One of the benefits of being a Formula One driver is a steady supply of cool company cars. Back in 2019, a fresh-faced Lando Norris took delivery of an orange McLaren 570S. Four years later, the F1 ace has upgraded to a 765LT Spider.
Norris collected his car from the futuristic McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey. The 765LT Spider has been modified by McLaren’s in-house MSO division to the 23-year-old driver’s exact spec, including body panels in blue-tinted visual carbon fibre and bright ‘Lando Yellow’ highlights. An ‘LN’ monogram is embossed onto the headrests of the blue Alcantara seats.
This unique Spider is one of 765 cars made, all of which have now been sold. “I’ve been able to drive a lot of different McLarens, but this is the first car that I’ve designed – this is me in a car,” said Norris.
“I’m a carbon lover, the more carbon I can have, the better. But I didn’t want to have my logo everywhere, I wanted something a bit more subtle and MSO has done a fantastic job to realise my vision.”
Along came a Spider
McLaren launched the 765LT – a harder, faster version of the 720S – in 2020, then the Spider version followed in 2022. It’s the latest in a ‘Longtail’ bloodline that stretches right back to the McLaren F1.
Powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, the 765LT Spider can hit 62mph in a blistering 2.8 seconds. Our review said: ‘The 4.0-litre V8 actually feels a little flat below 3,000rpm, but then it takes off like a lit firework. You’re pinned into the seat, involuntarily holding your breath, fingertips on the right paddle as you watch the change-up lights then grab the next gear. It’s intense.
‘Thankfully, at least for your licence’s sake, the LT is also engaging at sensible speeds. Its hydraulic steering – with a slower ratio for the Spider – is alive with constant feedback, while impressive visibility helps you place it precisely and use every inch of road.’
Compared with Lando’s McLaren MCL60 daily-driver, a 765LT Spider probably feels quite tame. But as a road car, it’s as wild and exhilarating as they come.
From racetrack to road
The MCL60 has come up short from the outset of this season, with McLaren fans left disappointed by its performance. In truth, they may need to look to 2024, as it will be next month before the team’s new wind tunnel is installed and further development can truly take place.
Away from the track, as 765LT production winds down, the men and women of Woking are turning their attention to the new 750S: the lightest and most powerful series-production McLaren ever made. Read our full preview for all the details
The 750S will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer. Will Lando Norris be there to pull the covers off – or perhaps do a flat-out demo run up the famous Goodwood hillclimb? Don’t bet against it.
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