Lego and McLaren have teamed up to create an extraordinary full-scale replica of the P1 hyper car using Lego Technic pieces. To showcase this remarkable creation, Formula 1 driver Lando Norris took the Lego P1 for a lap around the iconic Silverstone circuit.
The project was a massive undertaking, involving 342,817 Lego pieces and requiring 8,344 hours of work. This stunning hyper car creation came from a dedicated team of 23 professionals, including designers, engineers, and builders.
Despite its impressive size, the Lego P1 weighs approximately 2,690 pounds, making it about 600 pounds lighter than its real-world counterpart.
The video footage suggests that a genuine EV powertrain is hidden beneath the Lego exterior. However, McLaren has not released any performance figures for this unique creation.
One of the most notable features of this Lego masterpiece is its fully functional steering system, a first for Lego in a large-scale build. This innovation allowed Norris to navigate the 3.66-mile Silverstone track with precision.
While details about the powertrain are limited, McLaren has confirmed that the Lego P1 is equipped with an electric motor. The power source combines Lego Technic Function batteries with an actual electric car battery, hinting at a hybrid approach to bring this plastic marvel to life.
Here is a snapshot of the some interesting facts from the McLaren press release.
- 393 different LEGO Technic elements were used
- 11 of the elements were custom moulded just for this project
- Dimensions are based on the real car size
- There are 8 motor packs each contains 96 LEGO Power function motors
- This is the first time a Formula One racing driver has driven a life size LEGO car
- It is the first time a LEGO scale build has been able to turn corners and complete a racetrack lap
Despite the lack of official lap times, it’s safe to assume that this was likely Norris’s slowest circuit of Silverstone to date. But it is not the speed that really matters here, it is the amazing engineering that went into this project.
The Silverstone racetrack is a complex track that features lots of turns and twists that can make a challenge for any car. It is only more difficult for one made from LEGOs. But, Norris took the challenge like a champ and completed the lap.
When he completed the lap he stated, “It felt like a car. Like, actually, the steering I thought was pretty good.”
This collaboration between Lego and McLaren showcases the potential of combining cutting-edge automotive technology with the beloved building block system, resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind driving experience.
While this is the first venture between McLaren and Lego, it is not the first time Lego has done a build of this type. In 2018, Lego released a Bugatti scale build that used more than one million Technic bricks.
We cannot wait to see what they come up with next!
