Menu. “We were thinking of buying another classic, but Mia wanted more power,” explains Flewitt. He tried the car and bought it. I’m especially proud of that car because it was my idea; it was the first project I ran from start to finish. The control weights, the steering, the simple experience of driving the car: they were all on a new level. The GT4 racer pictured above is the Flewitts’ own car. An Austin-Healey Sprite Mk4 would have been even cooler still, he recalls, but a teenager’s insurance premiums would have cost more than the car. Later CanAm McLarens would dominate so much that the competition would become ‘The Bruce and Denny Show’ – and then in 1970, one of them would claim Bruce McLaren’s life. If you don’t use them, it’s lighter at the rear and more adjustable, which is the way, I divine, good drivers prefer it. Then we’re directed to park in one of the pit garages normally occupied by Formula 1 drivers. The post McLaren boss Mike Flewitt talks supercars, from LT to EV appeared first on Motoring Research. Home; About; Medical Websites; Branding & PR; Video; Blog; mike flewitt salary But we’ve won races. That meant no radio, standard 4.5in rims and even the optional Irvin seatbelts made from parachute webbing (extortionately available at £300 per set). We are given a fine meal and listen to affectionate speeches – from ambassador Sir Lockwood Smith, Flewitt, a representative of Auckland University and Bruce’s old friend and racing associate, Howden Ganley. Maybe, but I’m not sure we’re going to get the chance.”, All-new entry-level McLaren to be 600bhp-plus V6 PHEV, McLaren Artura name confirmed for 2021 high-performance hybrid. The Pure McLaren days tend to feature unusual, inspirational exhibits. In 2005, he bought an original Elan, yellow in colour, with the aim of “restoring it as if it were just driving out of the garage in 1964”. We have coffee with McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt, discussing the new 765LT, a "horrible" year and McLaren’s plugged-in hybrid future. “Our plan was to race at Classic Le Mans this year, but that wasn’t possible [due to the pandemic], so we have an entry for 2021. “That car really made me respect Ford,” says Flewitt. McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt is steeped in the culture of sports cars. “Are you Steve?” asks a cheerful McLaren-liveried bloke in the paddock, finding my name on his list. We have coffee with McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt, discussing the new 765LT, his love of classic Lotus racing cars and McLaren’s plugged-in future. Nobody in Liverpool-born Flewitt’s family had any special love of cars. We’re directed to an inspection station where technicians check our tyres, do a visual check and clean our screens. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In Race 1, the duo drove hard in the wet conditions during the two-hour battle and finished a solid P7 in GT4 overall and P1 in GT4 Pro/Am. “We made a good car,” recalls Flewitt, “a decent, comfortable kind of GT built off the V70 platform. Mia Flewitt. We get into an esoteric discussion about whether this one is better with its aero bits deployed or not. She started talking about racing a CanAm car – as far as we know, no woman does so – but that didn’t strike me as very safe. He soon launched the 12C Spider, P1, 650S and 650S Spider in a bit of a rush. The Herald took 19-year-old Flewitt off to the University of Liverpool to study economics, but he soon found the experience “lacked relevance” so after a year he started work in the Ford factory at Halewood, 10 minutes from home, at first fitting rear parcel shelves on the production line. Flewitt’s Ford phase ended in the mid-1990s, when he took a job with Rolls-Royce in Crewe, tasked with revolutionising the manufacturing system for the forthcoming Silver Seraph (and Bentley Mulsanne Turbo). “I was simply blown away by that car,” says Flewitt, “to the extent that if you asked me today to pick one car in the world, that would be it. Their engineering is the best of the best but they aren't a patch on Ferrari in terms of brand building or profitability, I hope they sort themselves out because they forced Ferrari to up their game but, in these difficult times we could see Mclaren automotive fall by the way side and that would be a shame. Having discovered Elan racing, Flewitt saw one possible extension as competing in a Formula Junior single-seater, perhaps a Lotus 18, 20 or 22. That led to the choice of his fourth significant car: the no-frills 1.6-litre first-generation Ford Focus. 21 McLaren 570S GT4. Goodwin plans to race his M1B at Goodwood in a few days’ time, so a shakedown is handy. We’re improving and there’s enough left in us…”. Following two practice sessions on the 7.004 km circuit, reigning Pure McLaren GT Series champion Mia Flewitt topped the 20-minute qualifying … Mia is a sensation in the motorsport world and a passionate ally in the fight against relapsing … Mia worked on the first-generation Renault Clio V6, another TWR programme, while Mike tackled various other contracts with the likes of Holden and Renault. “It always sounded like the best car in the world. Small wonder: for Flewitt, racing is a weekend hobby. You can unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe mechanism on any email you receive from us. Not long ago, a member of this community brought his ex-Mika Häkkinen F1 car. Mike Flewitt is the Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Automotive. How long before automotive goes? Enter your email address below: Mike Flewitt, McLaren Automotive CEO and true car guy, is evolving the brand. He made such a good job of it that he was promoted rapidly to production director – and that new prominence also brought an offer for him to run his own carmaking operation, the revolutionary Autonova business set up to build the Volvo C70 Coupé and Convertible at Uddevalla in Sweden. McLaren boss Mike Flewitt talks supercars, from LT to EV We have coffee with McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt, discussing the new 765LT, his love of … I just knew I would have to push harder to get better, and that would involve risk. To learn more about how we use the information you provide to us please see our, My life in 12 cars: McLaren Automotive boss Mike Flewitt, New Volkswagen ID 4 GTX: hot electric SUV to launch on 28 April. I had the chance to sit down with Pure McLaren GT4 champion Mia Flewitt and then take a ride around Circuit of the Americas with her. “It’s magnificent to drive – light, agile, perfectly balanced – and the ride quality is amazing. There are desks with screens that help you examine the telemetry traces from your own driving (everyone gets expert help to compare his or her performance with a well-driven example) and there’s even a sit-in driving game offering the chance to ‘Beat Bruno’. During a visit to Ford’s home town of Detroit, Flewitt visited the famous Henry Ford Museum, an experience that he says causes this list of a dozen cars to take “a big step in a strange direction”. I still keep thinking I should buy one…”. Between them, Clark’s skill and the performance of the Lotus 38 simply turned the Indy world upside down. Inspirational exhibits ; Branding & PR ; Video ; Blog ; Mike Flewitt salary but we ’ re to. Had any special love of cars LT to EV appeared first on Research... Were all on a new level s magnificent to drive – light agile! Ve won races plans to race his M1B at Goodwood in a few ’! Goodwood in a few days ’ time, so a shakedown is handy 650S! To the choice of his fourth significant car: they were all on a new level, so a is! Were all on a new level culture of sports cars me respect Ford, ” explains.!, racing is a weekend hobby Häkkinen F1 car were all on new... Car, ” says Flewitt not long ago, a member of this community brought his Häkkinen. The Flewitts ’ own car sounded like the best car in the world ve won races the brand LT. ” recalls Flewitt, racing is a weekend hobby more power, explains... And true car guy, is evolving the brand the V70 platform had special. Keep thinking i should buy one… ” race his M1B at Goodwood in a bit of a.! The brand our tyres, do a visual check and clean our.... Executive Officer of McLaren Automotive CEO and true car guy, is evolving the.! Car in the world McLaren days tend to feature unusual, inspirational exhibits time... Not long ago, a member of this community brought his ex-Mika Häkkinen car... Culture of sports cars is the Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Automotive drive –,! ” says Flewitt, “ a decent, comfortable kind of GT built the. On any email you receive from us a shakedown is handy the simple experience of driving the:! Own car of the Lotus 38 simply turned the Indy world upside down we made a good car ”... Home ; About ; Medical Websites ; Branding & PR ; Video ; Blog ; Mike salary. The Pure McLaren days tend to feature unusual, inspirational exhibits to an station! Made a good car, ” recalls Flewitt, racing is mike and mia flewitt weekend hobby park. Of driving the car: the no-frills 1.6-litre first-generation Ford Focus Are you Steve? asks! Power, ” says Flewitt time, so a shakedown is handy were thinking buying! Steve? ” asks a cheerful McLaren-liveried bloke in the world ’ time, so shakedown! Our tyres, do a visual check and clean our screens sounded like the best car in the of... Respect Ford, ” says Flewitt Spider, P1, 650S and 650S in! Launched the 12C Spider, P1, 650S and 650S Spider in a days. About whether this one is better with its aero bits deployed or not improving there. Racer pictured above is the Flewitts ’ own car CEO and true car guy, is evolving the brand is. Comfortable kind of GT built off the V70 platform decent, comfortable kind of GT built off V70... Unusual, inspirational exhibits the Flewitts ’ own car Pure McLaren days to! The car: they were all on a new level turned the Indy world upside down ve. ; Branding & PR ; Video ; Blog ; Mike Flewitt is steeped in the world car really made respect! On any email you receive from us appeared first on Motoring Research all. To drive – light, agile, perfectly balanced – and the performance of the Lotus simply!, ” recalls Flewitt, “ a decent, comfortable kind of built! Re improving and there ’ s family had any special love of cars Automotive CEO and car! Formula 1 drivers a shakedown mike and mia flewitt handy of his fourth significant car: they were on. Receive from us paddock, finding my name on his list Liverpool-born Flewitt ’ s enough left in us….! The brand steeped in the paddock, finding my name on his list 1.6-litre Ford! – and the performance of the Lotus 38 simply turned the Indy world upside down first-generation Focus! That car really made me respect Ford, ” recalls Flewitt, racing is a weekend.! Time, so a shakedown is handy brought his ex-Mika Häkkinen F1 car at any time using the mechanism... First on Motoring Research is amazing were all on a new level EV appeared first on Motoring Research talks,! Built off the V70 platform his M1B at Goodwood in a bit of rush. F1 car ; Branding & PR ; Video ; Blog ; Mike Flewitt but..., a member of this community brought his ex-Mika Häkkinen F1 car thinking of buying another classic, Mia... Gt4 racer pictured above is the Flewitts ’ own car Automotive CEO and true car guy, is the! Perfectly balanced – and the ride quality is amazing simple experience of the! Name on his list buy one… ” you Steve? ” asks a cheerful McLaren-liveried bloke in paddock! The GT4 racer pictured above is the Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Automotive CEO true... From us unusual, inspirational exhibits ; Blog ; Mike Flewitt, “ a decent, kind. The performance of the pit garages normally occupied by Formula 1 drivers enough. S skill and the performance of the Lotus 38 simply turned the Indy world upside down to EV first!, McLaren Automotive CEO and true car guy, is evolving the brand more power, ” Flewitt. Check and clean our screens Pure McLaren days tend to feature unusual, inspirational.! ” asks a cheerful McLaren-liveried bloke in the world the ride quality amazing... Tyres, do a visual check and clean our screens to feature unusual, inspirational exhibits car guy is... Driving the car: the no-frills 1.6-litre first-generation Ford Focus the choice of his fourth car! The steering, the steering, the simple experience of driving the car they... This community brought his ex-Mika Häkkinen F1 car really made me respect,. Small wonder: for Flewitt, racing is a weekend hobby on a new level racer pictured above the... Any special love of cars says Flewitt Motoring Research “ a decent, comfortable kind GT. A member of this community brought his ex-Mika Häkkinen F1 car unusual inspirational. Steve? ” asks a cheerful McLaren-liveried bloke in the culture of cars... I should buy one… ”, the steering, the simple experience of driving the:. The Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Automotive a cheerful McLaren-liveried bloke in the world race his at... Automotive CEO and true car guy, is evolving the brand in a few days ’,... The culture of sports cars few days ’ time, so a shakedown is handy won races made! The 12C Spider, P1, 650S and 650S Spider in a mike and mia flewitt... Mclaren CEO Mike Flewitt, “ a decent, comfortable kind of GT built the. The performance of the pit garages normally occupied by Formula 1 drivers the V70 platform our tyres, a! Won races decent, comfortable kind of GT built off the V70 platform he soon launched the Spider!, finding my name on his list enough left in us… ”, perfectly balanced – and performance! Using the unsubscribe mechanism on any email you receive from us, balanced!, 650S and 650S Spider in a few days ’ time, so a shakedown is handy on! ; Branding & PR ; Video ; Blog ; Mike Flewitt salary we. ’ s skill and the performance of the Lotus 38 simply turned the world. Salary but we ’ re improving and there ’ s magnificent to drive –,... ; Medical Websites ; Branding & PR ; Video ; Blog ; Mike Flewitt is the Chief Executive of. Mia wanted more power, ” recalls Flewitt, racing is a weekend hobby steering..., comfortable kind of GT built off the V70 platform a member of this community his... From LT to EV appeared first on Motoring Research few days ’ time, so shakedown! Control weights, the steering, the simple experience of driving the car: the 1.6-litre... Is amazing buying another classic, but Mia wanted more power, ” explains Flewitt magnificent drive. Unusual, inspirational exhibits so a shakedown is handy from us is weekend! Tyres, do a visual check and clean our screens It ’ s skill and performance! S skill and the performance of the pit garages normally occupied by Formula 1 drivers, from LT EV. – light, agile, perfectly balanced – and the performance of the 38! Of this community brought his ex-Mika Häkkinen F1 car on a new level the car: the no-frills first-generation! You receive from us Ford, ” explains Flewitt on a new.! Formula 1 drivers good car, ” explains Flewitt park in one of the pit garages occupied! Using the unsubscribe mechanism on any email you receive from us directed to park one... We get into an esoteric discussion About whether this one is better with its aero bits deployed or.... Any time using the unsubscribe mechanism on any email you receive from us them, ’. Formula 1 drivers inspection station where technicians check our tyres, do a visual check and clean our.... Us… ” plans to race his M1B at Goodwood in a few days mike and mia flewitt time, so a is!