McLaren W1 Headlines Goodwood 2025 with Iconic ‘1’ Lineage

McLaren W1 debuts at Goodwood 2025, joined by F1 and P1, celebrating Le Mans legacy with JJ Lehto and bespoke MSO details.

This year, McLaren once again proves its mastery of creating not just cars but headline-grabbing moments. At the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the British manufacturer unveiled its new W1 to the public for the first time — a supercar that promises to stand proudly alongside the legendary F1 and P1™ in the marque’s unique ‘1’ car lineage.

Under the W1’s bonnet lies a hybrid twin-turbo V8 delivering an impressive 1,275 horsepower. Its active ground-effect aerodynamics and finely tuned Aerocell monocoque help keep the car glued to the tarmac: in Race Mode, the rear spoiler extends by 300 mm while the body drops by nearly 40 mm at the front. The result is maximum grip and mind-bending performance — 0–100 km/h takes just 2.7 seconds. Anyone hoping to get their hands on one is out of luck: all 399 units have been sold at a price of around $2.6 million each.

Alongside the W1’s debut, McLaren made sure its legends got their moment too. Thirty years ago, the brand shocked the motorsport world by winning Le Mans at its very first attempt — and the victorious #59 F1 GTR returned to the Goodwood Hillclimb, driven by JJ Lehto himself, one of the original trio of drivers who sealed that historic win in 1995.

For those who value bespoke touches, the Solus GT caught many eyes — a track-only hypercar with a V10 engine, weighing under a tonne, and looking every bit like a fantasy come to life. Once again, a customer-owned example took to the hill, showcasing the limitless customisation offered by McLaren Special Operations. From one-off paintwork to exclusive interior trims and performance tweaks, MSO underlines that almost nothing is off the table.

Another milestone this year is the tenth anniversary of McLaren’s iconic LT series. Selected Heritage Collection models were displayed in the Supercar Paddock, with some making dynamic runs to remind fans why the ‘Longtail’ badge holds a special place in McLaren lore.

Goodwood 2025 is yet more proof that McLaren’s ambition shows no signs of slowing. The brand expertly balances a deep respect for its racing heritage with a constant push for innovation — from the boundary-pushing W1 to honouring the drivers and collectors who keep the spirit alive. Three decades on from Le Mans glory, one can only wonder what the next ‘1’ might look like.