To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' London event, 1 - 2 November 2024.

• An incredibly exclusive and more powerful version of the Senna GTR track day car devised by McLaren Special Operations
• One of only five GTR LM editions built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the F1 GTR’s remarkable debut victory in the 1995 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
• The sole example finished in Harrods livery, inspired by F1 GTR chassis 06R
• Gains a more powerful 833 brake horsepower, twin-turbocharged V-8 engine with the rev limit raised to 9,000 rpm
• Single ownership from new; displays 1,003 kilometres at the time of cataloguing
• Accompanied by a spare Senna GTR engine, plus wet-weather tyres and wheels

Named in honour of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Ayrton, the ‘standard’ McLaren Senna was already a rare beast since production was limited to just 500 examples. Released in 2018 and wearing a design almost entirely dictated by a desire to generate downforce, it gained a V-8 engine enhanced by a brace of turbochargers to generate 789 brake horsepower.

For those in search of an even more focused driving experience, McLaren then launched the Senna GTR. A track-only special, it gained far wilder aerodynamic devices, namely a larger rear wing, more extreme front splitter, and an enormous diffuser to produce more than 1,000 kilograms of downforce. Enhanced by an additional 25 brake horsepower to become the fastest-lapping car McLaren had built outside of Formula 1, only 75 were made. As something of a middle ground—and reviving another model designation made famous by the legendary McLaren F1—the Woking manufacturer created the LM. A road-going Senna but featuring the uprated GTR engine, 35 examples were built.

In case none of those variants were exclusive enough, then followed the Senna GTR LM. Created by the McLaren Special Operations department, here was an incredibly exclusive GTR fitted with a further upgraded motor generating some 833 brake horsepower and 800 Newton-metres of torque, while the rev limit increased by 750 to a 9,000 rpm red line in a package with a quoted dry weight of 1,188 kilograms. Only five were created in 2020, each wearing a different livery that paid homage to one of the five F1 GTRs that took part in the 1995 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (remarkably finishing 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 13th), which remains McLaren’s sole triumph in the great endurance race. Naturally, given their exclusivity, these cars were reserved for McLaren’s most prized customers.

The left-hand-drive example offered here was finished as a tribute to F1 GTR chassis 06R. Emblazoned with the distinctive yellow and green Harrods colour scheme and wearing race number 51, that car was the second McLaren to reach the chequered flag at the Circuit de la Sarthe—behind the victorious 01R ran by the Lanzante team. Entered by David Price Racing and expertly driven by Andy Wallace, Derek Bell, and Justin Bell, the British trio completed the podium in 3rd place. They might even have claimed victory had a gearbox gremlin two hours from the finish not forced Wallace to ease the car over the line.

Accordingly, this car is presented in Solar Yellow over Heritage Green, while McLaren sought special permission from the race organiser, Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), and period sponsors to authentically recreate the unmistakable livery. Indeed, this was the first time that the famous Harrods logo had been seen on a McLaren for 25 years. The design was then hand painted over the course of more than 800 hours. The only piece of vinyl to feature on the body is a replica of the scrutineering sticker from Le Mans in 1995, which is applied on the roof.

Further exterior flourishes include the five-spoke OZ Racing wheels (original supplier of the F1 GTR wheels) finished in a Matte Dark Graphite shade and optional satin carbon fibre accent panels. Meanwhile, the callipers for the carbon ceramic brakes and suspension wishbones were painted gold in a nod to the original F1 GTRs. At the back, the Senna GTR LM gained a special twin-exit pipe Inconel exhaust system exhaling below the rear wing.

For the pared-back, race car-style cockpit, driver and passenger are kept in place by FIA-specification carbon fibre bucket seats equipped with six-point harnesses while the pedals are made from titanium nitride. The steering wheel, bespoke to the LM, features anodised gold control buttons and shift paddles for the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission as an homage to the gear linkage in the F1 GTR. The satin carbon fibre sills of the Monocell III-derived monocoque also notably feature etched dedications to the cars that inspired each of the Senna GTR LMs. In the case of the example offered here, the inscription references chassis 6R from 1995 and its three drivers who raced through the night at Le Mans across 17-18 June 1995. Inside, the car also bears the autographs of Derek Bell and Bruno Senna.

Consigned to auction by its original and sole owner, this car was the only one of the five Senna GTR LMs delivered new to the United Kingdom. It was then twice exhibited at the prestigious Salon Privé held at Blenheim Palace in September 2020 and again in August 2023. Showing 1,003 kilometres from new at the time of cataloguing, the car is complemented by an additional ‘standard’ Senna GTR engine (number 40JBAH150679) only ever used on the McLaren dyno, plus a set of wet-weather wheels and tyres. Please note, road-legal conversion of the car would be possible.

When it comes to intense and unfiltered driving experiences, there are only a handful of cars in automotive history that can match the exhilarating Senna GTR LM. With just five built by McLaren Special Operations, and this example being the only one on UK soil, the sale of this homage to F1 GTR chassis 06R marks the first time that a Senna GTR LM has ever been publicly offered for sale. This is an opportunity not to be missed.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/lf24/.