The McLaren F1 has never been short of remarkable stories, but one particular example is now preparing to cross the auction block with an estimated value in excess of USD $35 million. Chassis 10R is no ordinary McLaren F1 GTR. It is a genuine factory prototype, the only example to wear its distinctive red and yellow “Pop Art” livery, and one of the most historically significant F1s ever created.
Known as the “Pop-Art F1”, chassis 10R was the first McLaren F1 GTR built to 1996 specification and one of only two factory “XP” Short-Tail prototypes. The other, chassis 01R, famously won the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans outright. Developed by McLaren as its in-house prototype, 10R played a key role in refining the updated 1996 race car before being retained by the factory, tested in preparation for Le Mans and later converted for road use.
Its appearance is equally stunning. Finished in Blood Red with bold yellow graphics, the factory-created livery was conceived under the direction of Gordon Murray himself rather than commercial sponsors. Murray described the design as a deliberate attempt to create an “art car”, giving the team complete freedom to produce something unlike any other racing McLaren.
The car’s history became even stronger in 1999 when it was acquired directly from McLaren by Pink Floyd drummer and renowned collector Nick Mason. Remaining in his ownership for more than 25 years, it has been meticulously maintained by Lanzante, the same team responsible for McLaren’s famous Le Mans victory.
This one-off McLaren F1 is being offered at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction 2026, taking place on 15 August.
