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The McLaren F1 shocked the supercar segment when it first rolled onto the scene. Gordon Murray’s iconic mid-engine performance car smashed records and gained international attention quickly. Understandably, the F1 gained the attention of die-hard car enthusiasts like Jay Leno, Rowan Atkinson, Elon Musk, and George Harrison. However, not every McLaren F1 survived; two celebrities have wrecked their iconic British supercars. 

Rowan Atkinson and Elon Musk have one very odd (and expensive) thing in common

A white McLaren F1 on a stage.
1995 McLaren F1 | National Motor Museum, Heritage Images, Getty Images

Rowan Atkinson and Elon Musk don’t seem to have much in common. Musk is the head of the electric vehicle (EV) giant Tesla, while Atkinson is a beloved comedian and actor. However, they do have something in common: they both crashed their McLaren F1 supercars. Shockingly, Atkinson wrecked his twice and sold it for a profit.

Frankly, even a totaled F1 is worth serious money. Classic.com puts the average value of the rare supercar at around $18.9 million. That makes the enigmatic McLaren one of the most expensive cars in the world. 

Does Rowan Atkinson still own a McLaren F1?

“Johnny English” franchise star Rowan Atkinson owned a McLaren F1. He bought the car new in 1997 when the F1 was the unequivocal king of the supercar segment. However, Atkinson wrecked the car in 1999 and again in 2011.

Fortunately, Atkinson had it restored to glory by McLaren Special Operations. That, and the actor sold the F1 for a profit. 

Does Elon Musk own a McLaren F1?

Elon Musk, head of Tesla, smiles at a event.
Elon Musk at a press event | Slaven Vlasic, Getty Images for The New York Times

Elon Musk, eccentric billionaire and head of Tesla, owned a McLaren F1. However, Musk wrecked the supercar in 2000. The crash nearly killed Musk and Peter Thiel, a venture capitalist along for the ride. What’s more, the F1 was briefly airborne before coming to a halt in its wrecked state. 

Like Rowan Atkinson, Musk sold his F1 for a profit. Despite the crashes, these world-class supercars appreciated. Keep up with MotorBiscuit for the latest content!

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).