In 2024, a long-lost chassis number 15 was discovered in McLaren Racing’s heritage collection. It’s Heritage team then embarked on a mission to rebuild the never-raced M23 chassis with a clear vision to involve and inspire young engineers.
As part of McLaren’s relationship with the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre, its apprentices got the chance to work with the team at McLaren Racing on composite and metallic manufacturing, as part of the cars restoration.
Apprentices Iolanthe Jones, Thomas Fishwick and Tobie Redpath are currently in the third year of their level three machining apprenticeships at McLaren. They supported the manufacture of crucial components of the M23-15 rebuild, including a new steering wheel – the central part of which is 3D-printed, making it the one modern element on the car – steering release, suspension components, peddles, bracketry, and oil system components.
Meanwhile, second-year composites apprentices at the McLaren Racing’s Composites factory - Catherine Meech, Jasmine Ralfs and Grace Walbeoffe - took on the complex task of recreating key bodywork elements and the distinctive high-rise airbox, which is a standout feature of the design.
The apprentices tackled a unique set of challenges, including completing missing parts and familiarising themselves with specialised skills required for working with materials like glass fibre – once commonplace in F1, but now rare – to return the car to its former glory.
In a statement, Ross Hood, Production Director at McLaren Racing, said: “We partner with the AMRC Training Centre on our composite apprenticeship programme and the metallic machining apprentices working on this project demonstrated a real drive for high performance, something we hold as one of our core values at McLaren Racing.
“The project's greatest value came from bringing together such a diverse group. Our composites and machining apprentices worked alongside engineers, mechanics and our heritage team, creating a strong mini-team within McLaren Racing to bring this icon to life."
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The apprentices also had a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet and spend time with McLaren Racing legend Emmerson Fittipaldi who visited the workshop during the undertaking. The project resulted in the M23-15 being brought back to life – a testament to the apprentice’s talent and the enduring legacy of McLaren.
Apprentices reunited with the iconic M23 for a day when it made an appearance at the AMRC Training Centre to kick off National Apprenticeship Week 2025.
“We’re incredibly proud of our apprentices and their remarkable achievements on this project as part of their apprenticeship. The project provided them with a unique opportunity to contribute to McLaren Racing's rich racing heritage, a chance to touch motorsport history and shape the future," commented Nikki Jones, Director of the AMRC Training Centre.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for our apprentices to gain hands-on experience, building new skills and a developing problem-solving outlook has been very rewarding. Their work truly highlights the importance of apprenticeships in developing the next generation of highly skilled engineers, giving them real-world experience and igniting a passion for innovation.”
McLaren said that the M23-15 holds a special place in it's history, symbolising a pivotal moment that inspired the team's engineering philosophy and design simplicity. Over four seasons, the car achieved remarkable success, securing 16 wins, 14 pole positions and ten fastest laps. It is a symbol of McLaren's rise to F1 dominance, having powered both Emerson Fittipaldi and James Hunt to world championship titles in 1974 and 1976.
