2025 marks a significant milestone for McLaren Automotive at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, even as it prepares to return to the race’s top Hypercar class from 2027: it has now been 30 years since the renowned F1 GTR won 1995’s race outright, completing the British supercar manufacturer’s Triple Crown haul of motorsport wins including the Monaco Grand Prix & Indianapolis 500, a unique achievement among thoroughbred race teams.
On June 18 of that year, McLaren’s F1 GTR chassis #01R, wearing the #59 Ueno Clinic livery & jointly run by Lanzante Motorsport, won the 24 hour race in gruelingly wet conditions. This was thanks largely to JJ Lehto’s storming charge up the field through the rainy night, running over 30 seconds a lap quicker than his competitors at times; while Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekiya also shared driving duties.
Three other F1 GTRs joined it to finish successfully in the top five overall standings, including the famous Harrods Mach One Racing chassis #06R that led right up to the final 2 hours when transmission issues forced it to pit. This truly cemented the F1’s place in automotive history by being the final true road car to win overall at Le Mans, beating even the faster prototype race cars & proving its prodigious performance capabilities beyond a shadow of doubt. Just days ahead of the 30th anniversary, a pair of McLaren 750S GT3 EVOs will now compete for LMGT3 class honours at this year’s edition of the La Sarthe endurance classic.
Following on from the earlier 650S Le Mans & 720S Le Mans editions, McLaren Automotive has also announced a 50-car limited production run of 750S Le Mans special editions to mark this historic 30th anniversary. It pays homage to the iconic F1 GTR #01R with matching Le Mans Grey (or alternatively McLaren Orange) exterior paintwork, an MSO Carbon Fibre roof scoop, and 5-spoke Stealth finished LM wheels with Le Mans branding.
McLaren Automotive’s Chief Commercial Officer Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer said, “The 750S Le Mans marks not just 30 years since our debut victory in the iconic race but an exciting time for the brand with McLaren GT3 EVO cars competing in this year’s race and the announcement of our return to the top, Hypercar class in 2027. This exclusive 750S is the first McLaren Le Mans edition since the F1 LM to feature HDK aerodynamic enhancements and is set to become one of our most sought-after supercars, with previous Le Mans editions of the 650S and 720S commanding a premium over standard models.”
Unique to this car, the new MSO High Downforce Kit (HDK) also endows it with greater aerodynamic prowess and added visual drama. Downforce is increased by 10 percent thanks to a larger carbon fibre splitter and raised carbon fibre Active Rear Spoiler with integrated endplates, echoing the famously iconic McLaren F1 LM’s aerodynamic enhancements and further improving the 750S’ already impressive dynamic performance. The HDK package is rounded out by a new carbon fibre under-wing panel in body colour with gloss black louvres, specially painted F1 Gold brake calipers with red McLaren logos, and a Natural Titanium exhaust finisher.
Interior colour combinations will comprise a choice of Carbon Black with Dove Grey or Carbon Black with McLaren Orange, with Le Mans branding throughout along with a bespoke dedication plaque. Those who find the Senna-derived Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats a tad too hardcore may also specify the P1’s still rather excellent Carbon Fibre bucket seats instead. As a further option, another track record plaque can be mounted within the front luggage compartment, listing the 1995 Le Mans victory & Triple Crown achievements along with McLaren’s many other significant successes in motorsports.
