McLaren is set to make a major statement at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, as the much-anticipated W1 will be displayed publicly for the very first time.
Taking pride of place at McLaren House, the W1 represents the latest evolution in their road car line-up and is described by McLaren as offering “sensational power delivery, authentic theatre and pure driver connection”. Only 399 units have been made available to customers — all of which have already been allocated.
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Powered by a brand-new 1275PS V8 hybrid powertrain that drives the rear wheels, the W1 features active aerodynamics inspired by Formula 1, including ground effect technology. The W1 follows the legendary McLaren F1 and P1 in the company’s ‘1’ car bloodline, and all three will be shown together at Goodwood.
As part of the wider festival theme, Champions and Challengers, McLaren will also honour the 30th anniversary of its historic win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The victorious F1 GTR – car #59 – will take to the Goodwood Hillclimb, piloted by JJ Lehto, one of the three drivers who secured McLaren’s debut win at the iconic endurance race. The same car was recently on display in the McLaren: A Name for Eternity exhibition at the Le Mans Museum.
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Another nod to that Le Mans triumph comes in the form of the 750S Le Mans, which will also be shown at McLaren House. Limited to just 50 examples, this special edition model includes the MSO-developed High Downforce Kit, designed to improve both aerodynamic performance and circuit handling. It pays tribute to the ultra-rare McLaren F1 LM road car, created to mark the 1995 Le Mans win.
Returning to Goodwood once more is the track-only Solus GT, McLaren’s extreme single-seat hypercar powered by a 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 producing 840PS. Weighing under 1,000kg, the Solus GT stole the show in 2023 by winning the Timed Shootout Final. Last year, double F1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen took to the hill in a Solus GT finished in a bespoke MSO livery matching his 1998 title-winning MP4/13. McLaren will again run a customer car this year, showcasing the extensive personalisation options available through McLaren Special Operations.
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Further action will come from the 750S and Artura MCL38 Celebration Edition models, both taking part in dynamic runs during the event. These limited-run editions — nine examples of each — celebrate McLaren’s 2024 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship victory, with MSO-designed liveries finished in the familiar Papaya Orange and Anthracite colours.
Lastly, McLaren is marking ten years of its LT (Longtail) models in 2025. The ‘Celebrate LT’ programme, introduced earlier this year, has brought together LT owners globally through a series of events. Several models from McLaren’s Heritage collection will be on display in the Supercar Paddock, and are expected to participate in live demonstrations over the festival weekend.
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