LEGO Technic McLaren F1 Set 42228 Leaks Early, Ahead of Its Reveal

If you've browsed LEGO's official website recently while looking at the McLaren F1 Team MCL38 Race Car (77251) from the Speed Champions lineup, you may have noticed something off.

Instead of the already-released Speed Champions model, LEGO briefly showed product images for an unannounced Technic set: LEGO Technic 42228 McLaren F1 Team MCL38.

In short, LEGO appears to have accidentally revealed a new Technic Formula 1 set ahead of its official announcement, with no teaser or press release beforehand.

Not the first time this has happened

This isn't the first time LEGO has made this kind of slip.

Last year, LEGO 11370 Stranger Things: The Creel House briefly showed up under the wrong product category, listed on a LEGO Creator 3-in-1 page before its official reveal.

This time, it's a case of two versions of the same car swapping places:

The Speed Champions version (77251)

The Technic version (42228)

For fans paying close attention, these accidental leaks often turn out to be the first reliable source of information on an upcoming set.

LEGO Technic 42228 McLaren F1 Team MCL38: what we know so far

Based on the leaked listing and what's currently available, LEGO Technic 42228 looks to follow the same direction as LEGO's other large-scale Technic Formula 1 sets.

Set details (rumored / leaked)

• Set number: 42228

• Set name: McLaren F1 Team MCL38

• Theme: LEGO Technic

• Piece count: 1,675 pieces

• Age rating: 18+

• Estimated price: €229.99

• Expected release date: March 1, 2026

The model is based on McLaren's real 2025 Formula 1 car, in line with LEGO's recent approach of releasing detailed, adult-focused Technic F1 replicas.

When could the official reveal happen

LEGO hasn't announced an official reveal date, but one date stands out.

McLaren is set to unveil its 2026 Formula 1 car on February 9, which would line up well as a moment for LEGO to formally introduce this Technic set.

LEGO has a track record of timing Technic F1 reveals around real motorsport events, so a February announcement is a real possibility.

How does it compare to the Speed Champions version

From the leaked images, the Technic 42228 McLaren F1 Team MCL38 shares a similar overall silhouette with its Speed Champions counterpart, 77251, released in the first wave of 2025 F1 Speed Champions sets.

As expected, though, the Technic version puts more weight on:

Larger scale

Functional Technic elements

Display-focused proportions

Adult collector appeal

Growing the LEGO Technic F1 lineup

If confirmed, 42228 would be the fourth LEGO Technic Formula 1 car in the current generation, joining:

42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance (2024)

42206 Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 (2025)

42207 Ferrari SF-24 (2025)

42141 McLaren

These sets typically share a few traits:

• 1,300 to 1,600+ pieces

• Premium pricing between €219.99 and €229.99

• A strong emphasis on display value and realism

At 1,675 pieces, the McLaren MCL38 fits squarely into that pattern.

Final thoughts

For long-time Technic and Formula 1 fans, McLaren's inclusion rounds out the lineup of top-tier teams nicely.

As for the early leak itself, it's more of a minor hiccup than a major surprise. Accidental reveals like this have become a regular part of LEGO's release cycle, and they tend to generate just as much excitement as the official announcements do.

Once LEGO formally unveils the set, that's when the real discussion starts: its mechanical functions, the building experience, and how it stacks up against previous Technic F1 cars.

What do you think

Does the Technic McLaren MCL38 feel too close to the Speed Champions version, or is it a worthy addition to the Technic F1 collection?

Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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