McLaren 720S Daniel Ricciardo Edition is a rare beast

Just three new special-edition, Australia-only McLaren 720S supercars will make their way Down Under later this year to celebrate Aussie Formula 1 ace Daniel Ricciardo’s achievements with the British car-maker.

The Perth-born racer, who only signed with McLaren at the beginning of this year, gave the British F1 team its best result in more than a decade when he won the Italian Grand Prix in Monza earlier this month.

The carsales ambassador backed that up last weekend with another impressive race for fourth place and is currently sitting eighth in this year’s drivers’ championship.

The three examples of the 2021 McLaren 720S Daniel Ricciardo Edition were created by McLaren Special Operations (MSO) in collaboration with the supercar marque’s dealerships in Sydney and Melbourne.

There’s no word yet on pricing, or whether the three buyers are already lined up, but the exclusive special-edition models are sure to carry a decent premium on the standard McLaren 720S that starts from $508,650 plus on-road costs.

The small number is said to be a nod to Ricciardo’s racing number, with the Aussie Honey Badger’s #3 also etched into the coupe’s dihedral doors.

The Dan Edition is also finished in an orange ‘Papaya spark’ colour, with Burton Blue mirrors, an Aussie flag above each front guard and carbon-fibre sills inscribed with Ricciardo’s signature.

There’s also ‘One of Three’ dedication plates included with each vehicle.

The 527kW/770Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine from the McLaren 720S is unchanged in the limited-edition, which can reach 100km/h from standstill in 2.9 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 341km/h.

“Daniel Ricciardo’s relentless determination and pursuit of excellence are qualities that perfectly reflect the McLaren ethos,” said McLaren’s commercial executive director George Biggs.

“The 720S is a fitting model to celebrate Daniel’s achievements and we’re delighted to see it adorned with the Australian flag crafted by MSO.”

Ricciardo, meanwhile, described the 720S as a benchmark car for the brand.

“One of the great privileges of driving for McLaren is getting behind the wheel of many of the brand’s exhilarating supercars, and while each offers something unique, the 720S is the absolute benchmark,” he said.