With only 375 examples built, plus a handful of additional prototypes, the McLaren P1 is a rare breed. As a result, any example put up for sale is an opportunity to be squandered, but the newest one won is an especially special car. .
An example prototype, internally called P1 VP3 (Validation Prototype 3), is for sale, and the car’s first and current owner is two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Häkkinen. The Finn won his titles in 1998 and 1999, either at the wheel of McLaren.
Häkkinen’s P1 will be auctioned through Bonhams at its Monaco sale on May 10 and, as a bonus, will offer a one-day driving course to the winning bidder as part of the sale, at the location selected by the bidder.
The estimate is between $1. 2 million and $1. 5 million.
McLaren P1 VP3 (Validation Prototype 3) owned by Mika Häkkinen – Photo credit: Bonhams
According to the list, McLaren built seven so-called validation prototypes, and Häkkinen’s car, used to test durability, is the only one to have been auctioned so far. McLaren has created a booklet for each prototype, detailing the verification notes and other data collected from the progression phase, and this booklet is included in the sale.
Häkkinen no longer drives for McLaren, but is a brand ambassador. P1 is his first road-going McLaren. The black colour scheme with orange accents in McLaren’s iconic papaya shade was selected through Häkkinen and implemented through McLaren’s MSO department.
There is no mention of how many miles he has traveled.
The P1, introduced early last decade as one of three electrified hypercars alongside the Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder, makes 903 horsepower with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a 3. 8-liter twin-turbo V8 with a single electric motor. A successor with a similar propulsion system and, in all likelihood, gullwing doors is expected to be unveiled later this year.