McLaren Expansion Approval Includes New In-House F1 Test Rig

McLaren has secured planning approval for a factory extension at its Woking headquarters, adding a new in-house test rig for its Formula 1 team. The updated plans modify a 2025 approval, with the 143-square-meter rig to be built under the existing south-east roof canopy. The facility aims to support McLaren's continued F1 growth and operational needs, addressing capacity limits at the current McLaren Technology Centre.

Why it matters:

With on-track running heavily restricted, test rigs have become critical for F1 development. An in-house rig allows McLaren to run gearbox, dyno, and other subsystem tests on-site, reducing reliance on external partners like AVL in Austria. This accelerates development cycles and improves efficiency.

The details:

• Planning officers approved an updated application including the test rig and an external condenser for its operations.
• The rig will be built beneath the existing roof canopy; work must begin within three years.
• McLaren previously shipped its MCL40 to AVL's test rig facilities in Austria for pre-season sign-off, a common practice according to team principal Andrea Stella.
• The new facility will complement existing tools at the McLaren Technology Centre, enabling more frequent and convenient testing.

What's next:

The in-house capability positions McLaren to iterate more rapidly on car performance, a key advantage as the team aims to maintain its competitive edge. The three-year timeline ensures the rig will be operational well within the current regulatory cycle.