P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren has a top-secret Heritage center. We went there.
“When McLaren mentioned the possibility of visiting their secret facility after our encounter at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, I was quite shocked. I had heard about this place since I was a child, but it seemed like a mythical realm that only existed in stories. The location was kept confidential, and even Google Maps couldn’t figure it out. Nevertheless, I managed to find my way there and was greeted by a seemingly ordinary warehouse-like structure.
Inside, I was surrounded by the rich history of McLaren, with iconic cars from the likes of Alain Prost, Mika Hakkinen, Fernando Alonso, and Lewis Hamilton. Upstairs, more treasure awaited, including cars covered in black shrouds and even a kart driven by Hamilton. This facility, known as Unit 2, was once a hiding place for retired racing cars and equipment, but now serves as McLaren’s Heritage department.
The Heritage department is not your average archive; it is a dynamic entity that keeps everything in running order and constantly rotates its collection. According to McLaren’s Chief Operating Officer, Piers Thynne, the facility is used to prepare cars for upcoming events, sometimes years in advance. For instance, they were already dismantling and rebuilding the Indy car used at Goodwood in anticipation of anniversary events the following year.
Much like the Formula 1 team, McLaren Heritage is always thinking ahead and strives to keep the story of McLaren alive. It’s a rare glimpse into the fascinating world behind the scenes of one of the most successful names in motorsports.”
Source: Racer
