McLaren unveils statue of founder

Bruce’s daughter Amanda unveiled the statue during a short private ceremony at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, UK, on 2 June. Additionally, 50 candles were placed around the championship-winning 1970 McLaren M8D in the company’s collection, representing the 50 years since his passing.

Bruce McLaren was just 32 years old when he was killed in an accident at the Goodwood circuit on 2 June, 1970, while testing a sister car to the Can-Am champion M8D.

“When my father died in June 1970 – just 12 years after coming to the UK from New Zealand – he had already done so much to realise his ambitions, but the best was still to come. McLaren’s accomplishments over more than 50 years in Formula 1, the landmark victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans race and the supercars and hypercars designed, developed and built under the McLaren banner, all stand as his legacy,” said Amanda, who’s a McLaren Automotive Ambassador.

“June 2 is always an emotional date for us and that’s particularly true this year. Having ‘Dad’ looking out over McLaren is incredibly moving and I know that he would have been so very proud of the achievements made in his name.”

The bronze statue was created by painter and sculptor Paul Oz, who had previously been commissioned by McLaren to produce a statue of three-time Formula 1 World Champion with McLaren, Ayrton Senna. That statue is also in the McLaren Technology Centre.