Is Gordon Murray overshadowing McLaren with a contemporary F1 model? McLaren believes not.

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      Gordon Murray surprised everyone at Pebble Beach this year with the debut of the S1 LM, a clear tribute to the original McLaren F1. It’s logical for Gordon Murray to create such a vehicle, considering he designed the F1 himself and now runs his own company that is producing a V12-powered, three-seater successor, the GMA T.50. However, one might wonder: Does McLaren, which remains in the supercar market despite recent challenges, view this as an issue? Does the Woking-based company perceive GMA as a competitor?

      According to McLaren CEO Nick Collins, who spoke to The Drive during Monterey Car Week, the answer is negative. He likens GMA’s efforts to that of Singer with the Porsche 911—honoring the past while not taking away a vital part of McLaren’s history.

      “Gordon’s a great guy,” Collins shared with us. “We’ve spent a lot of time together. We have a lot of admiration for Gordon and what his team is doing, and we appreciate their celebration of McLaren’s heritage. That illustrates the strength of our heritage.”

      Indeed, heritage plays a crucial role for supercar manufacturers. This is why brands like Lamborghini, Porsche, and Aston Martin often reference their history in nearly every new model they introduce. However, McLaren stands apart since its road car journey began much later than its rivals. The record-setting F1 was its debut vehicle in 1992, and should McLaren wish to tap into that legacy, it will inevitably be compared to the achievements of GMA in recent years.

      Collins does not view this as a drawback, stating, “I think some heritage resonates with certain groups of people, while for younger consumers in different regions, it may not hold much significance. The [Lamborghini] Countach has meaning for those of us who grew up with it as a poster on our walls. It might not have the same impact on someone in their twenties in China today, right? So, I’m not troubled by that at all.”

      Only five units of the S1 LM will be produced by Gordon Murray Special Vehicles, and all will go to one client.

      In other words, the F1 represents a pivotal moment for McLaren, akin to the Concorde, and Gordon Murray Automotive is evidently building upon that legacy with models like the T.33, T.50, and now, the S1 LM. However, Collins emphasizes that McLaren does not need to revisit the F1 to establish a new technological benchmark in the supercar segment.

      “What was the F1 when it launched? It was the zenith of technology at that time. What was the P1 upon its release? It was the peak of technology when it arrived. What can we expect from the W1? It will also represent the forefront of technology upon its launch. Each car sets a new standard.”

      The W1, by the way, is McLaren’s upcoming flagship model that boasts 1,275 horsepower. While it doesn't reach the F1’s top speed of 241 miles per hour—limited to 217 mph—it accelerates significantly faster due to its hybrid system. The new model also features advanced active aerodynamics and one of the most aggressive rear diffusers ever seen in a road car, generating up to 2,205 pounds of downforce. It certainly has impressive specifications.

      “Why do people continue to love the F1? For good reasons; it was and remains the fastest road car with a naturally aspirated engine, and it redefined what it meant to be a hypercar or a sports car,” Collins continued. “The P1 achieved the same impact, and the W1 will follow suit. So our heritage is unquestionably ours and belongs to no one else. Our heritage shapes our future. Our focus is on creating that future and advancing towards it.”

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