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

TVR Cerbera (1996-2004) review – the British bargain supercar
TVR Cerbera
Reviews

TVR Cerbera (1996-2004) review – the British bargain supercar

The singular, spectacular Cerbera is a genuine supercar that’s often overlooked – and, arguably, underpriced
2 Nov 2026
BMW i3 50 review – why it's the best electric car we've driven
BMW i3
Reviews

BMW i3 50 review – why it's the best electric car we've driven

The BMW i3 name has returned, but now in a much more conventional form than before. It's quick in 50 xDrive form, and retains Munich's sophisticated d…
30 Oct 2026
The best cars we’ve ever driven – evo’s five-star cars
The best cars ever
Best cars

The best cars we’ve ever driven – evo’s five-star cars

Five-star cars are the very best cars we’ve ever tested, and sure-fire hits for all in search of the thrill of driving
29 Oct 2026