RM Sotheby’s set a new benchmark in motorsport history with a groundbreaking sale in Abu Dhabi, where three competition-grade McLarens—each representing a pillar of the sport’s prestigious Triple Crown—captured global attention. Held on 5 December 2025, the auction delivered an electrifying moment for collectors and racing enthusiasts, uniting Formula 1, endurance racing, and Indianapolis machinery in a single offering for the very first time.
At the top of the lineup was the 2026 McLaren Formula 1 Team MCL40A, which sold for an astonishing $11,480,000. Marking the first time a future Formula 1 World Championship chassis has ever been auctioned, the sale grants its new owner unprecedented access to McLaren Racing and reaffirms the surging demand for cutting-edge contemporary racing machines. Beyond its engineering pedigree, the MCL40A represents a rare chance to become part of modern Grand Prix history before the car even hits the grid.
The momentum continued with the 2027 McLaren United AS WEC Hypercar, which achieved $7,598,750. As McLaren’s highly anticipated re-entry into elite endurance racing, the car reflects the lineage of the legendary Le Mans–winning F1 GTR and is considered one of the most significant modern-era McLarens ever offered publicly. Its presence at the auction underscored a powerful transition into the next generation of endurance competition, carrying forward a legacy that stretches from Circuit de la Sarthe to today’s hypercar battles.
Rounding out the trio was the 2026 Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team Dallara-Chevrolet DW12, which sold for $848,750. This chassis offers its new owner a direct—and nearly impossible to obtain—entry into the Indianapolis 500 program, complete with factory support and exclusive team experiences. For collectors, it represents more than ownership: it is an open invitation into one of the most storied arenas in American motorsport, where only a handful ever get to participate at such a level.
Together, these three machines formed an unprecedented auction narrative that highlighted McLaren’s unified pursuit of excellence across three pillars of global motorsport. Never before has a Formula 1 contender, a Le Mans-bound hypercar, and a factory-supported IndyCar been offered side-by-side with such cohesive intent. The result was a sale that transcended traditional collecting and redefined what modern motorsport provenance looks like in the auction world.
Adding to the evening’s historic significance, RM Sotheby’s achieved $25,317,500 for what is now the most expensive McLaren F1 ever sold at auction. The F1’s long-standing reputation as the definitive modern supercar was further cemented, proving once again that its desirability—and value—continue to soar with each new generation of collectors.
With a total offering that blended heritage, innovation, and unprecedented access to top-tier racing programs, RM Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi sale marks a watershed moment for the collector car landscape. It showcased not only McLaren’s contemporary dominance but also RM Sotheby’s unmatched ability to curate sales that push the boundaries of what an automotive auction can represent.
