The Sultan’s F1 Was Designed for Royalty, But McLaren's Next Move Rendered It Invaluable | Carscoops

      A forgotten royal supercar recently made headlines after an extensive $500,000 refurbishment and an unexpected appearance at an auction in Abu Dhabi.

      This rare McLaren F1 was originally delivered to the Sultan of Brunei and has undergone a rebuild by McLaren featuring the High Downforce Kit. McLaren also auctioned a future F1 car and a WEC Hypercar project.

      One of just 64 road-legal McLaren F1s ever made has changed ownership for an impressive $25,317,500, establishing a new record at the Abu Dhabi auction over the weekend. This incident further highlights the F1’s reputation as possibly the most sought-after performance vehicle in the past thirty years.

      The specific car, chassis #14, was first delivered to the Sultan of Brunei and originally painted in Titanium Yellow, complemented by a black leather and Alcantara interior.

      Unlike many of the distinctive vehicles in the Sultan's extensive collection that have remained untouched, this particular F1 avoided prolonged storage. Instead, it was exported to the UK, embarking on a more active second phase of its life.

      Eventually, the F1 found its way into the private collection of a former director of McLaren Cars. It later crossed the Atlantic, spending time in New York and California before being sold again in 2007. During that ownership, it returned to McLaren for a complete refurbishment.

      Gone is the yellow exterior; the F1 is now finished in Ibis White and equipped with the rare High Downforce Kit, featuring a fixed rear wing and components inspired by the F1 GTR and F1 LM. The interior was also upgraded to LM specification, including a new driver’s seat and more exposed carbon fiber.

      The conversion reportedly cost over $500,000 and likely contributed to the vehicle's record-breaking auction price.

      Adding to its impressive history, the car features a subtle tribute to racing greatness, as one of the side sills bears Michael Schumacher's signature from the time it was still owned by the Sultan, as evidenced by photos from that era.

      Recently, RM Sotheby’s auction in Abu Dhabi yielded other remarkable results. The McLaren Formula 1 team auctioned its 2026 F1 car, the MCL40A, for $11.48 million, with the successful bidder set to receive the car by the end of the first quarter of 2028. Additionally, the McLaren team sold an upcoming 2027 WEC Hypercar, which will be delivered after it concludes its racing career following the 2027 season, fetching $7.59 million.