Rare McLaren F1 GTR Could Become the Most Valuable Ever

A legendary McLaren F1 GTR with Le Mans history is expected to sell for more than $35 million at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction.

One of the most important McLaren F1 GTR race cars ever built is heading to auction. The legendary machine will cross the block during Monterey Car Week, where RM Sotheby’s expects bids to exceed $35 million. If that happens, it will become the most expensive McLaren ever sold.

The combination of racing history, extreme rarity, and celebrity ownership makes this one of the most desirable collector cars in the world.

One of Only Nine McLaren F1 GTRs

The original McLaren F1 was created by Gordon Murray as the ultimate road car. However, customer demand soon convinced McLaren to build a racing version.

That decision led to the McLaren F1 GTR, a car that won the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans outright.

Only nine examples of the F1 GTR were produced.

The car heading to auction is chassis 10R, the first F1 GTR ever built. It competed at Le Mans before later being converted for road use.

The McLaren F1 GTR heading to auction is one of only nine examples ever built.

BMW’s V12 Made History

Power comes from BMW’s naturally aspirated 6.1-liter V12, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive.

Compared with the standard F1, the GTR received several upgrades:

• Lightweight construction
• Fixed rear wing
• Racing suspension
• Carbon-ceramic brakes

These improvements transformed the F1 into one of the most successful endurance race cars of its era.

In addition, the McLaren F1 became famous for combining incredible speed with exceptional driver engagement.

BMW’s V12 engine helped make the McLaren F1 one of the fastest and most iconic supercars ever created.

Celebrity Ownership Adds More Value

After its racing career ended, the car joined the private collection of Nick Mason, the drummer of Pink Floyd.

Mason is widely known as one of the world’s most respected car collectors. Throughout his ownership, he continued driving and maintaining the car instead of leaving it on display.

As a result, the McLaren combines racing pedigree with an impressive ownership history.

A Record-Breaking Sale Could Be Next

RM Sotheby’s estimates the McLaren F1 GTR could sell for more than $35 million.

If bidding reaches that figure, it will comfortably surpass the current auction record for any McLaren F1.

Collectors value this example because it offers everything they look for. It has Le Mans history, extreme rarity, factory significance, and celebrity provenance.

More than 30 years after its debut, the McLaren F1 continues to be considered one of the greatest supercars ever built. This particular GTR may soon become its most valuable example.

The historic McLaren F1 GTR could become the most expensive McLaren ever sold.