McLaren MCL39 F1® Car

Detailed ratings

In-depth review analysis

The McLaren F1 Team MCL39 42228 joins an already substantial series of large LEGO Technic Formula 1 cars. Its 1,675 pieces recreate the McLaren racing car in a format intended to appeal both to mechanical enthusiasts and to people who want to display a racing car. All three selected reviews approach the model with knowledge of its predecessors, so their interest lies as much in what it adds to a familiar formula as in the quality of the finished result.

As a build, Jay's Brick Blog describes it as broadly conventional for a Technic Formula 1 car, but still engaging and detailed, with quirks of its own. The process starts with the rear linkages and suspension before moving on to the chassis and engine. The Brothers Brick also discusses the differential, frame, suspension and rear wing assembly. These stages give an idea of the importance of the mechanical assemblies and bodywork, although the excerpts do not allow the difficulty or building time to be measured precisely.

Brick Fanatics is particularly enthusiastic about the way the set builds on lessons from previous models while introducing changes and new ideas. According to the publication, some stages may feel familiar, but the solutions used can still surprise. It considers the small improvements significant for both the building experience and the model’s structure. The Brothers Brick offers a more general reservation: after assembling several comparable cars, repeatedly building wings, V6 engines and double-wishbone suspension can become tiresome. That does not mean the McLaren build is judged identical to all the others, but it identifies a risk of repetition for people accustomed to the range.

The finished appearance is a strength. Jay's Brick Blog considers the car excellent overall and a worthy representation of the 2025 racing car. It also appreciates the accurate shaping achieved through the building techniques, particularly in comparison with other cars in the series. Brick Fanatics sees the result as a beautiful model that celebrates the engineering of the real car while showcasing the possibilities specific to Technic. There are nevertheless compromises: Jay's Brick Blog finds the rear wheels too thin and mentions a gap that the predominantly black colour scheme helps conceal.

One functional decision also attracts the attention of Jay's Brick Blog: the rear DRS flap is connected to the gearbox. Its position therefore depends on the selected gear, with DRS activated in high gear. The reviewer describes this choice as strange, but does not report a failure or a weakness. Likewise, the excerpts provide no durability test or enough experience of the model over time. It would therefore be excessive to infer a robustness rating.

The supplied material says little about the instructions themselves. The Brothers Brick and Jay's Brick Blog note that they are packed in a paper envelope or folder with the sticker sheets; Jay's Brick Blog likes their white presentation and says the folder protects them in transit. These observations concern presentation and protection, not the clarity of the steps. As for the stickers, The Brothers Brick says there are many; Brick Fanatics cites them alongside the printed tyres as factors to consider in the price.

On price, Jay's Brick Blog and Brick Fanatics report €229.99 and note that it has not increased compared with the previous year’s Ferrari and Red Bull models. Jay's Brick Blog even considers the price slightly lower when inflation is taken into account. Brick Fanatics points out, however, that those two cars themselves represented an increase over the preceding generation. The stable price is therefore a favourable point in the immediate context of the range, without establishing on its own that the set will suit every budget.

Overall, the reviews chiefly document an attractive display car and a build appreciated for its detail or new solutions. The reservation about familiar mechanisms is particularly relevant to builders who assemble several large Technic Formula 1 cars, while the wheel proportions and DRS control may bother those seeking fidelity. The available information remains too limited to assess durability or instruction clarity.

Strengths

• Display model praised for its shaping and overall appearance.
• Detailed build with ideas and improvements over previous models.
• Price unchanged from the previous year’s Ferrari and Red Bull.

Weaknesses

• Some mechanical stages may feel repetitive to builders familiar with the range.
• Rear wheels considered too thin and a visible gap in the bodywork.
• DRS flap linked to the selected gearbox setting.
• Many stickers.

Where reviewers disagree

Brick Fanatics finds that new ideas refresh a familiar formula, while The Brothers Brick more generally highlights the potential fatigue of repeating the same mechanical assemblies across several Technic cars. — The Brothers Brick · Brick Fanatics

Publications consulted

The Brothers Brick · 2026-02-18

Jay's Brick Blog · 2026-02-18

Brick Fanatics · 2026-02-25