Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4/6 1:18 Scale Model by AUTOart

Overview

We’ve been waiting a long time for the arrival of this particular model. Initially expected in 2023, it’s been delayed up until now (August 2025) for what we think could be licensing issues. The version with the “McLaren” logo in place of the “Marlboro” decal has been out for a while, but this blanked version is the one you want for a genuine representation of the actual car as raced in the 1991 Formula 1 season. The Marlboro decals don’t come as standard from the AUTOart factory, we took the liberty to include our own full Marlboro decal sheet for self-application. As with all AUTOart’s models now, this is a composite construction.

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List of Features

• Highly detailed interior and exterior
• Removable cowlings with stands
• Removable engine air intake
• Working wheels
• Ayrton Senna Packaging
• Marlboro decals included for self-application
• Officially licensed
• 1:18 scale (approximately 25cm long)
• Product Code: 89150

Vehicle Background

Overview

The McLaren MP4/6 is one of the most iconic Formula 1 cars of the early 1990s and is best remembered as the machine with which Ayrton Senna won the 1991 World Championship. Built by McLaren and powered by Honda, the MP4/6 combined advanced aerodynamics, strong reliability, and Senna’s brilliance behind the wheel to dominate much of the season.

Designed by Neil Oatley with contributions from Steve Nichols and others in the McLaren technical team, the MP4/6 made its debut at the start of the 1991 Formula 1 season and went on to secure both the Drivers’ Championship for Senna and the Constructors’ Championship for McLaren-Honda.

Performance

At the heart of the MP4/6 was the Honda RA121E V12 engine, a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre unit producing around 720 bhp at 13,500 rpm. This was Honda’s first V12 in Formula 1 and was developed to compete against the powerful V10s and V12s fielded by rival teams.

The car used a semi-automatic six-speed gearbox (later refined during the season) and carried a minimum weight of around 505 kg, as mandated by the regulations of the time.

Acceleration and outright speed were exceptional, with the car capable of over 320 km/h (199 mph) on long straights, depending on aerodynamic setup.

Design

The MP4/6 carried the familiar red-and-white Marlboro McLaren livery, one of the most recognisable liveries in motorsport history. Its aerodynamic design was an evolution of McLaren’s successful late-1980s concepts, with finely honed sidepods, a narrow monocoque, and a powerful diffuser to maximise downforce.

The car’s chassis was made from carbon-fibre composite, continuing McLaren’s pioneering use of the material in Formula 1. This gave it strength, rigidity, and lightness — qualities that contributed to its speed and durability across a long season.

Technology

While some rival teams were beginning to experiment with electronic driver aids such as traction control and active suspension, the MP4/6 remained a more traditional machine. It relied on Senna’s immense skill and feel for the car to extract maximum performance.

Honda’s V12 engine was praised for its smooth power delivery and reliability, though it was heavier than some competitors’ V10s. McLaren’s engineers worked tirelessly throughout the season to keep the car competitive against the rising challenge of Williams and Ferrari.

Race Achievements

The McLaren MP4/6 proved highly successful during the 1991 season. Key highlights included:

• Ayrton Senna won seven Grands Prix with the MP4/6, including victories in the United States, Brazil, and Hungary.
• The car secured a total of 10 pole positions across the season.
• McLaren-Honda clinched the Constructors’ Championship, while Senna earned his third and final Drivers’ Championship.

Perhaps the most memorable moment came at the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix, where Senna won his home race despite being stuck in sixth gear for much of the closing laps, a legendary drive that cemented his hero status.

Place in Formula 1 History

The MP4/6 marked the end of an era in Formula 1. It was the last car to win a championship with a V12 engine, as teams increasingly favoured lighter and more efficient V10s. It also represented the final peak of the McLaren-Honda partnership before the dominance of Williams-Renault began in the early 1990s.

Today, the McLaren MP4/6 is remembered not only for its technical excellence but also as the car that symbolised Ayrton Senna’s genius and fighting spirit in Formula 1.

Key Figures