It’s fair to say the McLaren Senna had some big boots to fill, being the third iteration of McLaren’s 'Ultimate Series' following the legendary F1 and 'widow-maker' P1, but it’s safe to say the Senna lives up to all expectations and more.

First unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show and named after the late Ayrton Senna as an homage to his three Formula 1 World Championships with McLaren between 1988 and 1993, it was a sharp and purposeful car with one main goal - to be the fastest and most track-focused road car McLaren had ever produced. A fitting tribute to say the least.

In contrast to its precursor, the P1, the Senna forwent any hybrid system or electrical powertrain assistance, instead opting for a modified version of McLaren’s own 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, codenamed M840TR. This engine is an engineering feat on its own, being the most powerful engine ever installed in a McLaren road car, producing 789bhp and 800Nm of torque, transmitted to the tarmac through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and the rear wheels. It remains a hugely advanced engine, featuring dry-sump lubrication, lightweight rods and pistons, a pair of ultra-low-inertia twin-scroll turbochargers fitted with electronic wastegates for instant throttle response and a bespoke carbon-fibre intake plenum, feeding cold air through the motorsport-derived roof scoop.

Many of those 789 horses would be redundant without serious witchcraft in the chassis helping them all contribute and that’s where its active aerodynamics, unparalleled on any other production road car, come into play. The front end is dominated by a huge and functional raised splitter with large air intakes featuring active winglets to channel air under the body. Warm air from the radiators is channelled from behind, up and over the roof, deliberately missing the roof scoop before flowing over the enormous active rear wing. The wing itself is controlled by hydraulics and moves constantly to suit the driving scenario, either acting as an airbrake lifting to 90° increasing downforce and stopping power, or reducing drag as part of an active F1-derived Drag Reduction System (DRS). The rear end is further enhanced with a double diffuser and a second fixed lower wing, which are fed exhaust air from the louvred engine cover. The results of this aerodynamic concoction are remarkable. At 155mph the Senna can produce 800kg of downforce, a seemingly impossible 40% increase over the already efficient McLaren P1.

The chassis is based around McLaren’s own 'Monocage III' tub and is constructed of lightweight materials and carbon fibre throughout for a combination of maximum stiffness and lightness. Each seat weighs a remarkable 3.6kg, the front wings weigh less than 700g and the enormous rear wing is less than 5.5kg. The Senna also uses an upgraded version of McLaren’s Race Active Chassis Control II system, which features an active double wishbone and hydraulic damper setup from the P1, allowing for variable ride-height, damping and stiffness modes according to the driver’s desired setup. Retardation is achieved by Formula 1–inspired carbon brakes developed in partnership with Brembo, with discs that take seven months to make, each one with integrated cooling vanes and a thermal compound that is three times more conductive than conventional carbon-ceramic brakes. Indeed, so potent is the braking system, that the Senna currently holds the record for braking performance for production cars: 124mph to a standstill in just 100 metres, decelerating with a force of 2.1g.

Other performance statistics to which the Senna can lay claim are no less impressive: 0–62mph dispatched in 2.8 seconds, 0 – 124 mph in just 6.8 seconds and, by doing away with any hybrid or electrical units, the dry weight is just under 1,200kg, equating to a power-to-weight ratio of 668bhp per ton. It thus eclipses even the P1 statistic of 646bhp per ton, whilst simultaneously offering significantly more downforce.

The McLaren Senna offered here is truly special, even within the context of being a Senna. This is XP01, VIN #0001, making it the very first Senna ever produced. Not to be confused with the first customer car, which is finished in a blue and white colour scheme, this is a uniquely specified example which incorporates almost every conceivable item on the McLaren Special Operations (MSO) bespoke and optional equipment list.

The Senna’s internal development codename was P15, with their ‘Experimental Prototype’/development cars being allocated XP build numbers to signify they were pre-production cars. McLaren XPs are generally prototype cars used during the development phase of a particular model and are then taken back in-house by McLaren to be fully stripped and rebuilt to brand new condition. XP01 was specified and first owned by McLaren’s Executive Director of Global Sales and Marketing at the time, as confirmed by a document within the history file, also clarifying that he specified it together with MSO, prior to it being purchased by our vendor, the second owner from new.

Sennas typically came fully loaded with extras from McLaren however, for that extra cherry on the cake, you can hand the car over to MSO to take it a little further and XP01 has certainly had its fair share of MSO fairy dust sprinkled on it. As the car was commissioned internally, there isn’t a priced breakdown of the MSO parts and options chosen however the list is extensive and expensive. The full specification is included below/online. Amongst the enhancements unique to this Senna are MSO Chicane Grey paint (£9,500), rarely seen MSO Bespoke Visual Carbon Fibre Roof Canopy and Snorkel (£41,333) making all gloss black areas gloss carbon fibre including T-Bar, door uppers, roof scoop, door hinges, fuel filler cap, MSO painted Senna helmets on the rear wing end planes, Memphis Red and Vega Blue centre-lock wheel nuts and a gloss carbon roof canopy amongst a plethora of other features. The interior is awash with MSO touches with Alcantara, MSO Push-to-Drink system, Bowers & Wilkins 7-speaker audio system, bespoke ‘SS’ logos embroidered in the headrests, McLaren Orange contrast stitching and MSO steering wheel with Alcantara and orange trim.

XP01 has a full McLaren Service History with two major services undertaken by McLaren Manchester, the most recent being in June 2024, costing nearly £10,000 (including new front and rear suspension accumulators) to ensure the car remains in perfect order throughout. Interestingly, XP01’s Pre-Delivery Inspection was stamped by McLaren Central which no other Senna we’re aware of has received. Accompanying the car is the owners handbook, service and warranty guide book, bills/invoices for work undertaken, a signed document from McLaren’s Executive Director of Global Sales and Marketing verifying the car’s identity and importance as VIN #0001, a bespoke Senna car cover and a trickle charger.

Both owners to date have sparingly and carefully enjoyed the car, ensuring it is serviced and maintained despite minimal usage, covering just 1,030 miles at the time of consignment, and the car benefits from a full body Paint Protection Film, ceramic coating and a meticulous detail to ensure it's in perfect condition for the sale.

The number ‘one’ is rightfully synonymous with the three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna. He was undeniably one of the best and most iconic racing drivers ever so what better representation of the Senna than the very first example, VIN #0001? To name a car after Ayrton was setting the bar unprecedentedly high, but it's fair to say McLaren executed their tribute with flying colours. An argument could be made to say the Senna is overkill with its development and push for speed, but is that not exactly encapsulating Ayrton Senna himself? The culmination of McLaren’s pursuit of perfection makes the Senna a surgeon’s knife with the force of Thor’s hammer.

MSO Additions:

Exterior:

MSO Chicane Effect Grey Paint

Satin Memphis Red & Satin Vega Blue Centre Lock Wheel Nuts

Bespoke Exterior Paint Detailing to include:

McLaren Orange Door and Rear Bumper Vanes

McLaren Orange Side of Service Panel

McLaren Orange Exterior Pinstripe detail to Service Panel, Roof and Rear Wing

McLaren Orange Perimeter Pack

Gloss Finish to Exterior Carbon Fibre

Gloss Carbon Fibre Roof Canopy

All standard Gloss Black Areas in Gloss Carbon Fibre to include T Bar, Door uppers, Roof Snorkel, Door Hinges, Fuel Filler Cap

Bespoke Rear Wing End Plates Gloss Carbon Fibre End Plates with Painted Senna Helmet

Exterior Door Lower Panel – Gorilla Glass

Rear Bulkhead Upper – Glass

Exhaust Heatshield – Dark Stealth

Ultra-Lightweight 9-Spoke Wheels

Wheel Finish – Dark Stealth

Tyres – Pirelli P ZERO TROFEO R

Interior:

Senna Seats in Regular Seat Size

McLaren Orange Contrast Stitch to Seat Pads

Bespoke Headrests Senna ‘SS’ Logo embroidered in Stone Grey

3-point seatbelt – McLaren Orange

6-point harness – Black

MSO Steering Wheel with McLaren Orange Alcantara Centre Band and McLaren Orange Contrast Stitch to Steering Wheel

Galvanic Grey finish to the interior

Bespoke key shells

x1 – VCF Gloss Key Shell with McLaren Orange pinstripe around the outer edge

x1- Chicane Effect key shell with McLaren Orange pinstripe

Bespoke dedication plaque – “XP01”

Branded Floor Mat set

MSO Sill Panel – MSO defined clear carbon fibre satin

Options:

Air Conditioning

Bowers & Wilkins 7 Speaker Audio System

McLaren Track Telemetry – App Only

Parking Sensors (front and rear)

Parking Sensors & Rear Parking Camera

Vehicle Tracking System

Warning Triangle & First Aid Kit

Battery Charger- Lithium Ion

MSO Push-to-Drink system

Full Specification:

8" touch screen

ADI navigation

Brake pad wear sensors front and rear

Cruise control + speed limiter

Eco start/Stop system with deactivation switch

Folding driver display with slim display mode

Race mode button

Stop/start button

2 keys with unlock / lock / open + mechanical key function

Alarm with tilt sensor

Electronic external door entry release button (both sides)

Electronic external door locking button (both sides)

Electronic immobiliser

Keyless entry and keyless start

Locking wheel nuts

Adaptive damping system

Dynamic stability control

Launch control

RaceActive Chassis control

Variable drift control (VDC)

4 rear piston forged aluminium calipers

6 front piston forged monobloc aluminium calipers

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Brake assist technology

Brake disc wipe technology

Carbon ceramic brakes

Driver and passenger airbags

Drivers knee airbag

Electronic parking brake

Fuel supply cut-off

Hill hold assist

McLaren orange brake callipers

Passenger knee airbag

Side airbags

Traction control

Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

2 USB ports

By McLaren Designer Alcantara upholstery

Carbon black Alcantara headlining

Composite door opening panel

Driver's side stowage in seat front pocket

Extended gear shift paddles - satin-finish visual carbon fibre

Front and rear structural floors

Interior bulkhead upper - satin-finish visual carbon fibre

Interior footwell lighting

Interior LED map lights with touch-sensitive operation x 2

Lightweight manual reach and rake adjust steering column

Machined from solid interior switches

Soft-close doors

Sun visors with driver and passenger vanity mirrors

Visible door gas struts - McLaren orange

Aluminium machined stocks

Automatic headlight levelling

Automatic LED daytime running lights

Automatic lights (in conjunction with rain-light sensor)

Carbon fibre exterior body panels

Carbon fibre monocage

Central high-mounted stop light (CHMSL)

Composite front crash beam integrated into bumper panel

Composite rear bumper beam including rear crash structure

Composite rear upper structure with integrated roll-cage

Composite windscreen surround

Dual front wipers with separate washer jets

Dual-function LED rear fog / reverse light

Electrically folding heated door mirrors (with dip in reverse functionality)

Elite Paint

Engine beautification - visible details through apertures

Exposed Engine Bay

Follow me home headlights

Front aluminium sub-frame

Front extruded aluminium crash structure

Full LED headlights with static adaptive functionality

Glass side window with McLaren F1 style half-height drop glass

LED rear lights

Lightweight thin glass windscreen

McLaren orange aero blades and fender

Rear aluminium engine frame

Rear reflectors and side markers

Rearview mirror

Sequential LED indicators

Twin-hinged McLaren F1-style carbon fibre dihedral doors

Interior brightwork - Zircon Brushed Aluminium

19" front 20" rear 9 spoke super ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels