Despite being very fast on the track, McLaren Racing Director Zak Brown has found that Formula 1 teams are still quite slow to establish themselves outside their own circle. Speaking on Netflix's hit series Drive to Survive, Brown notes that teams need to open their doors in a number of ways.
Brown comes from a marketing background and has mastered the game to perfection. That's why you'll find McLaren's Woking headquarters popping up on the big screen time and time again. This applies to both sci-fi epics and Formula 1's own film. It's all done with complete awareness.
Formula 1 thrives on strong images. McLaren is particularly consistent in its pursuit of this idea, deliberately positioning itself for a wider audience than just the traditional F1 fan. The brand naturally moves in pop culture while managing to maintain the credibility of the world constructors' champion.
“Sport is entertainment,” Brown said when Netflix’s Formula 1 documentary gained huge popularity in 2021. “These people opened up a new perspective for us. They created an extra dimension. The response from the fans is incredible.”
It would be unwise not to continue down this path. That's why the McLaren Technology Centre, abbreviated as MTC, has appeared in several major film productions. The complex, designed by architect Norman Foster, follows the yin-yang principle. It has a vast lake with around 30 million liters of water and a specially developed wind tunnel. This makes the building a great backdrop for science fiction films.
The keen observer among you will have recognized the MTC in the Andor series from the Star Wars universe. The futuristic glass bridges, minimalist corridors and massive pillars were adapted to the Star Wars world with some digital processing and set construction. For Lucasfilm, the MTC provided real, working high-tech equipment that looked like it belonged in that world at first glance. For McLaren, it was an opportunity to become part of one of the most famous brands in the world. The result felt natural and organic, not like a flat advertisement.
In the Fast and Furious sequel Hobbs & Shaw, the MTC served as the futuristic headquarters of Brixton Lore, played by Idris Elba. The film itself remained controversial, but the McLaren building once again served as the cool, technologically advanced headquarters of the villain. Several McLaren models were also used. Jason Statham, among others, drives a 720S through the streets of London.
The new Formula One movie, simply called F1, has also brought the premier class series closely into the production. Mercedes-Benz, known for its penchant for dipping into pop culture, provided the cars for the fictional APXGP team. McLaren has made its seat available.
The MTC’s interior and exterior spaces served as filming locations, adding to the film’s authenticity. To further cement the connection, McLaren Racing invited lead actor Brad Pitt to drive the 2023 race car at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin. According to an official statement, the invitation came at Brown’s personal initiative. This was in addition to the seat customization and simulator work that McLaren had done for the production.
The McLaren Technology Centre is a building that attracts filmmakers. It is a paradise for technology lovers and at the same time offers plenty of space for beautiful shots, partly because of the nature that surrounds it. It acts as a spaceport and as the main headquarters of the villain. With Formula 1 becoming an increasingly part of pop culture and the latest film earning over half a billion euros worldwide, it would not be surprising if the MTC reappears on the silver screen soon.
