A McLaren MCL40A race car was sold at the RM Sotheby's auction, which does not even exist yet. The buyer paid $11.48 million and will receive the built car only in 2028.
The name of the buyer has not been disclosed. He only has access to a demonstration model of the 2025 season for now. McLaren Racing promises to hand over the MCL40A itself only at the end of the first quarter of 2028: these are the production and approval times under the strict control of the FIA.
It is fundamentally impossible to start the car without a team of engineers and specialized equipment, which clearly did not become an obstacle to the purchase for the collector.
In fact, McLaren is selling the technology of the future - and the market seems ready to pay for it now.