Skip advert
Advertisement

The original McLaren F1 press release in full - Every detail of the incredible V12 supercar - The McLaren F1

As McLaren re-publishes the full, original 1992 press release for its F1 supercar, it's a perfect time to celebrate the F1, we think

PRESENTED AT THE SPORTING CLUB MONACO ON THURSDAY 28 MAY 1992

PREFACE

Having won seven World Championship titles in the past eight Formula One racing seasons, the next logical challenge for TAG/McLaren has been to exploit its outstanding Grand Prix racing capabilities in the design of an entirely new order of high performance road car – the production McLaren F1.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Our new McLaren F1 presents Formula 1 technology in road-going form – a high performance sports car, dedicated to driving pleasure, yet being habitable and spacious, capable, in fact, of carrying three tall adults and their luggage in great comfort.

All manufacturers claim excellence, advance and high-technology in new products. All modern ‘supercars’ claim high-performance, low drag, head-turning style.

But now McLaren Cars’ philosophy marks a completely new departure. Our thinking behind the McLaren F1 is genuinely different. Different but not new. McLaren Cars’ approach matches that of the earliest pioneers of motoring itself, combining a completely clean sheet of paper with leading edge technology.

Because no avoidable compromise is acceptable in Formula 1 design, none has been accepted in our new F1 – no carry-over of existing components; no separated design of chassis and body; no expedient use of proprietary parts, nor any proprietary engine; no submission to passing fads or fashion. Unless the most penetrating engineering analysis has demanded it, the F1 does not feature it.

A Formula 1 car simply adapted for the road, however, would be uninhabitable, impractical, harsh, vibratory – ferociously tiring. But Formula 1 technology applied unreservedly for the road – as in the McLaren F1 – marks an entirely new departure, a new dawn for high-performance motoring.

This is the exclusive McLaren F1 – painstakingly redefining the Grand Touring ‘supercar’ and ‘driver’s car’ for the 21st century.

Mansour OjjehCHAIRMAN

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Honda Civic Type R v Alpine A290: best of electric battles combustion-powered king
Honda Civic Type R v Alpine A290
Group tests

Honda Civic Type R v Alpine A290: best of electric battles combustion-powered king

The Alpine A290 is one of the most engaging electric hot hatches on sale, but can it ever match the Honda Civic Type R?
24 May 2026
Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 review - the 340bhp V6 sports car you never knew you needed
Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 corner rear
Reviews

Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 review - the 340bhp V6 sports car you never knew you needed

By putting a 340bhp Jaguar V6 in Mazda's MX-5 specialist Rocketeer has created one of 2026's unexpected driving hits.
22 May 2026
Ferrari Luce unveiled as bold 1035bhp four-door with the world’s most unusual wipers
Ferrari Luce official
News

Ferrari Luce unveiled as bold 1035bhp four-door with the world’s most unusual wipers

Ferrari has revealed its first all-electric car: the Luce. We’ve been to Rome to witness its reveal and take in its polarising design 
25 May 2026