One to Buy: ex-works / Nick Mason 1996 McLaren F1 GTR
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To see off the expected threat from GT1 iterations of the Ferrari F50 and a reverse engineered purpose built racer that Porsche was known to have in development, McLaren created an uprated GTR ‘96 for the F1’s second season of competition.
Homologated thanks to a limited run of F1 LM special editions, the GTR ‘96 featured an array of trick new parts that focused primarily on aerodynamics, handling and weight-saving. As had been the case for 1995, nine copies of this latest F1 racer were built: a prototype and eight customer cars.
Set to go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale scheduled for August 13th to 15th is the prototype F1 GTR ‘96: chassis 10R.
Painted red and emblazoned with yellow 96 GTR graphics that matched its wheels, 10R initially served as McLaren’s press and development car. In addition to racking up thousands of test miles at circuits across Europe, chassis 10R appeared at Pre-Qualifying for the 1996 Le Mans 24 Hours in late April where, in a plain red livery with graphite wheels, David Brabham posted 20th fastest time overall and eighth quickest lap by a GT1 car.
Following its career with McLaren, 10R was sold to Pink Floyd drummer and noted collector, Nick Mason.
Mason subsequently had the GTR converted to road trim by Lanzente who, in later years, carried out two separate restorations on the car following off-track excursions. During his ownership, Mason has reportedly undertaken a no-expense spared approach to maintenance that has seen 10R return to Lanzante after every significant drive.
