Someone Please Drive This Ultra-Low Mileage McLaren F1

The McLaren F1 really is the stuff of legend, and that’s reflected in its values these days: in the rare event of one appearing on the market, there’s very little chance of it going for anything below £10 million.

Even among rocketing values for all the other iconic late 20th century supercars, the F1 is on another level, so it’s understandable that those fortunate enough to own one might be a bit hesitant to actually drive them. Even Gordon Murray, the very man responsible for the car and someone known for making the most of the cars he owns, sold his personal F1 a few years ago, its soaring value putting him off driving it.

Even so, it’s a little surprising to see one appear for sale that, on average, has covered less than 10 miles a year in its life. Since being delivered new in 1995, it’s racked up a grand total of 255 miles. Well, 254.7 if we’re being pedantic.

That tiny figure has been accrued by three previous owners. The car was first delivered to Japan, where it remained until it was acquired by a specialist dealer in 2012. Since then, it’s been with two owners in the US. In 2021, with around 241 miles on the clock, it fetched just under £15 million at auction. It’s covered less than 14 miles in the three years since, and now it’s up for sale again through Sotheby’s Sealed online platform.

One of 56 ‘standard’ F1 road cars, it’s the only one to be finished in Creighton Brown (which looks closer to purple to our eyes), and has a Light Tan and Brazilian Brown interior. It also comes with various desirable factory accessories: F1-branded fitted luggage, a tool chest and tool roll, and the TAG Heuer chronograph watch that buyers could order with their car’s chassis number printed on the dial.

There’s no estimate given with the auction, but considering it’s barely moved since its last sale in 2021, and F1 values are only heading in one direction, an absolute minimum of £15 million seems to be a safe bet. We doubt its new owner will rack up 41,000 miles, Rowan Atkinson-style, but we sincerely hope it’ll go to someone who might exercise that howling 6.1-litre V12 every now and then. That’s what the F1’s all about, after all.