The Four Most Expensive McClarens
Discover the four most expensive McLarens sold over $2 million in 2025, spanning the ultimate road-going supercar, future Formula 1 machinery, and McLaren’s return to the pinnacle of endurance racing.
McLaren’s most valuable cars tell a story that extends far beyond outright speed. They chart the evolution of a manufacturer that has repeatedly blurred the boundaries between road cars and racing machines, fusing Formula 1–derived engineering with uncompromising design ambition. From the analogue purity of the McLaren F1 to the cutting edge of hybrid hypercars and modern motorsport prototypes, the marque’s top-tier examples reflect moments when McLaren fundamentally redefined what a performance car could be.
What distinguishes the highest echelon of the McLaren market is not simply technological sophistication, but narrative depth. The most expensive examples are defined by unrepeatable provenance, limited production, factory involvement at the highest level, and direct ties to motorsport history. Whether conceived as the ultimate driver’s road car, engineered to contest the world’s greatest endurance race, or offered as a future Formula 1 chassis before it ever turns a wheel, these McLarens represent milestones that continue to resonate with serious collectors.
As values climb and opportunities become increasingly rare, strategic financing has become an important consideration for buyers operating at this level. Sotheby’s Financial Services regularly supports acquisitions of historically significant McLarens, enabling collectors to preserve liquidity, avoid selling appreciated assets, and act decisively when exceptional examples come to market.
Below are the four most expensive McLarens sold at RM Sotheby’s in 2025, landmark examples that underscore the strength of McLaren’s top-tier market.
Key Takeaways: Most Expensive McLarens
| Model | Year | Why It Matters | Sale Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLaren F1 | 1994 | The definitive road-going supercar with unmatched provenance and engineering purity | $25.32M |
| McLaren Formula 1 Team MCL40A | 2026 | A world-first opportunity to acquire a future Formula 1 World Championship car | $11.48M |
| McLaren United AS LMDh Hypercar | 2027 | McLaren’s return to Le Mans and the successor to the F1 GTR | $7.60M |
| McLaren Speedtail | 2020 | A modern reinterpretation of the F1 concept and McLaren’s fastest road car | $2.21M |
1994 McLaren F1, 25,317,500 USD
This 1994 McLaren F1 sold for $25,317,500 in December 2025, reaffirming its status as one of the most important road cars ever created. Chassis 014 is the 14th of just 64 road-specification F1s produced and represents an extraordinary opportunity to acquire the most celebrated supercar of the modern era.
Conceived under the direction of Gordon Murray, the F1 was never intended to chase records. Instead, it sought to deliver the ultimate driving experience by transplanting Formula 1 technology into a road-going package. The result was revolutionary: carbon-fiber monocoque construction, a three-seat layout with a central driving position, gold-foil heat shielding in the engine bay, and a bespoke BMW-sourced 6.1-liter naturally aspirated V-12 producing 627 horsepower. Its derestricted top speed of 391 km/h remains the fastest ever recorded by a naturally aspirated production road car.
Delivered new to the Brunei Royal Family in Titanium Yellow over black, chassis 014 later returned to McLaren in Woking for a comprehensive rebuild in 2007. During this process, it was refinished in Ibis White and fitted with the highly desirable High-Downforce Kit, LM-specification interior, upgraded exhaust, and GTR-style wheels. At the time, it was the last of only eight F1s to receive this factory-approved conversion. The refurbishment alone exceeded $500,000 and was documented in extraordinary detail.
The car’s provenance is further enriched by its association with two seven-time Formula 1 World Champions. Prior to its repaint, the door sill was signed by Michael Schumacher in March 1996. Later, during its time in the United States, the car was signed by Sir Lewis Hamilton, whose autograph remains visible inside the luggage compartment.
Cars of this significance rarely come to market, which is why acquisitions at this level are often supported by Sotheby’s Financial Services. For collectors pursuing once-in-a-generation automobiles like the McLaren F1, strategic financing can provide the flexibility to secure an irreplaceable asset without disrupting long-term investment strategies.
2026 McLaren Formula 1 Team MCL40A, 11,480,000 USD
Selling for $11,480,000 in December 2025, the McLaren Formula 1 Team MCL40A represents a world-first: the public auction of a future FIA Formula 1 World Championship car before its official unveiling. Offered directly from the McLaren Formula 1 Team, the MCL40A comes from the season in which sweeping new regulations will redefine the sport.
The 2026 regulations usher in lighter, more compact cars featuring active aerodynamics and updated hybrid powertrain components. Power comes from a Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains–developed turbocharged 1.6-liter hybrid V-6, with a dramatic increase in electric output and the adoption of sustainable fuels. The winning bidder will receive either Lando Norris’ or Oscar Piastri’s race-used chassis, delivered at the end of the first quarter of 2028, with a 2025 show car provided on lease in the interim.
Ownership extends well beyond the car itself. The sale includes unparalleled access to McLaren Racing, hospitality experiences at multiple Grands Prix, and invitations to marquee motorsport events including the Monaco Grand Prix, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Indianapolis 500. Once delivered, the car may be used in designated demonstration runs and track events, supported by McLaren Racing engineers and mechanics.
Given the rarity of contemporary Formula 1 cars entering private ownership, transactions of this magnitude increasingly benefit from thoughtful capital planning. Sotheby’s Financial Services works with collectors pursuing modern competition machinery, helping them align financing solutions with auction timelines and participate confidently when unprecedented opportunities like the MCL40A come to market.
2027 McLaren United AS LMDh Hypercar, 7,598,750 USD
This 2027 McLaren United AS LMDh Hypercar sold for $7,598,750 in December 2025, marking McLaren’s highly anticipated return to the top class of endurance racing and the spiritual successor to the legendary F1 GTR.
Designed in collaboration with Dallara and powered by a hybrid V-6 twin-turbo engine, the LMDh Hypercar will contest the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2027. The winning bidder will take delivery directly from McLaren Racing at the conclusion of the season, receiving the car in race-ready condition complete with its season livery, running equipment, and a chassis tag bearing the owner’s name.
Beyond the car itself, ownership includes a remarkable suite of experiences: VIP access to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, hospitality at the Indianapolis 500, and entry to all rounds of the 2027 FIA WEC season. The car is also eligible for track use under prescribed operational guidelines, supported by McLaren United AS.
As with historically significant race cars, acquisitions at this level often benefit from structured financing solutions. Sotheby’s Financial Services assists collectors acquiring elite motorsport machinery, helping align liquidity planning with long-term collecting goals while enabling participation in landmark opportunities like McLaren’s return to Le Mans.
2020 McLaren Speedtail, 2,205,000 USD
This 2020 McLaren Speedtail achieved $2,205,000 in August 2025, representing McLaren’s modern reinterpretation of the seminal F1 concept. Limited to just 106 examples, the Speedtail combines a three-seat central driving position with cutting-edge hybrid performance and dramatic aerodynamic design.
Powered by a 1,035-horsepower hybrid system pairing a twin-turbocharged V-8 with an electric motor developed by McLaren’s Formula E program, the Speedtail delivers a top speed of 250 mph. Advanced active aerodynamics, a lightweight carbon-fiber structure, and Velocity Mode underline McLaren’s commitment to merging innovation with driving engagement.
This particular example, number 85, was specified through McLaren Special Operations in Fresno Valentina Violet over Vintage Tan full aniline leather and driven just 71 miles from new. Its extensive MSO options and near-new condition place it among the most desirable Speedtails to come to market.
Among modern McLarens, the Speedtail is increasingly viewed as a strategic acquisition, balancing limited production with long-term collectibility. Financing through Sotheby’s Financial Services is often employed for hypercars of this caliber, allowing collectors to optimize capital deployment while securing one of McLaren’s most ambitious road cars.
Strategic Financing at the Top of the McLaren Market
At the highest levels of the McLaren market, access to capital can be as decisive as access to the car itself. Sotheby’s Financial Services provides tailored lending solutions that allow collectors to leverage existing vehicles or secure financing in advance of bidding, enabling them to pursue rare McLarens with confidence.
For many buyers, this approach avoids the need to liquidate appreciated assets, preserves long-term investment positions, and provides the agility required when a historically significant McLaren appears at auction. Whether acquiring a foundational road car like the F1, a modern hypercar, or a competition machine tied directly to McLaren’s racing future, having financing in place can fundamentally shape the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Most Expensive McLarens
What was the most expensive McLaren sold in 2025?
The most expensive McLaren sold in 2025 was a 1994 McLaren F1, which achieved $25,317,500 USD in December.
Why is the McLaren F1 considered so important?
The F1 introduced groundbreaking carbon-fiber construction, a central driving position, and a naturally aspirated V-12, setting a benchmark that remains unmatched decades later.
Are modern McLarens like the Speedtail collectible?
Yes. Limited production, technological significance, and strong long-term demand have positioned the Speedtail as a modern collectible.
Do McLaren race cars perform well at auction?
Top-tier examples with factory provenance and direct competition relevance continue to achieve strong results, particularly when they represent major milestones in McLaren’s motorsport history.
How do collectors finance cars at this level?
Many buyers work with Sotheby’s Financial Services to arrange asset-backed financing, allowing them to act decisively while preserving liquidity and long-term investments.
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