McLaren Automotive is known for its continuous pursuit of light weighting technology. Following that thread, a must-have item for McLaren fans, racers and track-day drivers alike, is the Sparco McLaren SP16+, a race suit designed like no other. With the whole suit weighing at least 10 percent less than any other, the Sparco McLaren SP16+ is the lightest race suit approved by the FIA – ‘Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile’ – at just 1.3lbs (size 52).
Weight optimization has defined McLaren cars for more than half a century. Equally, for the past 40 years, it has been the guiding passion for Sparco – a company synonymous with motorsport safety and style. In a unique partnership, these two pioneering companies have joined forces to combine their innovative, weight-saving technologies to create the lightest race suit in the world.
Worn by McLaren F1 Racing Team drivers since 2016, this ground-breaking suit can now be ordered by McLaren Automotive customers.
As with the Formula 1 race suits, the Sparco McLaren SP16+ is entirely hand-made in Italy, each taking more than 12 hours to complete. Just like McLaren’s spectacular road cars, the suit can be personalized to order, with a selection of bespoke colors and options including side pockets, phone pocket and belt. Extending the McLaren journey, the customer will get the opportunity to match his or her suit to the livery of their race team or any other designs.
During development, every last detail was subject to intense scrutiny by Sparco in a technical program as demanding as that followed by McLaren’s vehicle engineers. Fashioned with meticulous precision, the SP16+ features an ultra-slim zip, seamless Nomex wrists and ankles, reduced neck and shoulder pads and ultra-thin thread for the stitching, all of which have all played their weight-saving role, some decreasing the suit’s mass by mere micrograms at a time. A special two-layer construction of fireproof material reduces weight even further, while ensuring the garment remains exceptionally breathable and comfortable to wear.
Like McLaren, Sparco was founded by racing drivers with a passion to advance their sport. Determined to revolutionize driver safety in Formula 1, the drivers from Turin introduced their first fireproof suit in 1977. In the 41 years since, they have constantly innovated to combine the highest safety standards with the distinctive Italian style for which Sparco products are renowned worldwide, ensuring the perfect marriage with McLaren’s inimitable, high-performance cars.
The Sparco McLaren SP16+ race suit costs from £2,344 plus taxes. Bespoke options at an additional cost start from £250 plus taxes.
Featured items worn by Bruno Senna (with UK RRP)
The McLaren Track Wear range starts from £30.00 plus taxes with the McLaren Shield RW-9 Underwear Balaclava at £30.00 plus taxes.
Further items are available to complement the Sparco McLaren SP16+ race suit:
McLaren Bell HP7 Helmet: £2,568.00 plus taxes;
McLaren SP16 Race Suit: from £2,344.00 plus taxes;
Bespoke McLaren Shield RW-9 Underwear Top: £155.00 plus taxes;
McLaren RB-8 Racing Shoes (Smooth Leather): £232.00 plus taxes;
McLaren RG-7 Racing Gloves (Grey – available in black): £224.00 plus taxes.
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Notes to Editors:
A selection of high resolution images accompanying this release is available to download from the McLaren Automotive media site – cars.mclaren.press
About McLaren Automotive:
McLaren Automotive is a creator of luxury, high-performance sportscars and supercars.
Every vehicle is hand-assembled at the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, Surrey, England.
Launched in 2010, the company is now the largest part of the McLaren Group.
The company has three defined product families: Sports Series, Super Series and Ultimate Series which are retailed through over 80 retailers in 30 markets around the world.
McLaren is a pioneer that continuously pushes the boundaries. In 1981, it introduced lightweight and strong carbon fibre chassis into Formula 1 with the McLaren MP4/1. Then in 1993 it designed and built the McLaren F1 road car – the company has not built a car without a carbon fibre chassis since. As part of the Ultimate Series, McLaren was the first to deliver a hybrid hypercar, the McLaren P1™.
Announced at Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2018, the company’s Track25 business plan will see it invest £1.2billion in research and development to deliver 18 new cars or derivatives by the end of 2025.
2017 saw the company launch further models including the second-generation Super Series, the 570S Spider and the McLaren Senna. In 2018, the company launched the 600LT and the McLaren Speedtail, the next Ultimate Series and McLaren’s first ever Hyper-GT of which only 106 will be produced.
To support the development, engineering and manufacture of its range of innovative sportscars and supercars, McLaren Automotive partners with world leading companies to provide specialist expertise and technology. These include AkzoNobel, Kenwood, Pirelli and Richard Mille.
McLaren Group:
The McLaren Group is a global leader in luxury automotive and technology and comprises three businesses: Automotive, Racing and Applied Technologies.