2011 MCLAREN MP4-26 FORMULA 1 SHOW CAR

Driven by two of Great Britain’s most famous World Champions, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, and designed by Technical Director, Paddy Lowe, the MP4-26 was McLaren’s entry to the 2011 F1 World Championship.

It was most notable for its unique ‘L’ shaped side-pod arrangement that was designed to clean up and better direct the airflow to the beam wing at the rear of the car, at the time more important than ever thanks to the ban on double diffusers.

The car had its debut at the 2011 Australian Grand Prix and went on to compete in 19 races with six race wins (China, Germany and Abu Dhabi for Hamilton; and Canada, Hungary and Japan for Button), plus 18 podiums, one pole and six fastest laps, securing McLaren 2nd place in the World Constructors’ Championship and Jenson Button 2nd place in the Driver Standings.

This remarkable full-size display piece is an eye-catching static replica of the MP4-26 that was commissioned by McLaren for use in various display and promotional activities around the globe during that season. It is accurate in every detail and without pushing it (to discover its light weight!) is almost indistinguishable to the real car, and a fascinating study of the extreme and fast development approaches taken by the teams to achieve aerodynamic efficiency in this era.

Wearing show car number ‘SSC159’, it comes wearing its period-correct Vodafone livery, along with Lewis Hamilton’s name on the engine intake and the Lucozade emblem on the rear wing, which replaced the Johnnie Walker logo prior to the 2011 Singapore Grand Prix. It is also fitted with a set of Enkei wheels and genuine Pirelli P Zero Compound 3 tyres, which feature the car’s identification number on the sidewalls.

Inside, it has a carbon-fibre replica steering wheel, complete with the shift lights and in-race switchgear you would expect. The four-point Schroth harnesses feature the Hugo Boss logo, while the car’s identification number can also be seen on a small plaque inside the carbon-fibre monocoque tub.

A genuine McLaren-commissioned replica built off the original design drawings for the car and using many components from the race program; it presents in superb condition, with some minor surface marks on the tyres and nicks around the red wheel centre-lock covers.

The car is accompanied by a framed certificate of authenticity signed by Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing.

An accurate, full-size replica based on McLaren’s 2011 Formula One racer driven by two of Great Britain’s most famous World Champions and in one of the most iconic liveries; this rare and authentic McLaren MP4-26 display car would make a stunning show piece in any environment.

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