The final and 500th allocation of the McLaren Senna has been sold at a private auction for $2.67 million, with all proceeds going to the Ayrton Senna Institute. This organization is named after the iconic three-time Formula 1 world champion who raced for McLaren. Attending the auction were Senna’s sister, Viviane Senna da Silva Lalli, and his nephew, Bruno Senna, who is also a race car driver.
If you weren’t able to purchase one, there’s no need to feel disheartened. The Senna is so exclusive that prospective buyers needed an invitation from McLaren to even have the chance to spend £750,000 (about $1 million) on the vehicle.
As part of McLaren’s Ultimate Series, alongside the hybrid P1, the Senna is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter M840TR V8 engine generating 789 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Impressively light, the car weighs just 2,641 pounds.
However, power and lightness are not the only attributes that contribute to McLaren branding the Senna as their “most extreme” road car. It features an RCC II RaceActive Chassis Control hydraulic suspension and exceptional aerodynamics, including large front and rear splitters and an oversized rear wing, all of which serve practical purposes for maintaining traction on the track. The design’s heavy focus on aerodynamics has led to an appearance that some find unattractive; yet, it is purposefully crafted.
Founded in 1994 following Ayrton Senna’s tragic passing, the Ayrton Senna Institute supports educational initiatives for children in São Paulo, Brazil, the birthplace of the racing legend. Viviane Senna da Silva Lalli oversees the institute and was present at the auction alongside her son, Bruno, who continues the family’s racing legacy..
