McLaren Artura 1000GP celebrates milestone for British team
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the highlights of the automotive calendar, attracting the eyes of the world to the stunning setting along the French Riviera. Races have been held in the Principality since 1929, and the prestigious event is a fitting location for McLaren to celebrate its 1,000th Grand Prix start.
To mark the occasion, McLaren’s MSO (McLaren Special Operations) division has created the limited-edition 1000GP Artura. The 1000GP graphic covers the bonnet, lower body sides and wing mirror casings, while a contrasting pinstripe detail on the front splitter and rear diffuser is inspired by McLaren’s heritage liveries.
Inside, there’s a bespoke metallic papaya colour dedication plaque to mark McLaren’s achievement.
McLaren was founded in 1963 by Bruce McLaren and entered F1 in 1966. The team becomes only the second to reach the 1,000 race landmark after Ferrari achieved the same feat at Mugello in 2020.
In the six decades of operation, McLaren has secured 10 Constructors’ World Championship titles, 13 Drivers’ Championship titles, 561 podium finishes and more than 200 race wins. The first win came at the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix, while their most recent came in Sao Paolo at the end of last season, courtesy of Lando Norris. Ayrton Senna holds the record for wins by a McLaren driver with 35, ahead of Alain Prost on 30, Lewis Hamilton on 21, and Mika Hakkinen on 20.
Nick Collins, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Group Holdings: “Racing and road cars have always been shaped by the same mindset at McLaren, and the McLaren Artura 1000GP by MSO celebrates that shared foundation. It reflects the environment Bruce created - an environment built on collective ambition, engineering excellence and a unified approach to progress. Through this shared purpose, our teams continue to craft vehicles that carry his spirit forward. The McLaren Artura 1000GP by MSO is a testament to that legacy and offers our clients a meaningful connection to the MCL40 in a milestone moment.”
The Monaco Grand Prix takes place on Sunday 7 June.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: McLaren Automotive