The Driver’s Seat: Henry Catchpole on the McLaren W1

The McLaren W1 is following in some pretty illustrious tire tracks since the McLaren F1 and the McLaren P1 are both legitimate icons of the supercar landscape. But when it was unveiled the W1 didn’t seem to create quite the buzz you might expect, especially given the company’s heritage. Henry Catchpole went to the McLaren Technology Centre to talk to the people behind it and do some investigation. What he found was a car that has true Formula 1 expertise baked into it and promises to be an incredible drive.

With all 399 already accounted for at a cool £2 million (before options, that’s nearly $2.6M U.S.) each, the W1 has arguably done all the impressing it needs already. But as a halo car, the W1 is as much about setting the tone for the brand as it is pleasing a short list of buyers. It ought to prompt longing just to see one in its carbon and 3D-printed titanium glory. One of the reasons that it hasn’t yet made people gasp is that a headline power output of 1257bhp isn’t really that extraordinary for a hypercar in 2024. Until, that is, you realize that all of it is going just to the rear wheels. The W1 is going to require some mastery, and that makes it much more compelling.

Then there are the looks—at first glance, the W1 could be considered a replacement for the 750S rather than a wild Ultimate Series car. But there are reasons for its aesthetic. The first is that its complex aerodynamics are based on the principles of ground effects, and that’s led to the car’s form following well behind its function. Then there is the fact that this is attempting to be a genuinely useable supercar on the road as well as a blindingly fast one around a track. That means seating two people properly. As such, it has to look a little more conventional than something like an Aston Martin Valkyrie.

But make no mistake, this car has a crazy amount of downforce. McLaren has genuinely put Formula 1 know-how into it. For a start, Robin Algoo, whose brainchild the aero concept is, worked as an aerodynamicist in the F1 team from 2010 to 2016. McLaren could have quoted a maximum downforce figure of 1298kg (2862lb) but as that’s only available for a fraction of a second under high-speed braking, the decision was instead taken to quote the 1000kg that is available in sustained fashion under high-speed cornering.

The engine is also completely new, the suspension has 3D-printed titanium elements, there is a heave spring at the front and, just as importantly, hydraulic power assistance for the steering has been retained. The interior features a new material called InnoKnit (which conjures up images of F1 Mechanics getting the knitting needles out in the pits in their spare time) and even the instrument binnacle is aerodynamic.

So, if you to lust after the latest round of hypercars, which would you have in your dream garage? McLaren W1, the Bugatti Tourbillon, the Ferrari F80 or something else? Let us know in the comments below.