At Investabrick, we love a LEGO Car challenge, but we think that even by combining all of our LEGO Technic Cars skills we could never compete with this recent amazing build! The LEGO Group and McLaren Automotive have taken on their most ambitious LEGO Technic challenge yet by creating a fully drivable, life-sized replica of the McLaren P1 using LEGO Technic elements. To make the challenge even more thrilling, McLaren F1™ driver Lando Norris was chosen to put this one-of-a-kind build to the test with a lap around the legendary Silverstone Circuit in a 1:1 scale LEGO Technic McLaren P1.
This incredible life-size model of the McLaren P1 is constructed from 342,817 LEGO Technic pieces and weighs around 1,220 kg, showcasing an impressive feat of engineering. It is the first large-scale LEGO model with fully functional steering, capable of handling the challenging corners of a racetrack. Powered by an electric motor with LEGO Technic Function batteries and an electric car battery, this creation can travel further than any previous LEGO build.
The project was brought to life by a team of 23 experts from the LEGO Group and McLaren Automotive, including designers, engineers, and builders. The build required 8,344 hours of development and construction and incorporated 393 different types of LEGO Technic elements.
With the car complete, it was time for the ultimate test drive, and who better to get behind the wheel than McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris? The British racing star expertly navigated the twists and turns of the 5.891 km (3.66 miles) Silverstone Circuit, a fitting choice given McLaren’s storied history at the home of British racing.
“Having worked on the original P1 programme for McLaren, it’s amazing to see so many of the elements from the original McLaren P1 brought to life so realistically by the LEGO Technic team for the full-scale model. The car was an icon of its time. I hope that through this collaboration with the LEGO Group, we are able to inspire the next generation of designers and engineers to push the boundaries of automotive innovation.” Ben Gulliver, Test & Development Director, McLaren Automotive.
“This project marks the latest in a long list of collaborations between the LEGO Group and McLaren, bringing together McLaren engineers and the LEGO Model Production team from conception all the way to the final build.
McLaren’s automotive and engineering expertise has been invaluable in helping us produce a model as authentic to the original McLaren P1™ as possible, allowing us to turn a dream into a reality. It was incredibly cool to see McLaren F1™ driver, Lando Norris driving the car we created.” Lukáš Horák, Senior Project Manager in Model Production, LEGO Group.
The LEGO® Technic™ McLaren P1™ set (42172) is a must-have for supercar enthusiasts and McLaren fans alike. This detailed model features a 7-speed gearbox with a dual-clutch transmission, realistic suspension, a V8 piston engine, an adjustable rear wing, and intricate dihedral doors with advanced mechanisms. Designed for ages 18 and up, this set includes 3,893 pieces. The 1:8 scale replica measures over 14 cm in height, 59 cm in length, and 25 cm in width. Each model comes with a unique serial number that unlocks exclusive behind-the-scenes content, adding an extra layer of excitement to this impressive build.
If this has whetted your appetite to buy the LEGO Technic McLaren P1, you can see what the Investabrick team thought of the set by reading our full article HERE.
The LEGO Technic McLaren P1 1:8 set is available at www.LEGO.com/McLaren and LEGO Stores priced at £389.99 / €449.99 / $449.99.
