win the Monaco Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500 race, and Le Mans 24 Hour World Endurance Championship slog – a prestigious set called the Triple Crown which only they have completed before.
With that in mind, the British outfit are auctioning off either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri’s car from Monaco next year, the 2026 Indy 500 machine, and their 2027 Le Mans drive.
The auction will be taking place during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December in collaboration with classic car auction house RM Sotheby’s.
Of course, the winning bidders will then have to wait for the cars to be used before getting them – you can’t deprive Norris or Piastri of their unit for Monaco!
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown said: ‘This auction is an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of racing history and bid for a car that has competed on track before its official launch.
‘The Triple Crown is a huge part of our heritage and we are determined to claim it once again as we prepare for our 2027 entry into the World Endurance Championship.
‘Not only that, these incredible cars will come with unprecedented VIP access to the team and action on track.
‘My first race was the 1981 Long Beach Grand Prix – I remember it like it was yesterday.
‘I remember the experience. I remember the first racing driver I met, the first car I saw, and then I started collecting the 1:43s. And then as business grew, I could move up to the 1:18s, and then finally, I’ve been fortunate enough to get some of the full-size versions.
‘So when I look at the McLaren fans, it’s everything from me as the 10-year-old who then wants the 1:43 diecast to play Hot Wheels, etc., up to adults that have substantial means and want to have the big version sitting in their garage.
‘We have great fans around the world of all ages, genders, and demographics, and so obviously this is right at the peak of what you can do to be part of the McLaren Papaya Club, if you’d like. We think it’s a really cool opportunity.
‘And we’re going to do track cars of our World Endurance cars, so those won’t have the racing heritage that these three cars have, but will also be a great experience. It’s something we want to do more of.’
Unfortunately, it should be noted that none of the cars would be street legal, so there’s no chance of blitzing your mates on the motorway.
