In a groundbreaking collaboration, The LEGO Group and McLaren Automotive have unveiled an extraordinary feat of engineering and creativity: a life-size, driveable LEGO® Technic™ version of the legendary McLaren P1™ supercar. This remarkable achievement not only showcases the ingenuity of both teams but also pushes the boundaries of what is possible with LEGO Technic elements.
A Monumental Engineering Achievement
The life-size LEGO Technic McLaren P1™ is a testament to the impressive capabilities of LEGO’s building system. Constructed from a staggering 342,817 LEGO Technic pieces, this one-of-a-kind vehicle weighs approximately 1,220 kilograms. What sets this build apart is its functionality; it features fully operational steering and an electric motor powered by LEGO Technic Function batteries and a standard electric car battery. This allows it to navigate the intricate twists and turns of a racetrack—a first for any LEGO big build.
The project involved 23 specialists from both the LEGO Group and McLaren Automotive, who dedicated 8,344 hours to the design, engineering, and construction of the car. The result is a model that includes 393 different types of LEGO Technic elements, highlighting both the complexity and the precision required to replicate the McLaren P1™ at full scale.
The Ultimate Test: Silverstone Circuit
To put this engineering marvel to the ultimate test, McLaren Formula 1™ driver Lando Norris took the wheel. The iconic Silverstone Circuit, a venue steeped in McLaren’s rich racing history, provided the perfect backdrop for this extraordinary challenge. Norris successfully completed a lap around the 5.891-kilometer (3.66 miles) track, demonstrating the functionality and performance of the LEGO Technic McLaren P1™ in a real-world setting.
The achievement is not just a showcase of technical prowess but also a celebration of McLaren’s storied past at Silverstone, making it a fitting location for this landmark event.
Inspiring Future Innovators
Ben Gulliver, Test & Development Director at McLaren Automotive, expressed his enthusiasm about the project, stating, “Having worked on the original P1 programme for McLaren, it’s amazing to see so many of the elements from the original McLaren P1™ brought to life so realistically by the LEGO Technic team for the full-scale model. The car was an icon of its time. I hope that through this collaboration with the LEGO Group, we are able to inspire the next generation of designers and engineers to push the boundaries of automotive innovation.”
Lukáš Horák, Senior Project Manager of Installations at LEGO Group, echoed this sentiment: “This project marks the latest in a long list of collaborations between the LEGO Group and McLaren, bringing together McLaren engineers and the LEGO Model Production team from conception all the way to the final build. McLaren’s automotive and engineering expertise has been invaluable in helping us produce a model as authentic to the original McLaren P1™ as possible, allowing us to turn a dream into a reality.”
A New LEGO Technic Set
For enthusiasts eager to experience a piece of this innovative collaboration, the 1:8 scale LEGO Technic McLaren P1™ set is now available for purchase. Priced at £389.99 / €449.99 / $449.99, the set can be found at LEGO.com/McLaren and LEGO Stores worldwide.
This project not only celebrates the iconic McLaren P1™ but also represents a significant milestone in LEGO’s engineering achievements, demonstrating how play and innovation can come together to create something truly spectacular.
