McLaren Takes Centre Stage at RM Sotheby’s First Abu Dhabi Auction

In 2024, RM Sotheby’s made its debut in the UAE with a landmark auction at Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, the city’s centre for modern art and design. The sale was a triumph, bringing together collectors, enthusiasts, and some of the most desirable cars in the world. Its return later that year at Emirates Golf Club was equally spectacular, achieving record-breaking results and attracting global attention. Among the highlights was an Aston Martin Valkyrie acquired by a distinguished client of Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty.

Abu Dhabi steps into the spotlight in 2025 as the host of RM Sotheby’s next great moment. The auction will be held on Saadiyat Island, the cultural heart of the capital, known for its world-class museums, beachfront elegance, and artistic spirit. The event marks RM Sotheby’s first-ever sale in Abu Dhabi and forms the centrepiece of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week: a new celebration of craftsmanship, heritage, and the art of collecting.

This year’s sale showcases a now-classic Mclaren road car and brings a unique collaboration between RM Sotheby’s and McLaren, presenting an extraordinary trio of cars that represent the future of British engineering. Together, they offer an unmatched opportunity: the chance to own three vehicles that define the next generation of McLaren’s racing legacy.

1994 McLaren F1

The McLaren F1 is a car that changed the history of performance. Designed by Gordon Murray in the early 1990s, it aimed to deliver the thrill of Formula 1 technology in a road car. Murray insisted it would never be a racecar, yet its track variant went on to win Le Mans in 1995, taking first place and cementing its name in motorsport legend. Powered by a naturally aspirated 6.1-litre BMW V12 engine producing over 600 horsepower, the F1 became the fastest production car of its time, reaching an astonishing 391 km/h.

Only 64 road-going versions were built, each one bespoke. Chassis 014 began life in 1994, commissioned by the Royal Family of Brunei in Titanium Yellow with black interiors. It later passed to McLaren’s former director David Clark, before being sold to a long-time American collector. In 2006, the car underwent a full restoration at McLaren’s headquarters in Woking. It was refinished in Ibis White, fitted with the High-Downforce Kit, and upgraded with LM-specification interior trim and carbon fibre enhancements — an investment exceeding $500,000.

The car’s story is steeped in history. Michael Schumacher’s autograph graces its original panels, while the repainted chassis bears the signature of Sir Lewis Hamilton from his rookie F1 season. With royal provenance, meticulous restoration, and direct links to McLaren’s golden era, Chassis 014 is a collector’s dream and a true icon that bridges the past and the present.

2026 McLaren Formula 1 Team MCL40A

The 2026 Formula 1 season will usher in a new era of racing. Cars will be lighter, smaller, and powered by sustainable hybrid engines. McLaren’s upcoming MCL40A embodies this evolution as a car built to meet new regulations without compromising speed or performance. Designed by McLaren’s team and powered by a Mercedes AMG hybrid unit, it represents the future of racing innovation.

The MCL40A will make its global debut at the start of the 2026 season, but one collector will have the chance to secure it early through RM Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi sale. The winning bidder will receive a show model of the car this December, while the actual race-driven chassis — used by either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri — will be handed over in early 2028.

Beyond the car itself, the package includes a private visit to the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, an exclusive meeting with the F1 team, attendance at the official car launch, and VIP access to two Grand Prix races. It goes beyond a mere acquisition, welcoming its new owner into the heart of the McLaren legacy.

2027 McLaren United Autosport WEC Hypercar Team LMDh

Thirty years after McLaren’s unforgettable victory at Le Mans, the marque is returning to endurance racing with a new hypercar designed for the FIA World Endurance Championship. Built in partnership with Dallara, the McLaren LMDh features a hybrid V6 twin-turbo engine and state-of-the-art aerodynamics. While full specifications remain secret, the car has already captured the attention of the motorsport world.

Scheduled to compete in the 2027 season, the LMDh will be delivered to its new owner in early 2028, complete with its full race livery and a signed driver’s suit from one of McLaren’s official racers. The winning bidder will also receive a beautifully produced history book detailing the car’s performance across the WEC season, plus an array of exclusive experiences: four VIP passes to Le Mans, two to the Monaco Grand Prix, two to the Indy 500, and access to every WEC race of 2027 (all with premium hospitality). It’s an ownership experience that goes far beyond the car itself.

2026 Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team Dallara-Chevrolet DW12

McLaren’s connection to the Indianapolis 500 stretches back more than half a century. After first competing in the 1970s and stepping away to focus on Formula 1, the marque made its celebrated return in the late 2010s. Teaming up with Arrow Schmidt-Peterson Motorsport, McLaren has since redefined American open-wheel racing, with its strongest season yet in 2025.

For the 2026 campaign, McLaren presents the Dallara-Chevrolet DW12: a sleek, powerful machine fuelled by 100% renewable energy. Like the other racecars in this year’s collection, it will be delivered to its new owner in early 2028. The buyer will also enjoy a personal tour of the new Arrow McLaren facility, dinner with team president Kevin Thimjon and 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan, and a pair of racing overalls signed by star driver Pato O’Ward. Four VIP tickets to the 2026 Indy 500 complete the package, including a ride around the iconic oval circuit.