Rowan Atkinson just has no luck with his McLaren F1. In August 2011, “Mr. Bean” had a crash after he lost control of his car, and now he had to pay more than £900,000 ($1.4 million) to fix the car. The repair of Atkinson’s car is estimated to be one of the largest car insurance settlement in British history. Actually, that was his second crash with McLaren F1, the first time being in October 1999 in Lancashire.
Rowan Atkinson Will Pay $1.4 Million to Fix His McLaren F1
Ben Stagg, specialty insurer with RK Harrison, said the quality components used to make an F1 are one reason the repair costs were so high.
“All modern supercars are predominantly carbon fiber — most Lamborghinis, most Ferraris — and the smallest ding in carbon fiber is a big repair job,” he said. “And part of the engine bay is gold, that’s the best heat conductor. It’s the materials they used compared to everyday cars that make it so expensive.”
Judging by the picture of the accident from 2011, the car was completely ruined. Reports state that Atkinson lost control of the £650,000 ($1,012,000) vehicle, spinning several times before smashing into a tree and lamppost before the F1 set on fire. Lucky he managed to pull himself from the accident before been seen to by paramedics and taken to hospital.
A witness to the aftermath stated: “No pics needless to say but the left hand door had been cut away and the whole left handside of the car was wrecked and bent twisted. It was ruined. Looked like he lost control on the wet road and hit the trees at some speed.”
