McLaren sells an unraced 2026 F1 car at auction for $12 million.

McLaren sells an unraced 2026 F1 car at auction for $12 million.

      The authentic MCL40A is scheduled for delivery in early 2028.

      In an unprecedented action, McLaren is auctioning a Formula 1 car that has yet to be built or raced. RM Sotheby’s has presented the 2026 McLaren MCL40A, which will be piloted by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the upcoming season, with an estimated price of US $10-12 million. The auction is set to occur in Abu Dhabi on December 5.

      Sotheby’s states that this sale offers "a world-first opportunity to acquire a future Formula 1 car prior to its unveiling," with the winning bidder to receive either Norris’ or Piastri’s chassis—delivered well after the 2026 season ends. The buyer will not take immediate possession of the car. Instead, McLaren will provide a non-functional 2025 show car for display until the authentic MCL40A is delivered in early 2028, a two-year delay intended to safeguard technical secrets under the yet-to-be-implemented 2026 F1 regulations.

      Additionally, RM Sotheby’s will showcase a piece of F1 history during the same sale—the 1991 McLaren MP4-6, which was famously driven by Ayrton Senna to victory in that year's Brazilian GP, with an estimated value of $12-15 million.

McLaren sells an unraced 2026 F1 car at auction for $12 million.

Other articles

Damon Hill: Something happened to Oscar… Damon Hill: Something happened to Oscar… Damon Hill, taking part in the Stay on Track podcast, reflected on the difficult situation in which McLaren's drivers now find themselves, most notably Oscar Piastri... Massa alleges that Ferrari kept him quiet regarding the crashgate incident. Massa alleges that Ferrari kept him quiet regarding the crashgate incident. Formula 1 | Felipe Massa has informed the London court that Ferrari tried to prevent him from discussing the 2008 'crashgate' scandal publicly - and that his (…) Herta tests F2 car at Monza as his F1 journey commences. Herta tests F2 car at Monza as his F1 journey commences. Formula 1 | Colton Herta's highly awaited journey to Formula 1 has officially started, with indications that the American has discreetly finished a (…) Carlos Sainz: Don't be afraid to experiment Carlos Sainz proposes radically changing the format of weekends that include a sprint to liven up such races, which don't always play out in an exciting way... Rumors regarding Horner circulate as Alpine's stake is discreetly put up for sale. Rumors regarding Horner circulate as Alpine's stake is discreetly put up for sale. Formula 1 | New rumors have surfaced suggesting that Christian Horner may be involved with a consortium planning a significant investment in Formula 1 - following reports (...) "This claim was not well-received at the time." Felipe Massa informed the London court that Ferrari tried to prevent him from publicly discussing the 2008 'crashgate' scandal, and that his then-future teammate, Fernando Alonso, was aware of the intentional crash from the beginning. "In October 2009, I told journalists that I believe Fernando Alonso knew the crash was intentional," Massa stated during his testimony as he pursues legal action against the FIA, F1, and former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone. "This claim was not well-received at the time." The Brazilian asserts that Ferrari’s contract management company, GSA, produced an official letter asking him to retract his comments. "The letter was signed by Henry Peter," Massa noted, referring to the Swiss attorney representing Ferrari. According to Massa, Ferrari wanted him to publicly make the statement, but he declined. "Ferrari then prepared a statement for me, but I refused to issue it. Instead, I simply said it was time to look forward," he clarified. Massa, who lost the 2008 world championship to Lewis Hamilton by a single point, also testified that Jean Todt, who was Ferrari’s team principal at that time and the father of Massa’s manager Nicolas Todt, already believed the Renault crash was intentional. "Todt said he was convinced Nelsinho crashed the car on purpose," Massa recounted. "I didn’t believe it at the time because I was aware of how much Jean disliked Flavio Briatore. There was a personal rivalry between them back then." These revelations emerge as Massa continues his legal battle over alleged inaction related to the Singapore GP scandal, which he claims cost him the 2008 world title. "This claim was not well-received at the time." Felipe Massa informed the London court that Ferrari tried to prevent him from publicly discussing the 2008 'crashgate' scandal, and that his then-future teammate, Fernando Alonso, was aware of the intentional crash from the beginning. "In October 2009, I told journalists that I believe Fernando Alonso knew the crash was intentional," Massa stated during his testimony as he pursues legal action against the FIA, F1, and former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone. "This claim was not well-received at the time." The Brazilian asserts that Ferrari’s contract management company, GSA, produced an official letter asking him to retract his comments. "The letter was signed by Henry Peter," Massa noted, referring to the Swiss attorney representing Ferrari. According to Massa, Ferrari wanted him to publicly make the statement, but he declined. "Ferrari then prepared a statement for me, but I refused to issue it. Instead, I simply said it was time to look forward," he clarified. Massa, who lost the 2008 world championship to Lewis Hamilton by a single point, also testified that Jean Todt, who was Ferrari’s team principal at that time and the father of Massa’s manager Nicolas Todt, already believed the Renault crash was intentional. "Todt said he was convinced Nelsinho crashed the car on purpose," Massa recounted. "I didn’t believe it at the time because I was aware of how much Jean disliked Flavio Briatore. There was a personal rivalry between them back then." These revelations emerge as Massa continues his legal battle over alleged inaction related to the Singapore GP scandal, which he claims cost him the 2008 world title. Formula 1 | Kalle Rovanpera, a two-time world rally champion, has initiated his shift from world rallying to single-seater racing, having finished his first test in an older (…)

McLaren sells an unraced 2026 F1 car at auction for $12 million.

Formula 1 | In a unique decision, McLaren is putting a Formula 1 car up for auction that has neither been constructed nor raced. RM Sotheby's has announced the auction of the 2026 McLaren (…)