McLaren has unveiled a unique tribute to one of its most legendary drivers, Ayrton Senna. The British automaker has revealed a one-off Senna hypercar adorned with a custom livery inspired by the late Formula 1 champion’s iconic helmet. This special edition, dubbed “Sempre Senna” (which translates to “Senna Always” in English), is part of a trio of cars celebrating the Brazilian-born racing icon.
Ayrton Senna, celebrated as one of the greatest race car drivers in history, competed in Formula 1 for a decade, winning three driver’s championships with McLaren. His career, tragically cut short by a fatal accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, left an indelible mark on motorsport.
The distinctive design of the one-off Senna hypercar incorporates the vibrant colors of the Brazilian flag—green, yellow, and blue—mirroring Senna’s helmet. Hand-painted by McLaren’s Special Operations team, the livery includes images of Senna on the car’s sides and a unique “double S” emblem on the hood and wing endplates. Inside, the car features a black-and-yellow interior, Senna’s signature, and a quote reflecting his philosophy: “I have no idols. I admire work, dedication and competence.”
This tribute hypercar is a pre-production model from McLaren’s heritage collection. While specific performance details weren’t disclosed, the road-going Senna hypercar is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine, delivering 789 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.
Although there are no current plans to sell this special edition, its unique livery and historical significance could potentially drive its value far beyond the original Senna’s $900,000 price tag. It wouldn’t be surprising if it eventually fetched more than the $1.4 million price of the track-only Senna GTR.
The Sempre Senna livery will also grace the McLaren MCL38 race cars competing in this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. McLaren hopes that a touch of Senna’s legendary skill might inspire drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as they navigate the historic and challenging circuit.
Steven Symes