Absolute Peak: McLaren F1 GTR Expected to Sell for at Least $35 Million - The Drive

What the report says

The Drive reports that a 1996 McLaren F1 GTR, chassis 10R, is expected to draw more than $35 million when it is offered by RM Sotheby’s during Monterey Car Week on August 15, 2026. The car is known as the “Pop Art F1” because of its distinctive 1990s-style livery, a one-off look that adds to its appeal among collectors. RM Sotheby’s is presenting it as one of the featured lots at the sale.

According to The Drive, the car’s rarity is central to the valuation: only nine 1996-spec F1 GTRs were produced. The GTR was the competition version of the McLaren F1, created after customer demand pushed the road-car project into racing. Earlier F1 GTRs won the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the 1996 cars received changes such as revised bodywork, a larger front splitter, weight reductions and gearbox reinforcement.

Chassis 10R was the first 1996-spec example and was initially retained by McLaren for testing and promotional use. The Drive says it appeared at the 1996 Le Mans event for testing, though it did not race there, and later became strongly associated with its Pop Art livery.

The car was later owned by Pink Floyd drummer and noted car collector Nick Mason. The Drive reports that F1 specialist Lanzante maintained it during Mason’s ownership and completed a restoration in 2009 after a crash involving a journalist. Its combination of rare specification, recognizable presentation, McLaren history and celebrity ownership helps explain why the auction estimate is exceptionally high.