Has anyone done the McLaren HQ tour?
Discussion
I've spent a fair bit of time there as a (minor) supplier and seen most of it - as an engineer, my slightly jaded view is that's it a factory much like any other. With some shiny bits at the front.
If you do get the chance, I think my suggestion would be to have some specific ideas about what you want to see and make sure it's agreed with your host beforehand, obviously anything F1 related is gonna be tough to see.
If you do get the chance, I think my suggestion would be to have some specific ideas about what you want to see and make sure it's agreed with your host beforehand, obviously anything F1 related is gonna be tough to see.
Yes I did it last year (on that really hot 40c day we had).
George (heads up VI{ experience at McLaren) took us round. You spend a lot of time on the boulevard where they talk you through all the different cars, take you through to where all the trophies are and then they take you up to view the production centre where you only view it from a platform. It's basically a giant hall with the different production lines.
I would say it lasts for maybe 2-3 Hours.
You don't get to see much F1 stuff and obviously no camera for any of it .
George (heads up VI{ experience at McLaren) took us round. You spend a lot of time on the boulevard where they talk you through all the different cars, take you through to where all the trophies are and then they take you up to view the production centre where you only view it from a platform. It's basically a giant hall with the different production lines.
I would say it lasts for maybe 2-3 Hours.
You don't get to see much F1 stuff and obviously no camera for any of it .
TBCTBC said:
Yes, did it a few years ago.
The tour is worth while but you only saw the production line from afar - unsure if that's changed.
At the end they presented me with a Mclaren book as well which was a nice touch.
We went down onto the production line when I went. That was about 6 years ago with Bruce McLaren’s daughter - not sure if that makes any difference.The tour is worth while but you only saw the production line from afar - unsure if that's changed.
At the end they presented me with a Mclaren book as well which was a nice touch.
PianoManYork said:
TBCTBC said:
Yes, did it a few years ago.
The tour is worth while but you only saw the production line from afar - unsure if that's changed.
At the end they presented me with a Mclaren book as well which was a nice touch.
We went down onto the production line when I went. That was about 6 years ago with Bruce McLaren’s daughter - not sure if that makes any difference.The tour is worth while but you only saw the production line from afar - unsure if that's changed.
At the end they presented me with a Mclaren book as well which was a nice touch.
Of no relevance but I used to do tours for the original F1 owners back in the mid late 90s and the Grand Prix cars were very much part of the experience especially if they firing up the engines. Happy days. Way smaller group of people back then and most people knew everybody within the facilities then.
I spent a day there a few years back, I represented a partner company, I was allowed to wander about as I wanted, seeing the trophy wall, display cars, a few visible F1 prep areas which was very interesting and the odd engineering area, had a brief official tour too but was lead to believe its not a thing as such, it was generally invite only.
Got a few great photos.
Got a few great photos.
andrew said:
PianoManYork said:
TBCTBC said:
Yes, did it a few years ago.
The tour is worth while but you only saw the production line from afar - unsure if that's changed.
At the end they presented me with a Mclaren book as well which was a nice touch.
We went down onto the production line when I went. That was about 6 years ago with Bruce McLaren’s daughter - not sure if that makes any difference.The tour is worth while but you only saw the production line from afar - unsure if that's changed.
At the end they presented me with a Mclaren book as well which was a nice touch.
I've been a few times by invitation.
The best one was for an F1 event with Hamilton when I was picked up from Woking Station by the driver who it seems thought I was one of the visiting F1 engineers and instead of taking me to the main entrance dropped me off at one of the 'pods' where staff go in. So I went down the long Star Wars corridor to the glass lift at the end trying to find my way to reception. Got in the lift and went up two floors to the mezzanine. Walked round and found myself outside Ron Dennis's office...(he wasn't there). Turned around, walked along the balcony to the lift, down one level to reception where I should have been all along!
It was pretty funny at the time considering the secrecy in F1 could all be f
ked up by a driver who misunderstood my reason for visiting.
The best one was for an F1 event with Hamilton when I was picked up from Woking Station by the driver who it seems thought I was one of the visiting F1 engineers and instead of taking me to the main entrance dropped me off at one of the 'pods' where staff go in. So I went down the long Star Wars corridor to the glass lift at the end trying to find my way to reception. Got in the lift and went up two floors to the mezzanine. Walked round and found myself outside Ron Dennis's office...(he wasn't there). Turned around, walked along the balcony to the lift, down one level to reception where I should have been all along!
It was pretty funny at the time considering the secrecy in F1 could all be f
ked up by a driver who misunderstood my reason for visiting.
12 years since I last went as part of a sponsorship event as I worked for their title sponsor, funny how things have changed. The then brand new to the world MP4-12C on a rotating display behind a window. No other road cars produced then so McLaren F1's and F1 cars the main display. Still the same corridors filled with old F1 cars. Although a couple of the lines look much more polished than the nooks and crannies they were squeezed in when I went.
Apologies if it's less relevant but I found it interesting looking back
Didnt appreciate it at the time but I think that's a body off MP4-12C tucked away at the back there
Same corridor as in Meps photo above, but very different cars & layout
Apologies if it's less relevant but I found it interesting looking back
Didnt appreciate it at the time but I think that's a body off MP4-12C tucked away at the back there
Same corridor as in Meps photo above, but very different cars & layout
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