Mike Flewitt recently announced that he will step down as CEO of McLaren Automotive after serving eight years. Flewitt joined in 2013, the same year the groundbreaking P1 was launched, and during his tenure, McLaren expanded into a leading global supercar brand. Here we have republished an interview from the end of 2020 that reveals a lot about the man and his passions.
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McLaren Automotive
Braking hard on the hangar straight at 170 mph, another McLaren 765LT looms large in my mirrors. Two corners later it almost hits my diffuser. I admit my defeat, stop and wave the faster driver through. Airbrake pulled up and tailpipes glowing blue, he kisses the curb at Abbey, puts on the opposite barrier and shoots away.
Only when I return to the Silverstone pit lane do I realize that my opponent was Mike Flewitt on the track. The CEO of McLaren Automotive feels as comfortable in a super sports car as at a shareholders’ meeting.
Prior to joining McLaren in 2012, Flewitt was Vice President of Manufacturing at Ford of Europe. His résumé includes positions at Rolls-Royce and Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR).
The pandemic has inevitably been difficult, but Mike seems to be in good spirits. Maybe he knows how much slower I am. We’ll get a coffee and start …
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How would you summarize 2020 for McLaren?
“Terrible. We got into the year really well, then the pandemic hit us one by one. We closed our factory and most of the retailers at the end of March, so business was as good as closed at that point. We didn’t build any cars.” or sold cars.
“It was really dark and an enormous financial burden, but we secured funding that kept us going. In terms of development, our two priorities were this car [the 765LT] and the new Hybrid Artura.
McLaren 765LT tailpipes glow blue after hot laps at Silverstone.
This titanium exhaust with four outlets is 40 percent lighter than a stainless steel system.
Overall, the LT is 80 kg lighter than a 720S. pic.twitter.com/dTLeayMoQl
– Tim Pitt (@ timpitt100) September 22, 2020
“We’ve had to go through some layoffs, and to pay off our debts we’re doing a sale-and-lease-back of the McLaren Technical Center in Woking. To be honest, most companies do not have their own headquarters – we were just very fortunate that McLaren was able to buy the premises directly after many successful years in Formula 1 under Ron Dennis.
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Tell us about McLaren’s hybrid future.
“With the P1, we built the first of the ‘hybrid hypercars’, an extremely exciting car with extreme performance. It showed everyone that hybrids are not just an environmental game; they could also offer a performance advantage – and inspire the driver.
“Lately we’ve been using a different hybrid system in the Speedtail. From zero to 300 km / h [186mph], it’s the fastest car in the world. Pretty mind-blowing. However, we had to evolve to make more hybrids; it completely changes the CO2 values - and halves them compared to our biturbo V8s. But to get the real benefit, we needed a new platform that would go with it.
“Our Sheffield facility will build the Artura’s carbon fiber tub, while the electric motors will also be made in the UK. It’s a very important step for us and we’ve invested a lot of money as this hybrid platform underpins the next 8-10 years of cars. We are very excited to bring it to market. “
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What about electric cars – will we see a McLaren EV?
“Yes, but only in the second half of this decade. With performance cars, it is difficult to find the right balance between performance and range. You could have an extremely fast EV, but it will have very little range – and it won’t offer enough engagement and excitement.
“First and foremost, we build cars that are exciting, and that includes performance. Much of this sensation, however, also comes from the powertrain, and that is lacking in electric vehicles.
“I think our GT range will be electric first, then it will develop into supercars. We have a few development cars around and are working on the chassis dynamics. We want to build an electric car that is as exciting as the 765LT you are driving today. “
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McLaren Automotive
Speaking of the 765LT, what’s your verdict?
“I adore it. The performance is amazing. The chassis was developed a lot more for track use, so it’s very focused. The speed is relentless, the grip is enormous.
“Cars like this are totally forgiving, but we’re selling an emotional experience – and the 765LT delivers that better than anything I’ve driven in a long time.”
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You’ve had some bad press about the write-off. Does McLaren Make Too Many Cars?
“We are sensitive to this and I would love it if my owners don’t lose a penny. However, depreciation is the single biggest cost of any car owner, and very, very few cars actually value it.
“So the question is, how much are individuals willing to pay for the privilege of owning something like a 720S.”
“There was a time when there were far fewer supercars and manufacturers in the market, so you could buy some cars and trade them with very little depreciation after a year. We sold around 4,500 cars in 2019 and will be back at that level by 2022 or 2023.
“We pay close attention to supply management and run a qualified program for used cars at McLaren dealers. This is the best way to maintain the value. “
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McLaren F1
Gordon Murrays T.50 is probably the spiritual successor to the McLaren F1. What do you make of it?
“All praise is due to him. I like Gordon and a lot of people will admire the T.50 and see it as the modern F1.
“It’s a uniquely positioned car that doesn’t meet global homologation standards – and that’s fine as it only produces 100 for absolute enthusiasts. But it won’t change the supercar world. The 765LT is more relevant to the market.
“However, in the niche he plays in, it’s a brilliant piece of engineering.”
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McLaren F1
25 years have passed since the historic F1 victory at Le Mans. Would you like McLaren to race there again?
“I would like that very much. We have all kinds of celebrations planned to celebrate this win and unfortunately all of them have been canceled. Le Mans was finally closed to spectators.
“We are having a fantastic 2020 in GT3 and GT4 racing – we have just won the GT4 championship. It would be great to build on that and grow back after Le Mans, the senior sports car category. I don’t see it in the next year or two, but it’s on the wish list. “
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Let’s talk about your interest in cars …
“I love modern super sports cars. I drive a McLaren GT every day and have a 675LT at home. But I also drive classics – in fact, I was here at Silverstone last week doing a test day in a 1955 Lotus Mark IX.
“For me, cars are not just a means of transport, they really are something to enjoy.”
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Porsche badge
What other make of car do you admire most?
“I admire Porsche very much for its technical and commercial structure. The company builds a quarter of a million cars a year and still retains its perceived exclusivity. It also has industry leading products in most of the areas in which it competes.
“I also have a lot of time for Ford and BMW. Both show that you can have great driving dynamics at different prices. I’ve driven a Ford Focus for years and it was brilliant. We also have a BMW M2 and a Range Rover at home. “
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Which McLaren street car are you most proud of?
“It’s really difficult. I am incredibly proud of the 765LT. Before that I would probably have said the 675LT. We took the 650S and made it a little lighter, faster and more aerodynamic, but the result was much more than the sum of its parts.
“In truth, I’d have a hard time separating my 675 from my 765. Maybe the LT [Longtail] Brand is what I’m most proud of. The cars are suitable for everyday use and very exciting even at low speeds, but they are amazing on the track. You are absolutely right for McLaren – and for me. “
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