McLaren recently unveiled a strikingly colourful Senna adorned with a special paint job, aptly named the Senna Sempre livery, paying homage to Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna. Although this eye-catching car isn’t available for purchase, Amalgam, renowned for its model-making expertise, offers collectors the opportunity to own a meticulously crafted 1:8-scale replica capturing every vibrant detail.
Amalgam’s latest creation exemplifies exceptional craftsmanship, a hallmark of the UK-based company. While replicating intricate details in small-scale models is impressive, the Senna Sempre’s unique paintwork, including Senna’s iconic dot-matrix face on the rear fenders, showcases Amalgam’s attention to detail.
For McLaren’s MSO team, hand-painting the full-size car posed a significant challenge. While Amalgam hasn’t disclosed its process for scaling down the livery, crafting each 1:8 Senna replica required an astonishing 3,000 hours for design and manufacturing. Additionally, meticulous hand assembly adds another 300 hours to the process. Beyond the captivating exterior, the replica features a meticulously detailed interior visible through its open doors, offering a glimpse of the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V-8 engine beneath the cover. Behind the Pirelli-clad wheels lie “massive” McLaren brakes with cross-drilled rotors, further enhancing the model’s authenticity.
McLaren will showcase the special Senna Sempre at the Monaco Grand Prix, alongside Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s McLaren MCL38 Formula 1 cars sporting similar liveries. This particular Senna, a pre-production one-off from McLaren’s heritage collection, serves as a captivating display piece. However, Amalgam plans to produce 30 scale replicas for enthusiastic fans and collectors alike.
If you’re considering adding this exquisite replica to your collection, you will have to invest real-car money, with pricing in the United States starting at $21,385 (RM100,680).
Jam tangan Rec Watches 98T/4 adalah penghormatan kepada kereta Formula 1 Khas John Player hitam dan emas yang ikonik, terutamanya Lotus 98T yang dipandu oleh Aryton Senna pada musim 1986. Dicipta dengan kerjasama Classic Team Lotus, jam tangan edisi terhad ini merakamkan intipati era legenda dalam sukan permotoran itu.
Skim warna hitam dan emasnya yang menyerlah memberi penghormatan kepada livery JPS yang ikonik, manakala pembinaannya daripada keluli tahan karat dan aluminium yang diperbaharui daripada tiub plenum kereta asal menambah sambungan ketara kepada jentera F1 yang bersejarah. Kaca atas kristal nilam memastikan ketahanan, dan tali kulit menawarkan keselesaan dan gaya. Dengan rintangan air 100 meter, ia direka untuk dinikmati oleh peminat di dalam dan di luar trek.
Terhad kepada hanya 989 unit, setiap jam tangan berharga $3,995 (RM19,048), dengan pembeli pra-pesanan menerima harga diskaun $3,195 (RM15,233). Walau bagaimanapun, peminat perlu bersabar kerana jam tangan tidak akan tersedia sehingga Mac 2025. Walaupun menunggu, permintaan untuk kepingan sejarah F1 ini adalah tinggi, dengan sebahagian besar pengeluaran terhad telah pun ditempah. Sehingga 26 April, hanya 173 pra-pesanan kekal tersedia, menjadikannya penting untuk peminat bertindak pantas untuk mendapatkan warisan perlumbaan mereka sendiri.
The Rec Watches 98T/4 timepiece is a stunning tribute to the iconic black and gold John Player Special Formula 1 cars campaigned by Lotus, particularly the Lotus 98T chassis number 4 driven by Aryton Senna in the 1986 season. Crafted in collaboration with Classic Team Lotus, this limited-edition watch encapsulates the spirit of that legendary era in motorsport.
The watch features a striking black and gold colour scheme reminiscent of the iconic JPS livery. Constructed primarily from stainless steel, it incorporates reforged aluminium from the car’s original plenum tubes into the Chapter Ring surrounding the dial, adding a tangible connection to the historic F1 machine. The top glass is crafted from sapphire crystal for durability, while the leather strap ensures comfort and style. With a water resistance rating of 100 meters, it’s a timepiece designed for enthusiasts both on and off the track.
Limited to just 989 examples, each watch is priced at $3,995 (RM19,048), with pre-order buyers receiving a discounted price of $3,195 (RM15,233). However, eager collectors will need to exercise patience as the watches won’t be available until March 2025. Despite the wait, the demand for these pieces of F1 history is high, with the majority of the limited production already spoken for. As of April 26, only 173 pre-orders remain available, making it imperative for enthusiasts to act swiftly to secure their piece of racing heritage.
Netflix documentaries are usually great due to the fact that it’s inspired by figures who have made a mark in this world, be it good or bad. Even their casting choices are great because these actors put in a lot of effort to adapt to the role of that person they play and at certain angles they almost look like the same person.
In 2018, McLaren announced that it would add a Senna model to its Ultimate Series, joining the F1 and the P1. The name was of course that of the Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna, one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers who tragically died in an accident on the track at the age of 34. The car was to honour and pay tribute to his many victories with the McLaren Formula One Team between 1988 and 1993 Formula 1 seasons.
Only 500 units of the Senna will be in existence, and every single unit was taken even before production began. Among the 500 were a very small number of XP cars which are traditionally the factory experimental prototypes and initial test cars. These are rebuilt to individual customer specifications after the model program is completed.
McLaren Beverly Hills, a dealership in the famous district in California, acquired four XP units on behalf of customers. Until today, only three have been revealed, each one a bespoke commission through McLaren Special Operations (MSO).
This week, the dealership unveiled the fourth and Senna XP tribute car. Like the other three which have themes related to Senna’s victories, this one has the theme of ‘El Triunfo Absoluto’ (‘The Absolute Triumph’ in English). It celebrates the 1989 Mexican Grand Prix where he led from pole position and secured the championship lead with his third straight win of the season.
This particular car was used for press activity in the USA before it was sent back to the UK in 2021 to be rebuilt, explaining why it is only now being delivered to the owner. Commissioned through MSO, which offers near limitless design possibilities, the Senna XP El Triunfo Absoluto features numerous unique design elements that celebrate the win in Mexico in 1989.
The road-legal car is finished in Graphite Grey paint, and features a remarkable livery painted in Accent Red and Mexico Green on the roof scoop, front service panel and sides, inside front fenders, door lowers, front light sockets, front and rear wheel arch vanes, and rear bumper.
Also featured is an exposed Gloss Visual Carbon Fibre (VCF) Ayrton Senna signature on the driver’s side in front of the light socket, which is clearly visible on the front of the car. On the door lowers, there is an exposed Graphite Grey ‘Senna XP’ logo, and the Graphite Grey rear wing end plates are painted with a ‘1’ in Anniversary White.
The rear wing upper is a hand-painted flying Mexico flag, which is painted in Mexico Green, Anniversary White, and Accent Red with exquisite detail. On the front fender in stencil effect reads ‘EL TRIUNFO ABSOLUTO’, expressing the name of the theme.
The exterior also includes eye-catching MSO Bespoke Gloss VCF Elements replacing all the standard exterior Satin VCF areas except the roof canopy. The Centre Lock wheel nuts are painted in Anniversary White and on the front end, you can see the MSO Bespoke Gloss VCF aero blades and MSO Bespoke Electroform Front Badge. Another distinct exterior feature MSO has brought to life on this car is the MSO Bespoke fuel cap, which is painted in the design of the flag of Mexico.
Inside, the full MSO Bespoke Jet-Black leather interior is complemented by the seatpad outers which are embroidered with a double stitch in Pure White and Bright Red. The headrest pads are also exquisitely embroidered with the Mexican Flag and ‘EL TRIUNFO ABSOLUTO’ embroidered underneath.
The standard interior VCF areas are replaced with a Green Tinted Gloss VCF, and further distinct features include the MSO Bespoke painted door struts painted in Anniversary White, Galvanic Grey brushed and polished interior brightwork, MSO Bespoke door sills, and MSO Bespoke Extended Carbon Fibre Sills with a uniquely airbrushed depiction of Senna on the podium in 1989.
The finishing touches of the interior are further enhanced with subtle signature details such as a MSO Bespoke steering wheel with Green Tinted Gloss VCF Upper and a special 12 o’clock marker of a Triple Centre band which is painted in Mexico Green, Anniversary White, and Accent Red. A MSO Bespoke accelerator pedal is laser-etched with the Mexican Grand Prix 1989 racetrack layout at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, and a MSO Bespoke dedication plaque etched with ‘EL GRAN PREMIO DE MEXICO DE 1989’.
Like the other Senna XPs, this one has a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 M840TR engine that produces 800 ps/800 Nm, giving a power-to-weight ratio of 668 ps/tonne (it weighs 1,198 kgs). McLaren’s test drivers have taken it from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, taking another 4 seconds to get to 200 km/h in the same run and reaching 300 km/h 18.8 seconds after launch.
In 2018, the base price of a Senna was almost US$1.5 million (equivalent to RM5.95 million). The XP versions, being rarer, would cost more and with the personalization and enhancement done by MSO, these four cars now being driven around Beverly Hills would be considerably more.
Ayrton Senna was one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers and tragically died in an accident on the track at the age of 34. But he is remembered and honoured in many ways and recently, a McLaren dealer in Beverly Hills, California, unveiled three one-of-a-kind McLaren Senna XP cars. The XP cars were specially commissioned by the dealer from McLaren Special Operations (MSO) and each has a pricetag of US$1,435,328 (equivalent to RM5.95 million).
Only 500 examples of the McLaren Senna were made available globally during the car’s limited production run, and all were snapped up by enthusiasts before production even began in 2018. The XP cars are even rarer, being traditionally the factory experimental prototypes and initial test cars, and then re-built to individual customer specifications after the model program is completed.
Photo credit for all images: Robert Grubbs
Inspired by Senna’s remarkable achievements
The Beverly Hills XP vehicles are inspired by three of the most remarkable achievements in the career of F1 driver. Each car features a fully exposed gloss carbonfibre bodywork with unique paintwork detailing matching the hosting countries’ colours of the corresponding Grand Prix. The flags of these countries are hand painted on the rear wing which, together with the exquisite detail airbrushed onto the interior extended carbonfibre sills, shows the racing exploits of the great man.
These features and the fully bespoke interiors in matching tinted gloss carbonfibre, took the craftsmen and women at MSO 780 hours to create. The finishing touches are bespoke brake calipers, a steering wheel with special 12 o’clock marker, an etched accelerator pedal, headrests embroidered with the nation’s flag and name of theme and a special 1 of 1 dedication plaque.
Master of Monaco celebrates Senna’s six wins, five of which were consecutive victories, at the famous street circuit between 1989 and 1993. Considered by most as requiring more concentration over a single lap than any other circuit, the drivers get closer to the barriers at Monaco than at any other Grand Prix. In 1988, Ayrton qualified on pole by over 2 seconds driving what he later said was “well over something conscious”.
Lap of the Gods pays respect to one of Ayrton’s greatest victories at Donington Park in the UK during the 1993 season. He started from 5th place on the grid to lead the race in the wet and changing conditions by the end of the first lap. Ayrton solidified his status and went to finish in first place over 1 minute ahead of the next car. This incredible drive by Ayrton is widely regarded as the best opening-lap charge in F1 history, and rightfully so.
Home Victory (vitória em casa, the Portuguese translation of Home Victory) pays homage to Ayrton’s home country of Brazil and his first home win in 1991. Against all odds, Ayrton won the race at the Interlagos circuit with only 6th gear remaining through the final laps; with competitors catching up to him, his superhuman effort and great luck led him to victory in the emotional race.
“I only returned to reality when I saw the finish line” he said. “Then I felt happy to be alive, to be in Interlagos, in my homeland, and with my happy compatriots. It wasn’t the greatest victory of my life, but one where I gave everything I had.”
