Woking, a commuter town located 20 miles southwest of London, has never been considered a desirable destination. Overshadowed by nearby Guildford, its notable features include the largest cemetery in the UK, the country’s first crematorium, a football team that once made it to the fourth round of the FA Cup, and a branch of PizzaExpress that was involved in a royal scandal. Recently, the town center has been marred by the construction of three inappropriate skyscrapers, including one referred to locally as “the Fish Finger.” These skyscrapers were the result of a misguided project by Conservative councillors, which has accumulated nearly £2 billion in debt. I can speak ill of my hometown because I know it well.
However, amidst the unattractiveness of Woking, there is one place that stands out as a symbol of glamour, excitement, and excellence. Tucked away in the outskirts of town, surrounded by woods and heathland, is the headquarters of the Formula 1 team McLaren. From an aerial perspective, the McLaren Technology Centre resembles a yin-yang symbol, with one side consisting of a futuristic steel and glass building, and the other side featuring an artificial lake that helps cool the entire facility. A public footpath passes within close proximity to the lake, allowing glimpses of this space-age structure. Designed by Norman Foster and inaugurated by the Queen in 2004, the building’s facade curves gracefully around the lake, reflecting its image. The overhanging roof is even rounded like the leading edge of an aircraft wing. However, despite the lack of visible fences or security signs, the public has never been permitted to enter the premises. Ron Dennis, who led McLaren to numerous Formula 1 championships during his 35 years of leadership, always emphasized the exclusivity and mystique of the building. It was used to impress commercial partners and VIP guests, and as a reward for those who purchased McLaren supercars, inviting them to collect their cars in person. Unfortunately, the planned public museum was never realized.
Finally, there has been a change of heart. Starting next month, McLaren will begin offering regular public tours for the first time, thanks to a partnership with GetYourGuide, a German-based online platform offering a wide range of unique experiences. GetYourGuide is known for providing special access to various attractions, such as exclusive tours or after-hours visits. The demand for sports-related experiences has been on the rise, and McLaren’s headquarters is considered the “Sistine Chapel of motorsport,” according to Jean-Gabriel Duveau from GetYourGuide. As a preview of what’s to come, I had the opportunity to join a pre-opening tour. We were picked up at the security gate in a minibus and driven along a scenic road that follows the outer edge of the lake, as if the building’s occupants were given the chance to observe the curious visitors to their high-tech sanctuary. Once inside, the silence was striking, with everything meticulously clean and color-coordinated in silver, white, and grey. Ron Dennis described it as “90% Nasa, 10% Disneyland,” which explains why it was used as a filming location for the Star Wars series “Andor”.
The tour began with a grand introduction by our guide, Kris Lawton, who spoke of witnessing visitors reduced to tears upon entering the building. We descended in a circular glass elevator, designed to mimic an engine’s piston, and entered the Boulevard, a spacious two-story area that stretches the length of the building. It showcases a collection of McLaren’s most iconic cars. The tour started with a tiny 1929 Austin 7, the only non-McLaren vehicle on display. It was originally purchased in pieces by New Zealander Les McLaren in the 1950s. He initially planned to rebuild and sell it for a profit, but his son, Bruce McLaren, convinced him to keep it and use it for racing. Together, they tuned the car to reach a top speed of 87mph, and Bruce even learned to drive in it on a makeshift circuit in their family orchard. When Les was unable to participate in a race due to gallstones, 15-year-old Bruce took his place and won the race. Bruce went on to become a professional driver and engineer, founding McLaren in 1963. The Boulevard also showcases various Formula 1 cars and road-going supercars, representing McLaren’s achievements over the past 60 years. Among them is a car made entirely of 468,000 Lego pieces.
While admiring the cars, we were cautioned not to photograph the activities in the glass-enclosed rooms behind us. One room contained the latest models being prepared for shipment to Canada for an upcoming race, while another showcased engineers molding carbon to create updated parts for the cars. Surprisingly, the process was hands-on, resembling a Michelin-starred kitchen rather than a robotic production line. Beyond the cars and technology, the tour also highlighted the human stories and inherent dangers of motorsport. Among the cars exhibited, there was a 1970 M8D, a Can-Am car painted in bright “papaya orange” colors. This car was the twin of the one Bruce McLaren was testing at Goodwood in 1970 when the rear bodywork detached, causing the car to spin out of control and fatally crash into a nearby building. Another notable car was the MP4/8, driven by Ayrton Senna to his final Formula 1 victory in the 1993 Adelaide Grand Prix, before his tragic death six months later.
Since 1992, McLaren has not only focused on Formula 1 racing but also the production of road cars. The tour continued through the McLaren Technology Centre, where the world’s largest collection of motorsport trophies is displayed. The tour then led us through an underground tunnel to the McLaren Production Centre, built in 2011. Upon stepping onto the balcony overlooking the factory floor, an impressive sight of engineers working on supercars in various vibrant colors awaited. Once the cars are completed, they undergo a “monsoon test” in which they are drenched with 1,000 liters of water per minute.
For Formula 1 enthusiasts, supercar aficionados, and Top Gear enthusiasts, the McLaren tour is undeniably thrilling. But what does McLaren gain from permitting groups of up to 20 people to visit their temple nine times a year? According to Lindsey Eckhouse, McLaren’s director of licensing, the decision to make the tour more inclusive was driven by Zak Brown, the chief executive who joined the company in 2018. With the increasing popularity of the Netflix series Drive to Survive, which has attracted 470 million fans worldwide, McLaren seeks to leverage its digital channels to provide insight into the inner workings of the company. Offering public tours is the next step in this endeavor.
While the concept of inclusivity in a tour may seem contradictory, McLaren’s move to open its doors to the public represents a step towards greater accessibility and transparency in the world of motorsport.
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