McLaren technology centre and Innovate Global hosted a group of entrepreneurs at the globally renowned headquarters of McLaren in Woking, Surrey.
Designed by British architect Lord Norman Foster, the McLaren technology centre is a state-of-the-art facility, designed to encourage innovation and inspire every individual who works there. The environment is home to over 50 years of racing heritage and ‘top secret’ Formula 1 technology that allows McLaren engineers and designers to make the most exhilarating supercars in the world.
The entrepreneurs, drawn from drawn from a variety of industry sectors, including finance, technology, manufacturing, real estate, healthcare and media, were all keen to take a behind the scenes look at one of the most successful Formula 1 teams in history.
Innovation is at the heart of everything McLaren’s do, which has enabled them to create the fastest accelerating car they have ever produced, using design features such as low-drag aerodynamic designs and an automotive first – a body that bends at the tail.
The entrepreneurs heard how McLaren designers worked on ways to improve their processes, pioneering the use of virtual reality (VR) in their design studios and partnering with games developers to produce the softwear to create a VR system that allowed McLaren designers to translate their ideas into virtual models with unprecedented realism.
The entrepreneurs were also treated to a closer look at the McLaren historical collection of cars and trophies, a look at the championship-winner cars driven by legends including Ayrton Senna and Mika Häkkinen, and an in-depth tour of the Formula 1 facility and the makings of modern race team.