The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rowan Atkinson bought a McLaren F1 in 1997, the car was involved in crashes in 1999 and 2011, and he sold it in 2015 for a reported £8 million or more. That sale price was far above the reported purchase price, but available reports do not establish his net profit after repairs and other ownership costs.
At a glance
| Event | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Purchase | Atkinson bought the F1 in 1997. ITV News reported an approximate price of £540,000; carsales reported £640,000. |
| First crash | Carsales dates an earlier crash to 1999. |
| Second crash and repairs | The 2011 crash led to substantial repairs. ITV News and evo reported a £910,000 bill. |
| Sale | Atkinson sold the car in 2015 for a reported £8 million or more, according to ITV News and evo. |
How the McLaren F1’s story unfolded
Atkinson owned and drove the F1 for years. Evo reported that he accumulated about 41,000 miles after buying it. Carsales dates the first of the two reported crashes to 1999; the second occurred in 2011.
The 2011 crash resulted in major work at McLaren. Evo reported significant chassis rebuilding at the factory, while ITV News and evo both reported a £910,000 repair bill. These figures describe the reported repair cost, not a complete account of Atkinson’s total ownership expenses.
What did Rowan Atkinson sell the McLaren F1 for?
ITV News and evo reported that Atkinson sold the car in 2015 for £8 million or more. That was a striking rise from the reported purchase amount, though the reports differ on what he paid in 1997.
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ITV News put the purchase price at about £540,000, while carsales reported £640,000. Evo also gives £540,000 as the F1’s launch price, which should not be mistaken for a confirmed transaction price. These accounts do not establish one exact purchase figure.
Did Rowan Atkinson make a profit after the crashes?
The reported sale price was far higher than either reported purchase amount. Using ITV News’s approximate £540,000 purchase figure and the £8 million sale figure gives a gross price difference of about £7.46 million. That is a simple comparison, not verified net profit: the available reports do not provide a full ledger of repair, maintenance, insurance, or other ownership costs.
Rank #2
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Why did he sell the car?
In a statement reproduced in Taylor & Crawley’s sale brochure, Atkinson said: “I bought it for the quality of the thinking behind it. Now it has become a thing of value, it is time for someone else to enjoy it.”
ITV News quoted Taylor & Crawley’s David Clark describing Atkinson as “a real user of his cars” who enjoyed using them rather than simply having them. The reported mileage helps put that account of his ownership in context.
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FAQ
How many times did Mr. Bean crash his McLaren F1?
Reports describe two crashes during Rowan Atkinson’s ownership: an earlier one dated to 1999 by carsales, and a second in 2011.
How much did Rowan Atkinson sell his McLaren F1 for?
ITV News and evo reported a 2015 sale price of £8 million or more.
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How much did the 2011 repairs cost?
ITV News and evo reported a £910,000 repair bill. The reports do not provide a full accounting of all costs of ownership.
Is it certain Atkinson made a net profit?
No. The reported sale price greatly exceeded the reported purchase price, but the available sources do not establish net profit after repairs and other expenses.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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