LEGO and Formula 1 star Lando Norris team up for ambitious project

As a LEGO enthusiast who has just stumbled upon this fascinating story, I find myself utterly captivated by Kasper Rasmussen’s incredible journey. His personal connection to the LEGO Technic Ultimate McLaren P1 is evident in every word he speaks, and it’s not hard to see why.

LEGO collaborated with F1 driver Lando Norris on an exciting venture: he navigated a full-sized LEGO Technic vehicle on the legendary Silverstone race track.

At the beginning of August, LEGO unveiled their Ultimate Technic P1 model, which is an intricate 3,893-piece recreation of McLaren’s renowned P1 hybrid sports car.

Subsequently, the two entities embarked on a remarkable project, taking inspiration from the “build for reality” philosophy of LEGO Technic. They endeavored to construct a full-scale replica of the McLaren P1 using LEGO Technic pieces, capable of navigating one of the world’s most renowned and technically challenging racetracks.

In the video shared by LEGO and McLaren, Lando commented, “I found the handling quite satisfactory,” as he recounted his experience of taking the car around Silverstone’s track. “At Copse, I took it flat out, causing the wing mirrors to sway slightly!

“I was like, ‘Oh, I’d better – I should stay off the kerbs here. It’s mint!”

During a fast-paced ride in the car, Lando commented that it handled quite well, and near the end of the ride, he mentioned he was aiming for “the minimum path” and “touching the curbs lightly” as he tested the car’s limits.

As a gaming enthusiast, I had the privilege of being one of the select few granted early access to witness the completed car at Silverstone a couple of days prior to Lando taking it for a spin.

Buy LEGO Technic’s Ultimate McLaren P1

This unique vehicle is designed with the drivetrain, braking system, wheels, and tires from the McLaren P1 car as its foundation. The remaining structure consists of 342,817 LEGO Technic blocks, and 11 specific elements were molded exclusively for this exceptional creation.

The design of the life-size LEGO vehicle is optimised for rigidity and strength, while also keeping the car’s weight to a minimum (its total weight is around 1,220 kilograms).

Equipped with both an electric vehicle battery and LEGO Technic function batteries, this full-scale LEGO supercar is engineered for speeds ranging from 50-60 kilometers per hour.

This vehicle is the initial LEGO large construction model with fully operable steering, making it capable of navigating turns. As a result, Lando managed to circle Silverstone completely for the first time ever with this model.

23 experts from both LEGO and McLaren collaborated on constructing the vehicle, investing a total of 8,344 hours in design and assembly, transforming the real-life LEGO McLaren P1 from concept to reality.

Kasper Rene Hansen, the lead designer for LEGO Technic’s McLaren P1 model, expressed astonishment upon seeing the full-scale vehicle for the very first time, as he shared with Digital Spy.

A few weeks back, I could only view it in pictures, which made me eager to witness it in person and even drive it. When they finally displayed it here, my reaction was something like, ‘Wow, oh wow!’ It was an amazing sensation.

Following a presentation of the car near Silverstone’s Hamilton Straight pitlane, Jonathan Beaumont, McLaren Automotive’s senior vehicle engineering manager, shared his thoughts with us: “It’s simply incredible to me.

This engineering masterpiece truly embodies the look of a P1, don’t you agree? It’s evident that they’ve poured their skills and expertise into this project.

Jonathan mentioned that the full-scale car design had been an integral part of the plan from the beginning, serving as the ultimate test by letting someone drive the P1. This is a first for LEGO and for McLaren, marking the creation of their first drivable, lap-time-setting full-size vehicle.

“That was set out very early on, and part of the engineering brief as we worked through it.”

So, what challenges were there when creating a life-size, drivable LEGO car?

Jonathan mentioned that the primary component was the power system, and even though McLaren wasn’t part of its specification, “What we did contribute was conducting some simulation testing for them. Our goal was to demonstrate, based on the power and weight they possess, that their vehicle could successfully complete a lap at Silverstone.

He mentioned that wind resistance at the intended maximum speed of 50 kilometers per hour was equally important, pointing out “many members of the LEGO engineering team have been focusing on aspects such as the adjustable rear wing when dealing with winds.

Although it won’t be possible to own a life-sized LEGO P1 for your personal use (as it will likely find a permanent place after its tour, probably in a LEGO-themed structure), you can instead bring home a 1:8 scaled replica of the original McLaren supercar.

The most recent creation, a result of the 9-year-long partnership between LEGO and McLaren, is the intricate 3,893-piece LEGO Ultimate Technic P1. It boasts numerous thoughtful features such as a functioning seven-speed gearbox, complete with a paddle-shifting system situated behind the steering wheel.

Jonathan shared with us that the selection of this vehicle for the project was particularly fitting as it represents a distinctive and symbolic automobile for the McLaren brand. He further explained that since this is the initial model within LEGO’s Ultimate series, there was no other suitable option than the P1.

At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, McLaren introduced one of the earliest supercars to utilize hybrid technology – the P1. Interestingly, this model was produced in a small quantity, with only 375 units manufactured worldwide. To delve deeper into the true tale of this car’s history, you can explore further here.

Beyond being a part of the LEGO Technic’s Ultimate collection showcasing famous global supercars, the P1 also belongs to McLaren’s top-tier Ultimate Series, which is the automaker’s premium lineup.

Jonathan told us that a highlight of the whole project was when he went to visit the life-size LEGO P1 at the brand’s production facility in Kladno, near Prague.

He recollected how it felt to transition from merely observing something online while working collaboratively, to physically sitting inside the car itself.

As a devoted enthusiast, I carried along some cherished elements that remind me of the authentic racing spirit, most notably, the iconic steering wheel. Interestingly, due to the design and construction of this vehicle, sitting behind the wheel feels uncannily similar to being in a Le Mans Prototype 1 – an exhilarating sensation that never fails to ignite my passion for speed!

The seats resemble LEGO blocks; they’ve designed the entire center console with an intricate detail that mirrors a supercar like the P1.

In a demonstration of the LEGO Technic model to reporters, Kasper affirmed it’s the initial release with a seven-speed transmission system. Notably, the wheel hubs, inspired by McLaren’s design, are exclusive to this particular kit.

He continued, ‘What’s great is that the remaining parts can be utilized in other projects by different models. That’s the essence of LEGO – disassemble a model, invent something new, foster creativity, and learn through play. It’s all about experimentation.’

Additionally, this model features spring-activated door operation systems, along with other movable components such as the rear wing, suspension, and steering system. Powering it all is a versatile V8 engine capable of switching between traditional fuel use and hybrid operation modes.

Just like Kasper showed with his complete LEGO Technic McLaren P1 replica, you too can swing open the back shell cover, similar to how it works in the actual vehicle.

Kasper approximated that the construction process would be roughly between 12 and 16 hours if you are accustomed to LEGO Technic. In response, McLaren Automotive’s chief design officer Tobias Sühlmann playfully commented: “Oh, for you it will only take a maximum of 8 hours!

Kasper mentioned during the product demonstration that he had constructed and refurbished the model multiple times, with the aim of ensuring a seamless and efficient building process. He emphasized that this repeated testing plays a crucial role in the entire product development phase.

Apart from being lucky, he got the opportunity to take a spin in a genuine McLaren P1 supercar at the renowned McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. He described this unforgettable encounter to DS as “simply incredible.

“When I was sitting in the real car, I couldn’t imagine it was happening!” he recalled to us.

During his initial trip to the MTC, he couldn’t catch sight of the car because it was still at the factory. However, upon his second visit, they took the vehicle out and offered him a drive, saying, “Here, Kasper, let’s take a spin in the car.

He went on to explain, “It feels like you’re personally donning the vehicle.” You get quite cozy, practically sitting next to the driver… and when you shut the doors firmly, it’s as if you’ve stepped into a surprisingly compact, intimate space.

“And then the engine starts, then you feel the pressure from behind you. That feeling – wow!'”

Kasper also liked taking strolls along the boulevard at MTC to check out the Formula One racers, luxury sports cars, and their electric or hybrid counterparts.

In relation to their mutual enthusiasm, he remarked, “Furthermore, upon presenting this design to them, they were astounded by the intricacy of the Technic model. On our end, we were equally impressed by the authenticity of the actual vehicles.

1) He highly praised the assistance, guidance, and constructive feedback from his McLaren coworkers, attributing it to their mutual enthusiasm for design, engineering, technology, as well as the thrill of a good challenge.

As a LEGO enthusiast myself, I can certainly appreciate the significance of the unboxing experience. It’s not just about setting up for construction; it’s about savoring that ‘wow’ moment from the instant you open the box, all the way through to the completion of my models.

Once he’s almost done with his design work, it’s then when the packaging design team begins brainstorming ways to showcase the car, both on the box and the contents within, using a digital model. Kasper mentioned that this team puts in an extensive amount of time, contributing significantly to the overall process for a LEGO Technic set.

During the grand reveal of the full-scale vehicle at Silverstone, Jonathan shared some insights about his longstanding affection for LEGO toys, an interest that ignited in his childhood years.

He stated that his intention behind the LEGO Technic version of McLaren’s P1 is to spark curiosity in the field of engineering overall. Being deeply involved in the automotive industry, it’s clear he aims to inspire people through this project.

For me, the essential approach lies in fostering the automotive sector. If it means creating LEGO models and motivating future engineers, then I wholeheartedly support that strategy.

As an enthusiast, I can’t contain my excitement about the LEGO Technic Ultimate McLaren P1! This beauty is currently up for grabs at a price of £389.99 in the UK and $449.99 in the US. So, if you’re ready to add this masterpiece to your collection, now’s the time to act!

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2024-09-12 14:50