2024 saw RM Sotheby’s make its UAE debut with a highly anticipated auction event at Al Serkal Avenue, Dubai’s contemporary arts hub. The event featured supercars, hypercars and rare classics including a Ferrari Enzo, McLaren Speedtail, and Porsche Carrera GT, and was such a success that it revisited the city in December at the esteemed Emirates Golf Club. This second auction featured multiple record-breaking acquisitions, with a rare Aston Martin Valkyrie selling to a longstanding client of Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty — a sale that connected the realms of luxury automotives and super prime real estate.
In 2025, Abu Dhabi is prepared to claim its moment in the spotlight after the car auction house’s successful runs in Dubai. RM Sotheby’s brings its prestigious sale to the capital’s golden shores, trading green fairways of Dubai’s golf courses for the cultural pulse of Saadiyat Island. Here, amidst museums and galleries, the event concludes the inaugural Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week — an event marked by dialogues and exhibitions focused on the enduring art of collecting.
For its inaugural Abu Dhabi sale, RM Sotheby’s lineup presents a limited collection of exquisite lots, with an iconic 90s McLaren model taking centre stage. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, RM Sotheby’s has teamed up with McLaren to offer collectors a truly extraordinary chance to own three unreleased, never-before-driven vehicles. Each car embodies the very spirit of McLaren’s trendsetting engineering prowess and a turning point in the marque’s legacy. Below, we explore the exceptional vehicles that will headline this landmark auction.
1994 McLaren F1
The story behind this lot is that of automotive serendipity. When venerated F1 designer Gordon Murray and his team set out to incorporate racing engineering into a road car during the 90s, their goal was to create just that — a supercar for the road that would revolutionise the everyday driving experience. Their masterplans led to the birth of a vehicle that found its place in racing legend as a modified GTR version. Making a spectacular entrance at the 1995 edition of 24 Hours of Le Mans, this modified McLaren immediately stamped its authority on the track, taking first place and contributing to a near-sweep of the top five spots, narrowly missing 2nd place. Under the hood, a naturally aspirated 6,064-cc BMW V12 roared to life in a gold-lined engine bay, while the streamlined three-seat cockpit aided the car in hitting 391 km/h. Its top speed was a thrilling side effect of Murray’s relentless pursuit of performance and innovation.
A mere 64 versions of the road-specific version were built, and Chassis 014 was exclusively commissioned for the Royal Family of Brunei in a breathtaking Titanium Yellow with black leather interiors, only to subsequently be purchased by former McLaren director David Clark and then by a repeat F1 owner from the US. In 2006, a devoted collector acquired Chassis 014 and returned it to McLaren’s headquarters for a comprehensive transformation. The car emerged with a striking Ibis White finish, replacing its original yellow, with the interiors upgraded to LM specification, reflecting the marque’s racing heritage. Notably, it became the final F1 of just eight to receive the coveted High-Downforce Kit. The upgrades also introduced new headlights, a racecar-style driver’s seat, and expanded carbon-fibre detailing, blending artistry with engineering. The meticulous overhaul, documented through an extensive photographic record, exceeded $500,000.
One of Chassis 014’s most remarkable features is Michael Schumacher signing the car in 1996, just two days after the Australian Grand Prix. After its repaint, it came to bear the autograph of Sir Lewis Hamilton — signed during his rookie season — linking the vehicle to one of Formula 1’s greatest icons.
Following its meticulous rebuild, the car spent much of the next decade on roads across the United States, becoming a North American icon. Paired with its royal provenance, envious performance specs, and ties to a golden era of McLaren, Chassis 014 is more than a collector car. It is set to steal the spotlight of any distinguished collection.
2026 McLaren Formula 1 Team MCL40A
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2026 will deliver a new wave of F1 cars with major upgrades and fresh specs aligned with new regulations — 20cm shorter, 10cm narrower and 30kg lighter. Additionally, new systems will be implemented for generating more downforce, and the already advanced power units will be made fully sustainable.
McLaren has observed a standout 2025 season, momentum it is adamant to maintain despite regulatory changes. The MCL40A is poised to be the centrepiece, set to carry the marque’s automotive ambitions into the next year. Engineered to the highest and all necessary specifications, it is propelled by a hybrid unit from Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, blending cutting-edge technology with McLaren’s racing DNA. While the car’s official unveiling is scheduled for early 2026, one lucky bidder will have the extraordinary opportunity to take ownership ahead of its debut.
To safeguard McLaren’s engineering brilliance and keep it secret in the highly competitive industry, the winning bidder from the December auction will be delivered a non-working show model. The actual car - raced by either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri during the season - will only be handed over in early 2028.
The sale also opens the door for the new owner to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, and a meeting with the F1 Racing team, all before the season begins. They will also get to attend the car’s official launch and experience two races among other once-in-a-lifetime collector experiences.
2027 McLaren United Autosport WEC Hypercar Team LMDh
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Thirty years ago, McLaren delivered a legendary win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans — a moment etched in history and led by the race edition of the top car on our list. As the 2027 season approaches, McLaren prepares to enter the LMDh hypercar into the FIA World Endurance Championship, an elite series spanning eight of the world’s most demanding endurance races, including Le Mans itself. The vehicle presents a Dallara chassis and is powered by a hybrid V6 twin-turbo engine. Finer technical details remain confidential, preserving the mystique surrounding its long-awaited debut.
Like the MCL40A, the LMDh will also be delivered to its new owner in early 2028, complete with its official season livery. The collector will receive a bespoke book chronicling the car’s track history and an autographed racing suit worn by one of McLaren’s 2027 drivers. Adding to the experience is a private tour of the McLaren Technology Centre, four VIP access to Le Mans, and two tickets to the Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500, and finally two tickets to every 2027 WEC race — all complemented by top-notch hospitality.
2026 Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team Dallara-Chevrolet DW12
McLaren began its journey at the Indy 500 stretching back to 1970, and after a decade of making its mark on the “Brickyard,” shifted its focus to Formula 1 glory. Nearly half a century later, in the late 2010s, McLaren made a triumphant return to Indy, partnering with Arrow Schmidt-Peterson Motorsport to create the formidable Arrow McLaren team — a union that delivered its strongest performance yet in 2025.
For the upcoming 2026 season, McLaren readies a new contender: a Dallara-engineered chassis powered by a Chevrolet engine running on 100% renewable fuel, signalling a new era of performance and sustainability. Like its peers, this car will be delivered to its new owner in early 2028. The winning bidder will enjoy four VIP passes to the Indy 500, including a lap around the iconic speedway, a private tour of the all-new Arrow McLaren facility, and dinner with team president Kevin Thimjon and 2013 Indy 500 champion Tony Kanaan. Completing the package is an autographed race suit worn by 2025 runner-up Pato O’Ward.
