January 23, 2019

Grand prix racing meets the age of advanced technology

  • 500 km/h inductively charged, electric racing machines
  • On-board advanced AI co-pilot
  • Shapeshifting active aerodynamics
  • Thrilling circuits, fierce banking
  • Strategy support via esports pathfinders
  • Inspired by comprehensive fan research

McLaren Applied Technologies sets out the ultimate vision for grand prix racing three decades from now. The year is 2050, the Formula 1 World Championship is celebrating its centenary, and technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), autonomy, electrification and mixed reality will have become commonplace in society.

Our pursuit of the possible started with an extensive research process into the needs and wants of the sport’s most important stakeholders – the fans – and called upon our experts in powertrain, aerodynamics, design, materials technology, data science and human performance to create a blueprint for grand prix racing.

Fast, predatory and instinctive

As with most research projects, we needed a model to work with. The car is not an end unto itself – but it does inform everything around it.

Introducing our vision of the future, codenamed MCLExtreme (or MCLE for short)...

So, does it fly?

No.

Staying true to the sport’s mission to be road relevant, we don't expect race cars to fly by 2050. Flying road cars equals more aerial congestion, more noise pollution and probably more accidents. If you think drone sightings at airports cause widescale disruption, well... you know the rest. With the emergence of high-speed underground transportation portals, such as Virgin Hyperloop One, building underground networks that shift large volumes of traffic in less time is more probable.

This is in keeping with the desires of the fans we spoke to, who believe flying race cars are the antithesis of grand prix racing.

https://www.mclaren.com/appliedtechnologies/lab/future-grand-prix/

Contact

McLaren Group Limited

McLaren Technology Centre

Chertsey Road, Woking, Surrey, GU21 4YH [email protected]

For media queries: Daniel Golding

Global Head of Corporate Communications [email protected]