FYI: A life-size, fully drivable McLaren P1 has been masterfully recreated using Lego, blending the worlds of toy bricks and high-performance automotive engineering.
Lego Unveils Drivable McLaren P1 Replica Using Over 300,000 Bricks
An extraordinary collaboration between Lego and McLaren Automotive has resulted in a life-sized, fully functional McLaren P1 constructed entirely from Lego bricks. This unique creation, while not as swift as its real-life counterpart, marks a notable achievement in the realm of DIY vehicles.
McLaren F1 Star Lando Norris Takes the Lego P1 for a Spin
To ensure its capabilities, McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris took the Lego P1 for a lap around the famed Silverstone Circuit. Despite its Lego construction, the vehicle handled the 5.891 km (3.66 miles) track with ease, thanks to its surprisingly functional design.
An Engineering Marvel: 342,817 Lego Technic Elements
Constructed from a staggering 342,817 Lego Technic pieces, the Lego P1 weighs in at 1,220 kg. Its pixelated, toy-like appearance does not detract from its robust engineering. The vehicle boasts a fully functional steering system, making it the first Lego Technic model capable of handling real track conditions.
Lego / Jeff Moore
The car’s propulsion comes from a combination of Lego Technic Function batteries and a standard electric car battery. This innovative hybrid system proved sufficient to navigate the intricate twists and turns of Silverstone under Norris’s skilled driving.
A Monumental Task: Over 8,000 Hours of Development and Assembly
The creation of this Lego McLaren P1 was no small feat. A team of 23 experts from both Lego and McLaren invested a total of 8,344 hours into its development and assembly. The project utilized 393 distinct types of Lego Technic elements.
Ben Gulliver, McLaren’s test and development director, expressed his admiration for the project: “Having worked on the original P1 program 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.”
Lego / Jeff Moore
Lego’s Continued Foray into Automotive Replicas
This isn’t the first time Lego has ventured into the automotive world. Previously, the company revealed a drivable Bugatti Chiron, another impressive model that closely mirrors its real-world counterpart.
The appeal of these life-sized Lego vehicles raises an intriguing question: Can we expect more full-scale, drivable Lego replicas in the future? This collaboration certainly sets a high bar, merging the nostalgic charm of Lego bricks with cutting-edge automotive design.
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William Rapp, Editor of Automotive.fyi
