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Fernando Alonso to race in the 24 Hours of Daytona

MEXICO CITY — McLaren Formula One driver Fernando Alonso will compete in next January's 24 Hours of Daytona as preparation for an eventual race at Le Mans. The United Autosports team owned by McLaren executive director Zak Brown announced the move on Thursday. Alonso, a double Formula One world champion who is competing in this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix, made a big impression last May when he entered the Indianapolis 500 and led for 27 laps. He has set his sights on becoming only the second driver, after Briton Graham Hill, to win motorsport's Triple Crown. That entails winning the Formula One title, or Monaco Grand Prix according to other interpretations, as well as Indianapolis and Le Mans. Alonso, 36, has won Monaco as well as his 2004 and 2005 world titles. He recently signed a contract extension keeping him at McLaren in 2018. "The Daytona 24 Hours is the most iconic U.S. endurance race and one of the world's great races. Everyone knows it," said the Spaniard. "It's not part of the Triple Crown but, as I have always said, my aim is to be a complete driver and this experience will help me in the preparation for any other endurance race I might take part in. "I am excited to go back and race in America," he added. "After the great time I had during the month of May for the Indy 500, I am looking forward to taking part in another legendary race that will bring back all those amazing sensations that US fans gave me." Daytona comes before the start of Formula One's pre-season testing when drivers are mostly working on physical preparation for the year ahead. Le Mans, on June 16-17, does not clash with any grand prix — unlike Indianapolis, which is on the same weekend as the showcase Monaco race. Alonso will partner British teenagers Lando Norris, the McLaren development driver tipped to take a reserve role next season, and Phil Hanson. Daytona, in Florida, will be the first time the Spaniard has raced a prototype sports car. Reporting by Alan BaldwinRelated Video: Image Credit: Getty Motorsports McLaren Racing Vehicles US

McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray creates his own car company

Famed automotive designer Gordon Murray has announced he's launching a new vehicle manufacturing company that will focus on taking innovative car designs into limited-run production. Gordon Murray Automotive says its first car will be a flagship model launched under a new brand that it says will go against the trend toward more complicated, heavier-weight vehicles. Murray is the South African-born automotive engineer and designer of the McLaren F1 who more recently was working on the T.27, a tiny electric city three-seater. The new company is positioned as part of a corporate organization and a sister company to Gordon Murray Design. "The new manufacturing business significantly expands the capabilities of our group of companies," Murray said. "With our first new car, we will demonstrate a return to the design and engineering principles that have made the McLaren F1 such an icon." Murray said its cars will be built on a new version of its highly efficient iStream manufacturing process, which derives heavily from Formula One construction and materials technologies to make low-weight vehicles that require less energy and less factory space to produce. It describes the process thusly: "An iStream chassis is essentially a hybrid structure consisting of a metallic frame (iFrame) and composite sandwich panels (iPanels). The basic concept is to use the iFrame to form a basic skeleton to locate all the local attachment points such as powertrain, steering, suspension and occupant seats etc. The iFrame alone does not meet the performance demands of a modern car, so we then stabilise the iFrame by bonding the highly rigid (iPanels) onto the metallic members so they then act as very stiff shear panels." The process was used on the TVR sports car, which Murray's firm said was as much as 300 kilograms (660 pounds) lighter than others in its class: Murray designed F1 cars that won more than 50 grands prix. Like Lotus, he is obsessed with weight reduction, and has recently worked on small-car projects like the Yamaha Sports Ride Concept. Autocar says Murray aims to keep the cost of his new vehicles low through use of the iStream process, and has said his ideal supercar would weigh less than 2,000 pounds. Whether that's the flagship he speaks of remains to be seen.

F1's Fernando Alonso staying at McLaren in 2018

AUSTIN, Texas — Double world champion Fernando Alonso will stay with McLaren in 2018, the team said on Thursday in a long-expected announcement that finally ended one of the sagas of the Formula One season. McLaren did not say whether the new contract extended beyond next year. The Spaniard has endured a miserable three years with the British-based former world champions and had refused to commit to staying until he felt they could provide him with a competitive car. McLaren have gone some way towards answering those doubts by ending a troubled partnership with Honda and switching to Renault engines in 2018. "It's fantastic to be able to continue my relationship with everybody at McLaren. It was always where my heart was telling me to stay, and I really feel at home here," the Spaniard said in a team statement at the U.S. Grand Prix. "McLaren has the technical resource and financial strength to be able to very quickly win races and world championships in F1," added the 36-year-old, who won his two championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006. "Although the last few years have not been easy, we have never forgotten how to win, and I believe we can achieve that again soon." Alonso has not been on the podium since 2014, when he was with Ferrari. His last win was in Spain in 2013, again with the Italian team. McLaren is currently ninth overall, out of 10 teams, and the season ranks as the worst of Alonso's career with the exception of his debut year with now-defunct tail-enders Minardi. He has six retirements in 16 races so far in 2017, and failed to start in Russia while also missing Monaco to compete at the Indianapolis 500 in May. The Spaniard has scored points only twice. McLaren executive director Zak Brown said continuing with Alonso, as team mate to Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne, had always been the obvious thing to do. "His commitment will allow us to further improve the attractiveness and potential of the wider Group, and will ensure we head into 2018 feeling increasingly confident that we'll be able to take a meaningful step forward," he said. "Fernando fully understands and buys in to the direction we are taking. "Our shareholders have ambitious plans for the whole Group, and success within Formula One is a central pillar of that strategy. With Fernando, there is no doubt that we have a driver who can help us achieve our goal of winning again in F1." Reporting by Alan BaldwinRelated Video:

McLaren confirms Ultimate Series supercar with exhaust teaser shot

Late last year, McLaren announced a supercar project with a center seating arrangement, which it called the "Bespoke Project 23" — a suitably obscure codename for a British prototype. After all, this is the country whose atomic bomb project in WWII was codenamed "Tube Alloys," so there's a penchant for understatement and obscurity. But now McLaren has announced another car will join the Ultimate Series line, before BP23, and we hear its code name is P15. We even have an official photo, showing triple tailpipes surrounded by a similarly-shaped surround made of what looks to be aluminum, possibly titanium. It's obviously nestled in the rear of the P15, since side-pipes wouldn't look like this. Otherwise, there's not much to glean from it. It's nice to know, however, that the BP23 won't be alone at the top of McLaren's range. We'll be watching for updates on the P15 (and the BP23) and bring you whatever we find. Hopefully that'll include better names, the sooner the better. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. McLaren Coupe Future Vehicles Performance Supercars mclaren bp23

This never-registered 1997 McLaren F1 is for sale, if you have the cash

As many of you readers may know, when it comes to Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars, they're always worth more over time if they remain in their protective packaging – especially rare or unusual models. Clearly the person that ordered this 1997 McLaren F1 had that mindset, and we wouldn't be surprised if the same principle will apply to this car. This 1997 McLaren F1, previously reported on by Autoweek and being sold by U.K. dealer Tom Hartley Jnr, is remarkable because it has just 148 miles on the odometer, which the dealer claims is the lowest of any F1 in the world. Apparently the owner didn't even register the car for driving on the road. Not only that, but the car is basically in the condition it was in when it left from the factory. Everything on it is well-preserved because nothing has really been used, and everything is still carefully wrapped up in its protective packaging. The dashboard, floors and seats are all lovingly (obsessively?) taped up in foam and plastic. The floor mats are still in their plastic wrap, never having been used. The same goes for the car's fitted luggage and specially ordered F1 LM-style exhaust and F1 GTR-style suede removable steering wheel. Of course other trinkets remain with the car, too, but have since lost their protective trappings. The car comes with the matching Tag Heuer watch with the car's serial number on it, the complete tool cabinet, on-board tool roll and build book. The car was built for a buyer in Japan. Amusingly, this car is listed as a "right-hand drive" model for that market, which is irrelevant considering the car's center driver's seat. One other custom touch to the car besides the exhaust and steering wheel is the carbon fiber seat with yellow center accents. Tom Hartley Jnr does not have a price listed for this F1. We're willing to bet that the dealer will be expecting some extraordinary offers, though. Recently, the first McLaren F1 imported to the U.S. went for the whopping cost of over $15 million. That car was likely boosted by provenance and the inclusion of unique U.S. homologation parts, but it also had seen plenty of use with an odometer that had clicked over 9,600 miles. Though this yellow model doesn't have special history like that one, the fact that it's effectively a new car as delivered from the factory should make it extremely valuable. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

McLaren MSO R Coupe and Spider are one customer's perfect supercar twins

With enough money, you can usually get a supercar manufacturer to build just about anything. McLaren Special Operations is a division of the British automaker set up just to work with customers on bespoke products. Today, McLaren announced that one customer is about to take home a nearly identical pair of cars completely tailored to his tastes. They're called the MSO R Coupe and MSO R Spider. The pair appear to be based on the McLaren 675LT and 675LT Spider, respectively. Both cars are powered by McLaren M838TL 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8. In these cars, the engine makes 679 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. McLaren says both engines have been blueprinted and the heads and exhaust ports hand polished. The exhaust features a crossover muffler to optimize exhaust flow. The ends of the system are titanium. The most notable change to the car's styling is the addition of a number of aerodynamic devices, including a large twin-element rear wing. The cars also have front dive planes and louvered fenders to optimize airflow. The front bumper, hood, louvered fenders, roof scoop, rear deck, and side mirror arms and casings are all made of carbon fiber. A carbon fiber stripe runs down the center of the cars. Both cars are painted in the same shade of silver, though the coupe is done in a matte finish. There are red accents along the bottom and on the rear-wing endplates. Likewise, the interior is a mix of carbon and red trim. Most of the dash is covered in black Alcantara with contrasting red stitching. Most of the trim is exposed carbon fiber. The fixed-back seats are covered in a bright red shade of Alcantara. There are some bespoke touches on the instrument cluster that show the MSO R logo, along with a plaque in the door of each car. There's no word on who purchased the car or where he might live, but the car is left-hand drive. That suggests the car isn't likely to stay close to McLaren's home base in Woking. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery McLaren MSO R View 14 Photos News Source: McLaren McLaren Convertible Coupe Performance Supercars mclaren 675lt

McLaren uses 720S prototype to test three-seat layout of BP23

McLaren is continuing development of the BP23 hypercar and today released new images highlighting its work on the three-seat interior. The company is testing the layout on a mule based on the 720S, as McLaren refines the interior configuration. McLaren says it is also considering digital mirror technology for the cabin. As expected, the company confirmed the BP23 will be the fastest McLaren ever. A spokesperson wouldn't provide specifics but said the claim will not be based on lap times. Information about the BP23 has been filtering out this year. BP23 is a codename, with 2 meaning it's McLaren Special Operations' second "bespoke project" and 3 meaning that it will seat three. The hypercar will have a hybrid powertrain, and it is the successor to the legendary F1. McLaren will build 106 BP23s (or whatever its final name ends up being), though it has received demand for three times that many. That's also the number of F1s that were built from 1992 to 1998. We expect BP23 production to start in 2019, and the car will cost around $2.5 million. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery McLaren BP23 Image Credit: McLaren Green McLaren Coupe Future Vehicles Hybrid Luxury Performance mclaren 720s mclaren bp23

Is this a new McLaren racecar?

McLaren has something interesting in the works, and our eagle-eyed spy shooter caught a camo-clad prototype in testing as evidence. This intense McLaren is based on the 675LT, and looks to be a racecar prototype, but it could be a test mule for something entirely different. The huge wing in the back is visually dramatic, and suggests this car is built to race, as do the large air intakes and roof scoop, but that could just be a distraction. Our spy points out the "MV715-23" on the top of the windshield. BP23 is McLaren's code name for the rumored three-seat "hyper-GT" car that will serve as an homage to the F1, due in 2019 (and already sold out). This car, though, has a two-seat layout, but who knows what sort of powertrain is hiding underneath that body. We think the racecar theory has some credibility, because ... well, just look at it. Got your own ideas? Share 'em in the comments below. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery McLaren 675 LT prototype mule or racecar View 13 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Spy Photos McLaren Racing Vehicles Performance Supercars mclaren p1 mclaren 675lt test mule mclaren bp23

McLaren Ultimate Vision GT | 1,134-hp hybrid with a crazy driving position

As with Gran Turismo 6, Gran Turismo Sport will feature special Vision GT cars, which are concepts designed by real car manufacturers for use in the video-game series. These cars imagine what a company might produce far into the future, as far as 2030 or later in the case of the car McLaren has just revealed as its contribution. It's called the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo, and it's a thoroughly wild hybrid. Starting with performance, the McLaren retains a certain amount of gasoline propulsion thanks to a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. This engine powers the rear wheels, while the fronts are powered by individual electric motors. The combined output is 1,134 horsepower and 940 pound-feet of torque. While there are some hypercars with greater output right now, those numbers become more impressive when you realize this virtual McLaren weighs a little more than 2,200 pounds, less than a current Mazda Miata. The light weight should also make the inboard carbon ceramic brakes highly effective, too. The light weight comes from a body and chassis created using a considerable amount of carbon fiber. That body has unique active aerodynamics that rely on opening and closing holes near air inlets to adjust drag and downforce. According to McLaren, this method is simpler and lighter than mechanical flaps for the same purpose. Aside from the remarkable performance numbers, the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo also has a remarkable cockpit. It has a large glass area for good visibility, but the party piece is the prone seating position that McLaren calls "motorcycle-like." It probably is a cool way to drive, though we do wonder how comfortable that position would be for a length of time. Interestingly, the McLaren isn't the first to imagine a Vision GT car with this sort of seating. The Chevrolet Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo did something similar. Much more of that car was outlandish though, since it was supposedly propelled by lasers. No, really, lasers. That's what Chevy said. Don't expect to see the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo on the road anytime soon, but you can get behind the wheel virtually very soon. It will be featured in Gran Turismo Sport for PlayStation 4, which goes on sale October 17. The car will also join another special sports car, the Fittipaldi EF7, designed by Pininfarina and racing legend Emerson Fittipaldi. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences.

McLaren teases 6 bespoke versions of its 570GT

McLaren fans, have a look at this: The luxury brand says it's offering six bespoke 570GT models from its McLaren Special Operations division to select buyers in the U.K., Germany and the Netherlands. The models, finished in "XP Green" exterior paint, are inspired by traditional British automotive colors and a Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 XP GT. The exterior paint scheme is the same color as the F1 XP GT "Longtail" model built in 1997. It also gets Saddle Tan aero pin striping on the front aero blades, side skirts and rear diffuser, plus door striping in the same color that extends to the rear from a subtle Union Jack emblem finished in silver-grey. Under the hood, the sports car boasts a 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged McLaren V8 that delivers 562 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, same as the 570GT Coupe. It goes 0-60 in 3.3 seconds. The F1 XP GT won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 on its first attempt. McLaren later developed the Longtail version, marked by its extended rear bodywork and deep bottle-green paint finis, now reserved for bespoke commissions. The company says the MSO content in each coupe is identical and adds 21,000 pounds (U.S. $26,000) to the final price of the vehicle, which will range depending on options chosen. For example, one package that includes a By McLaren Designer interior and an upgrade pack, including vehicle lift, rear view camera and premium audio system, brings the price tag to the equivalent of $225,373. Upset you missed out on this offering? Don't be. The company says it's responsive to demands for more personalization and additional color and trim choices. "As well as making it possible for individual McLaren owners to have exactly the McLaren they want, McLaren Special Operations will continue to create limited-volume collections such as these six 570GT models in XP Green, to further extend customer choice," said Jolyon Nash, McLaren Automotive Executive Director, Global Sales and Marketing.