McLaren and Lego have a long history of partnerships, and the unlikely duo have teamed up to create several extremely complicated kits, including 1:8 scale versions of the Senna GTR and the MCL36 F1 race car.
But now, the relationship has been taken to the next level, with a 1:1 Lego replica of the famous P1 arriving on the scene, using a staggering 342,817 Lego Technic pieces (yes, someone counted), as well as a combination of Technic batteries and a small EV battery to power it.
Far from simply being a jaw-dropping model for crowds to gawk at, McLaren and Lego engineers set out to create eight motor packs, each made up of 96 Lego Power-enabled motors, meaning the car features a total of 768 Lego motors, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 40mph.
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That's not bad, especially considering the fact that the whole thing weighs 1,220kg, which is only around 200kg lighter than the actual McLaren P1, complete with big, fat twin-turbo V8 and hybrid system fitted.
It took the 23 Lego and McLaren specialists, who braved a series of dull, rainy days, 8,344 hours of development and construction to complete – although there is no indication of how many cups of tea and chocolate biscuits they consumed.
To prove that the 1:1 replica really works, the team put McLaren Formula 1 driver Lando Norris in the hot seat and asked him to do a quick lap of the famous Silverstone race circuit (above), where the car completed the 3.66 miles without falling apart.
Brick by brick boring
As far as advertising goes, this is one of the most complex we've ever seen. Despite having the wheels, steering wheel and steel chassis of the original, the rest of the build is made from Technic elements, including 11 that were moulded specifically for this model.
It's true that it's designed to help sell more of its 1:8 scale Lego Technic McLaren P1 model sets ($449.99 / £389.99 / €449.99 / AU$699.99, if you're interested) before Christmas, but it's also a testament to how seriously the guys at Technic take their models.
Even tackling the 1:8 McLaren P1 kit is a task in itself, as it consists of 3,893 parts that create a seven-speed gearbox, a piston V8 engine and a working suspension, among others.
It is not known whether Lego will release the instruction manual for the 1:1 scale model, which is a shame as it seems like the cheapest way to get your hands on a P1.
