McLaren has inaugurated its new carbon composites technology centre in Sheffield with a live showcase using two of its most extreme machines.
Held inside the new Yorkshire-based building, which will produce carbon fibre tubs for supercar manufacturer McLaren Automotive from 2019, the demonstration saw an appearance from the recently-revealed McLaren Senna supercar in front of a live audience.
The track-focused machine performed doughnuts to ‘christen’ the facility with fresh Pirelli rubber, while an MP4/5 Formula One car — piloted by Ayrton Senna in 1989 — sat alongside.
The event was the first time the public has had a glimpse inside the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC), which is set to become the first production facility for the manufacturer outside of Woking when it opens for business next year.
When the MCTC is fully operational, around 200 people will be employed at the production plant.
Mike Flewitt, McLaren Automotive chief executive, said:
“Today is an important and exciting milestone for everyone at McLaren Automotive, as well as a personal honour, to officially turn on the McLaren sign at what will be our McLaren Composites Technology Centre when it opens later this year.
“It marks the continued development of the current 2,100 strong company, and will bring new jobs to the Sheffield region which has a proud association with advanced materials; first with steel and now a future to look forward to with carbon fibre innovation and production for McLaren.”