Lando Norris has shown that Formula 1 could have a McLaren made out of Lego

Group Lego And Mclaren Automotive has taken on the ultimate LEGO Technic challenge by recreating a one-of-a-kind, fully drivable McLaren P1 built using LEGO Technic elements. And if that wasn’t enough, the McLaren F1 driver, Lando Norrisprepared for the final test by taking a lap of Britain’s iconic Silverstone circuit.

This life-size replica of the McLaren P1 is made from 342,817 LEGO Technic elements, weighs in at around 1,220 kg and features some truly remarkable engineering displays. The car has fully functional steering, making it the first large LEGO build capable of steering the car and navigating the challenging corners of a race track. The build uses an electric motor made up of LEGO Technic Function batteries and an electric car battery, allowing it to travel further than any previous LEGO model.

The extensive build process was carried out with the help of 23 design, engineering and construction specialists from the LEGO Group and McLaren Automotive. It took 8,344 hours to design and build, and required 393 different types of LEGO Technic elements.

With the car assembled, all that was left was to take on the ultimate test, and it was a replica of a McLaren supercar, and who better to get behind the wheel than McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris. The British driver was more than up to the task, taking on the twists and turns of the 5.891km (3.66 miles) track and lapping the Silverstone circuit. Given the enormity of the task, Silverstone was the perfect location given McLaren’s rich history as the home of British racing.

“Having worked on the original P1 programme for McLaren, it’s incredible to see so many elements of the original McLaren P1 brought to life so realistically by the LEGO Technic team for the full-scale model. The car was an icon of its time. “I hope that through this collaboration with the LEGO Group we can inspire a new generation of designers and engineers to push the boundaries of automotive innovation,” he said. Ben Gulliver, Director of Testing and Development, McLaren Automotive.

“This project is the latest in a long line of collaborations between the LEGO Group and McLaren, bringing together McLaren engineers and the LEGO model making team from concept to final construction. McLaren’s automotive and engineering expertise has been invaluable in helping us create the most authentic model of the original McLaren P1 possible, allowing us to turn a dream into a reality. “It was fantastic to see McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris behind the wheel of the car we created,” he commented. Lukasz Horak, Senior Model Project Manager, LEGO Group.

The LEGO Technic McLaren P1 1:8 set is available from www.LEGO.com/McLaren and LEGO stores for £389.99 / €449.99 / $449.99.