One of my favorite memories from a few years back is taking a McLaren 750S out to El Mirage Dry Lake in Southern California, paying the $15 toll required to enter the lake, and then hitting 200 mph like it was nothing. It was especially cool as it was during golden hour and everything felt like the contrast was up 1,000%.
But even before that core memory, I was enamored by McLaren's supercars, as they just worked. They were comfortable, faster than lightning, sounded great, and looked like a trillion bucks. They were, and still are, according to our brothers in arms at Motor1, the best supercars on the planet.
Yet, what you would likely not expect to hear about the company is that it's being sued for a snowmobile excursion gone wrong. I'm sorry, is this the same McLaren that produced the phenomenal hybrid P1? In fact, it is, and it was during one of the brand's experiences held in the Arctic.
According to Perspective, 54-year-old Andrew Cannestra, and his then-partner, were participating in one of McLaren's Pure McLaren Arctic Experience trips in Finland in 2020. The pair had purchased the experience for around $30,000, which included a blast on an ice track in one of the brand's supercars, hotel and food, as well as the option to experience the Finnish backcountry on snowmobiles, an offer which they took up.
However, according to Mr. Cannestra, he was only given a minor safety briefing and instruction in how to operate the snowmobile, and after starting the trip in Eco Mode of his Lynx snowmobile, the guide stopped the group, flipped everyone to a more powerful mode with a higher top speed he allegeds was "not appropriate." Yet, the outlet reports that the guide "is alleged to have then set off at speeds of up to 60kph, causing Mr. Cannestra to lose sight of him and speed up as he 'did not want to be on his own'", adding, "Mr. Cannestra then lost control of the snowmobile on a bend, with the vehicle veering off the track into deep snow and hitting a tree, leaving him with a 'very significant' brain injury and 'orthopaedic injuries'."
Both McLaren and the local guides argue that safety was prioritized and that precautions were taken, refuting Mr. Cannestra's recollection of the events, stating that "There was a well-organised, risk-assessed activity which was delivered by well-trained and experienced guides who complied with the local standard. The irreducible risk was, in other words, reasonably controlled." They also state that Mr. Cannestra's speed was "wholly within his control."
The whole case, then, boils down to Mr. Cannestra alleging negligence and breach of contract, though they're seeking liability for the accident with similar circumstances as the snowmobiler who crashed into a parked Black Hawk helicopter.
