McLaren Automotive recently commemorated the 100-year milestone of the iconic Le Mans race with a dazzling display and active participation at the 2023 Le Mans Classic. This event paid tribute to the illustrious history of one of the world’s most renowned endurance races and highlighted McLaren’s remarkable debut victory in 1995. In their first attempt, McLaren secured the Le Mans 24 Hours race with the legendary F1 GTR, a race-prepared version of their road-going F1. Drivers Yannick Dalmas, Masanori Sekiya, and JJ Letho skillfully completed 298 laps under challenging conditions to claim the victory, with McLaren cars occupying four out of the top five positions in the official classification. This win marked a significant achievement for McLaren as it completed the unofficial ‘Triple Crown,’ signifying victories in three of the most demanding motor races in the world – Le Mans, the Indianapolis 500, and the Monaco Grand Prix.
This display serves as an important part of McLaren’s ongoing celebration of 60 years since its establishment in 1963 by Bruce McLaren. The original race-winning F1 GTR from 1995, with chassis number #01R, has been showcased at The Grand Centenary Exhibition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans throughout the month of June. The Le Mans Museum hosted this exhibition, which features 86 iconic Le Mans cars, including over 60 past winners. The Le Mans Classic also witnessed thrilling high-speed demonstrations of McLaren’s latest supercars, the Artura (McLaren’s first series-production V6 hybrid supercar) and the V8-powered 720S. McLaren enthusiasts and customers were captivated by these exhibitions.
The McLaren paddock stand at the Le Mans Classic welcomed visitors to admire an impressive array of McLarens. The McLaren Senna and the 765LT Coupe were prominently showcased, representing the Ultimate Series. In addition, two more F1 GTRs, each with their own Le Mans history, were on display, further highlighting McLaren’s presence at the event. As the automaker embarks on the next 60 years, it continues to celebrate its racing heritage while pushing the boundaries of automotive technology with its current and future supercar lineup.
