LEGO & McLaren create drivable life-size LEGO Technic McLaren P1

In what is being hailed as the most challenging LEGO Technic build to date, the collaboration resulted in a one-of-a-kind 1:1 scale replica of McLaren's renowned supercar. To top it off, McLaren Formula 1 driver Lando Norris was tasked with taking the car for a spin around the iconic Silverstone Circuit.

This extraordinary feat of engineering required 342,817 LEGO Technic elements, with the finished model weighing in at approximately 1,220kg. The car isn’t just a static display piece – it boasts fully functional steering, making it the first LEGO big build capable of tackling racetrack corners. Powered by an electric motor made from LEGO Technic Function batteries and an electric car battery, this model can travel farther than any previous LEGO creation.

The complex build involved a dedicated team of 23 specialists from both LEGO and McLaren Automotive, who worked across design, engineering, and construction. Over 8,344 hours were spent bringing the project to life, utilising 393 different types of LEGO Technic elements.

Once the car was assembled, the final challenge was to see how it performed on a real racetrack. Enter Lando Norris, who took on the task of driving the LEGO McLaren P1 around the 5.891km (3.66 miles) Silverstone Circuit. Given McLaren's rich history with the home of British racing, Silverstone was a fitting location for this groundbreaking test.

Ben Gulliver, Test & Development Director, McLaren Automotive commented: “Having worked on the original P1 programme for McLaren, it’s amazing to see so many of the elements from 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 are able to inspire the next generation of designers and engineers to push the boundaries of automotive innovation.

“This project marks the latest in a long list of collaborations between the LEGO Group and McLaren, bringing together McLaren engineers and the LEGO Model Production team from conception all the way to the final build.”

“McLaren's automotive and engineering expertise has been invaluable in helping us produce a model as authentic to the original McLaren P1 as possible, allowing us to turn a dream into a reality. It was incredibly cool to see McLaren F1 driver, Lando Norris driving the car we created,” says Lukáš Horák, Senior Project Manager in Model Production, LEGO Group.