McLaren to auction 2026 F1 car before it has been raced
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Pre-Season Testing - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain - February 21, 2024 McLaren's logo is seen during the pre-season testing REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
LONDON - Champions McLaren claimed a first on Thursday by announcing the auction of one of their 2026 Formula One cars before it has even been raced.
The F1 car, which will be driven by Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris, is one of a trio of future chassis offered by McLaren in the December 5 sale organised by RM Sotheby's ahead of this year's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The other two are a 2026 Arrow McLaren Indycar, to be raced at the Indianapolis 500 next May by Mexican Pato O'Ward, and McLaren's inaugural 2027 World Endurance Hypercar that will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
McLaren Chief Executive Zak Brown said the auction would be the first time a future Formula One car had been sold before it had been unveiled to the public.
The as-yet unnamed 2026 car, likely to be the MCL40 after this year's MCL39, will be the team's first for a new era in Formula One with a big change in technical and engine regulations.
The successful bidder will have to wait until 2028 to take delivery, with a 2025 show car offered on lease until then to the buyer who will also have behind the scenes access to the team and events.
The other cars will be delivered after the respective series have ended.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF
Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home
Singapore askST: What are the fire safety rules for PMDs?
Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort
Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at wrong airport in South Korea
Opinion Could telco consolidation spell the end of attractive mobile plans?
Singapore Change in law proposed to pave the way for public-private sector data sharing
Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength
McLaren are the only team to have won the 'Triple Crown' of the Monaco Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans and will try to add to their success when they return to endurance racing in 2027. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
9 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Errani, Vavassori retain US Open mixed doubles crown
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox NEW YORK - Italians Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori retained their mixed doubles title at the U.S. Open on Wednesday, overcoming Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud 6-3 5-7 10-6 in the competition's reimagined format that drew some of the top singles players. The defending champions, who needed a wild card entry into the competition that prioritised singles rankings, relied on their veteran experience to outfox the Polish-Norwegian duo. The packed house at Arthur Ashe Stadium cheered wildly as Vavassori clinched it with a lethal forehand and the pair walked away with a $1 million prize. Organisers have tested a novel format for the competition this year, hosting it during the week before the main singles draw with eight entries based on combined singles rankings of players and eight wild cards. REUTERS
Straits Times
9 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Mixed Martial Arts-Olympic champion wrestler Steveson set for MMA debut
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Wrestling - Freestyle - Men's 125kg - Medal Ceremony - Makuhari Messe Hall A, Chiba, Japan - August 6, 2021. Gold medallist Gable Steveson of the United States poses with his medal. REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo Olympic wrestling champion Gable Steveson will make his mixed martial arts debut next month, the latest turn in a winding career path that has seen the American compete in pro wrestling and sign for a National Football League (NFL) team. Steveson, who won a gold medal in the super heavyweight category at the Tokyo Olympics four years ago, will fight in a Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) event on September 12 in a heavyweight bout with Braden Peterson in Minnesota. A number of Olympic wrestlers including Henry Cejudo and Daniel Cormier have successfully made the shift into MMA, in which grappling is a key component. "The ultimate goal for me is to be the best of the best," Steveson told LFA in an interview on Wednesday. "You see guys like Jon Jones, you see Conor McGregor, you see Khamzat Chimaev, you see Daniel Cormier. You see guys that have come from a wrestling background that have made it big in this sport. "I want to be one of those guys too." The 25-year-old signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) shortly after his triumph at the Tokyo Games, appearing several times on the company's programming before being released in 2024. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore Parliament releases seating plan for 15th term: Find out who is sitting where Singapore 3 people taken to hospital after fire in Bukit Merah flat Singapore There's no 'I' in team: What PM Wong's National Day Rally message means for Singapore Singapore 3 Sengkang Green Primary pupils suspended for bullying classmate, with 1 of them caned: MOE World Israel says it has taken first steps of military operation in Gaza City Life Why should we bear the burden of budget meals and app discounts, some hawkers ask Business Chinese brands like Pop Mart, BYD, Joocyee expanding into S'pore as gateway to Asean market Opinion How not to use AI is a skill Singapore must master A two-time heavyweight National Collegiate Athletic Association champion at the University of Minnesota, he was also signed by the NFL's Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent defensive tackle in May last year. He was released three months later after failing to make the cut for the team's 53-man roster. REUTERS
Straits Times
39 minutes ago
- Straits Times
No plans to bring Formula 1 GP back to Malaysia, sports minister says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Malaysia previously hosted a leg of the F1 world championship at its Sepang International Circuit (SIC) between 1999 and 2017. KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has no plans to bring back the annual Formula One race due to high sponsorship costs and a tight racing calendar, its sports minister Hannah Yeoh told parliament on Aug 21. Malaysia previously hosted a leg of the F1 world championship at its Sepang International Circuit (SIC) between 1999 and 2017. Ms Yeoh said that the event would require a commitment of around 300 million ringgit annually for between three to five years, an amount that is more than double the government's development costs for 20 national sports programmes. Malaysia would also have to compete with other hosting countries in South-east Asia, such as Singapore and Thailand, for a spot on the tournament calendar, she said. The Thai government in June approved a US$1.2 billion bid to host a F1 race in Bangkok in 2028. Malaysia, however, remains open to hosting the event if any private companies were willing to bear the costs, Ms Yeoh said, adding that interested parties can get in touch with the SIC for further discussions. 'The Formula 1 is a prestigious sports event that is followed by fans around the world. So if we could afford it, it would be good to have it in Malaysia,' she said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 3 people taken to hospital after fire in Bukit Merah flat Singapore There's no 'I' in team: What PM Wong's National Day Rally message means for Singapore Singapore 3 Sengkang Green Primary pupils suspended for bullying classmate, with 1 of them caned: MOE World Israel says it has taken first steps of military operation in Gaza City Life Why should we bear the burden of budget meals and app discounts, some hawkers ask Business Chinese brands like Pop Mart, BYD, Joocyee expanding into S'pore as gateway to Asean market Singapore 18 persons nabbed and 82 vapes seized in HSA ops in Raffles Place and Haji Lane Opinion How not to use AI is a skill Singapore must master 'Organising F1 races requires the government to pay about RM300mil annually to Liberty Media, which holds the F1 commercial rights. Malaysia must also bind itself to a contract of between three to five years with the said company, amounting to a commitment of about RM1.5bil during this period.' State energy firm Petroliam Nasional Berhad, or Petronas, which is wholly-owned by the government, holds the naming rights to the SIC, which continues to host MotoGP races and other motorsports events. Reuters reported last year that Petronas was planning to bring F1 back to Malaysia in 2026, citing sources, though the company said it had not held discussions to bring the race back to the SIC. A day before Ms Yeoh's statement, SIC chief executive Azhan Shafriman also said 'the costs are very expensive' to host an F1 race. 'We have to look at how Singapore is hosting it. They have everyone on board in making it a success, from the ministries to the corporate sector to the hotels. Everybody contributes,' he added. 'It has to be like that if we bring it back here.' In related news, it was reported on motor racing website GPblog that Portimao, where the Portuguese Grand Prix took place, has held a meeting regarding a return to the F1 calendar. However, with only 24 slots, the circuit will have to wait for an opportunity. REUTERS
