The McLaren Senna bearing chassis number 001 was presented to owner David Kyte by McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt, in ceremony at the McLaren Technology Centre. McLaren Special Operations finished the paintwork in a Striking Anniversary White with Aurora Blue livery as a bespoke design. ‘Senna 001’ departed for the south of France with three other McLaren Sennas, a McLaren 720S and a McLaren 600LT. The convoy of supercars, whose drivers included racing driver and nephew of Ayrton Senna, Bruno Senna. 

“Handing over the key to the first customer McLaren Senna built was an honour for me and a milestone for the company,” commented McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt. Mr David Kyte is a longstanding McLaren enthusiast and with true passion for the brand, is a proud owner of a number of McLarens to prove it. Mike futher states to the innumerable conversations with Mr Kyte about the car he has now taken delivery of it as both believe that the McLaren Senna is already incredible in every aspect. The additional work that David has commissioned from McLaren Special Operations has taken ‘Senna 001’ to another level.

Finished in McLaren Special Operations Anniversary White with striking livery painted in MSO Aurora Blue and the Senna brand displayed on the wing endplate, the bespoke McLaren Senna also features roof ‘snorkel’, T-Bar and fuel filler cover in MSO Satin Visual Carbon Fibre; brake calipers painted in MSO Bespoke Burton Blue; and MSO Bespoke Coloured Centre Lock wheel nuts in Volcano Red. The paintwork alone took more than 600 hours to complete, two paint specialists devoting two weeks to ‘masking-up’ the car before the livery was applied.

‘Senna 001’ is further personalised with individual references to the legendary Ayrton Senna: his signature is on the door shut, the years that he was Formula One World Champion are engraved on the throttle pedal and the layout of the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo, Brazil with the McLaren badge marking the start/finish line is clearly visible on the front of the car. The interior has also been enhanced by McLaren Special Operations to Mr Kyte’s requirements, with MSO Bespoke interior trim in black Alcantara complemented by diamond-stitching on the seats and a Senna ‘S’ logo embroidered on each headrest, all in Harissa Red. Black carpet with Harissa Red Alcantara® piping and decorative stitch, Volcano Red door struts and red-tinted carbon fibre control surrounds complete the personalisation. The vehicle keys are also in red-tinted carbon.

Mr Kyle explains that his commitment towards the purchase of a McLaren Senna was immediate, as soon as he became aware that McLaren was developing the car so long before the name was confirmed. But leaving the McLaren Technology Centre after the handover ceremony was the first time when he drove the masterpiece. Now, with 1,400km covered he is delighted to report that as someone who rates driver engagement as crucial to driver enjoyment, the Senna has more than exceeded my expectations.

He further states that working with McLaren Special Operations on the bespoke design of the car was a fascinating experience. MSO has undertaken personalisation on other McLarens he own, but this was a much more complex project. The original inspiration for the livery was to trace the way that the air flows over the body but they decided on a more stylised design, with which he is absolutely delighted about. He absolutely adores the features on his car that are almost hidden, such as the details honouring Ayrton Senna and the McLaren ‘Speedy Kiwi’ on each side, on which he concludes : "I am extremely proud to call, ‘my Senna".