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McLaren Reveals Le Mans Hypercar and You Can Buy One Too
Andrew Evans
June 16, 2025
Hello, SpeedBiters! Here's what's on the menu today:
Ferrari secures a third straight Le Mans win
Mercedes esports series returns for 2025 on five platforms
Renault boss Luca de Meo steps down
Russell wins in Canada after lengthy investigation
Lost Michael Jordan Ferrari Testarossa discovered, sent for restoration
...and more!
Join the discussion: click here to chat about today's issue!
INDUSTRY NEWS
McLaren has announced its plans to compete in the World Endurance Championship, revealing a new Hypercar it’s developed in a collaboration between its road and race car divisions, as well as a customer variant. The as-yet unnamed car will be based on a Dallara chassis and built to LMDh regulations, while private buyers can also pick up an example for track use through its Project: Endurance initiative that offers exclusive access to the car's development and events.
Luca de Meo has announced his resignation as CEO of Renault Group after five years, with plans to transition to a leadership position at Kering, the parent company of luxury brands like Gucci. During his tenure, he implemented the 'Renaulution' strategy, which revitalized the company and set the stage for future product developments, leaving behind a strengthened organization.
Stellantis Chairman John Elkann has urged European regulators to consider developing smaller, more affordable vehicles akin to Japan's kei cars, highlighting the impact of stringent regulations on consumer demand. He pointed out that while kei cars dominate the Japanese market due to their compact size and lower costs, Europe has seen a drastic decline in budget-friendly models, emphasizing the need for innovation in the automotive sector.
Ferrari has introduced the Piloti version of the 296 Speciale, designed specifically for track enthusiasts and inspired by the victorious 499P models that triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 and 2024. While the mechanical specifications remain unchanged from the standard model, this variant features distinctive racing aesthetics and requires buyers to have a history of track driving with Ferrari vehicles.
Smart is reportedly working on a successor to its ForTwo city car, which may pave the way for a potential revival of the Smart Roadster. Although the company’s UK CEO, Jason Allbutt, expressed a nostalgic fondness for the Roadster during an interview, he stated that the focus remains on launching the new Smart #5 SUV and an upcoming Smart #6 electric hatchback.
Chevrolet appears to be preparing for the anticipated introduction of a new Corvette model, widely referred to as the 'Zora', which is expected to elevate the brand's performance lineup. A recent teaser from the automaker hints at a reveal date of June 17, leaving enthusiasts eager for more information about this potentially powerful addition to the Corvette family.
DS may consider introducing a hybrid variant of its electric flagship “No8”, depending on consumer interest. It currently stands as the sole model within Stellantis's lineup on the STLA Medium platform to offer only electric power, and offers a 466-mile range on a full charge, but the company is open to expanding its options if customers are not convinced of its capabilities.
Maserati has introduced the MCXtrema, a track-focused version of the MC20, featuring a lightweight carbon fiber structure and a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine that delivers 730 hp through a sequential manual transmission. Limited to just 62 units for select customers, the MCXtrema offers a personalized delivery experience, including professional track instruction and exclusive racing gear, which one customer took advantage of with a delivery to the Monza circuit.
MOTORSPORT
Ferrari triumphed at the 93rd Le Mans 24 Hours for a third year in a row with its #83 entry, featuring drivers Phil Hanson, Robert Kubica, and Yifei Ye, while the #50 and #51 cars narrowly missed out on a podium sweep, finishing behind the #6 Porsche. The race unfolded as a tightly contested battle among several top contenders, with Ferrari benefiting from a mid-race safety car that helped it recover from earlier setbacks.
George Russell's victory at the Canadian Grand Prix has been upheld after race officials dismissed Red Bull's protests concerning his conduct during a late safety car period. Despite initial concerns raised by Red Bull regarding Russell's braking and alleged unsportsmanlike behavior, the stewards concluded that his actions were appropriate and confirmed his first win of the season.
Lewis Hamilton's hopes for a strong finish at the Canadian Grand Prix were dashed after an unexpected collision with a groundhog, which left him with damage and struggling for pace. Despite starting in fifth and aiming for a podium, animal-loving Hamilton ultimately finished sixth, acknowledging that performance issues and race strategy hindered his chances for a better result.
Lando Norris acknowledged his error in colliding with teammate Oscar Piastri during the Canadian Grand Prix, admitting he misjudged the situation while attempting to overtake. This incident not only damaged his car but also set him back 22 points in their championship battle, although Piastri was able to continue racing without any issues.
Oscar Piastri expressed appreciation for Lando Norris's prompt apology following their late-race incident during the Canadian Grand Prix, emphasizing the importance of open communication for team unity. Despite the clash, Piastri believes McLaren should maintain its current approach to allowing both drivers to compete for the championship, as he remains focused on improving after a challenging race weekend.
The Alpine Formula 1 team is expected to appoint Steve Nielsen as its new team manager, following the unexpected resignation of Ollie Oakes. With a long history in the sport, Nielsen brings extensive experience from various teams, including a notable tenure with Benetton, and will likely take on responsibilities akin to those of a traditional team principal, though his official title and licensing requirements are still under discussion.
Shane van Gisbergen dominated the NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City, finishing nearly 17 seconds ahead of his closest competitor, marking the largest victory margin in the Cup Series since 2009. Despite facing travel delays and illness earlier in the weekend, he maintained focus throughout the race, ultimately securing his second Cup Series win and advancing to the playoffs.
Two-time champion Josef Newgarden dramatically crashed out of the lead of the Gateway IndyCar race after colliding with an out-of-control car driven by rookie Louis Foster. Foster’s own incident began after colliding with the outside wall, sending the car down the track where it was struck by Newgarden who was attempting to avoid it, flipping Newgarden’s car upside-down and partly onto the pitwall, though neither driver was injured.
FUN STUFF
Michael Jordan's iconic Ferrari 512 TR Testarossa disappeared for more than a decade before it was recently rediscovered after surviving the California wildfires and is set to undergo an extensive restoration in Italy. Following the restoration, the car will return to the USA to meet up with its previous celebrity owners, Jordan and The Pursuit of Happyness inspiration Chris Gardner.
The Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Virtual Championship has kicked off its second season, featuring a revised format that expands participation across various racing titles. Competitors can qualify through hot laps or live events for the seven-race league season, with opportunities for promotion and prizes for top performers.
A recent surge in vehicle thefts has left Kia and Hyundai owners in Reno anxious, as local authorities report a rise in incidents linked to a method popularized by a viral TikTok video. Despite the increase, statistics indicate that these brands do not rank among the most stolen vehicles, with thieves often targeting less vigilant communities where anti-theft measures remain unaddressed.
A Jaguar E-Pace owner in the UK took matters into his own hands after reporting his stolen vehicle to the police, providing them with real-time tracking information but receiving minimal assistance. After his efforts to recover the car himself, which involved contacting the manufacturer for help, the police did not attend until a week later.
A high-speed pursuit in Ohio ended dramatically when a GMC Envoy rolled over after the driver attempted to evade police. The individual, who was found to be under the influence of alcohol, faces multiple charges, including DUI and failing to obey law enforcement orders, following the incident that left her with only minor injuries.
A Lancia Stratos recently rebuilt to period-correct Group 4 specifications and sporting a Historical Technical Passport that makes it eligible for international historic races is available in a classified listing. The original Stratos captured three successive World Rally Championships and this example sports body panels created from the original tooling, a 2.4-liter Dino V6 engine, and a chassis overhaul that help propel the price to £385,000.
Maintaining a Bugatti can lead to some seriously high repair costs, as illustrated by Carl Hartley's experience with a minor toggle switch issue that was quoted at $15,500, but was resolved for just $1.20 with the help of a knowledgeable friend. This episode highlights how even exclusive vehicles can share parts with more everyday cars, potentially saving owners significant amounts on maintenance.
A rare McLaren P1, #47 of the 375 ever made, is available through auction in California, with bids already reaching $1.4m despite there being several days remaining. Part of the hypercar “Holy Trinity”, alongside the Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder, the P1 is equipped with a motor-assisted 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 903hp and can accelerate the car to a limited 217mph.
San Francisco's recent initiative involving fixed-speed cameras has already recorded 31,000 speed limit violations within its first month of operation. With a total of 33 cameras planned for deployment, the city will transition to issuing fines starting in August for those exceeding the speed limit by 11mph or more.
That's all for today! We would love to hear your feedback, so just reply to this message to let us know what you thought about this issue. See you next time!