Instead, the UK firm recently evolved into one of Ferrari’s worst nightmares. Here’s how it rose above its peers and transferred the lessons it learned on the track to a growing line-up of world-beating supercars. Its latest model? A “rule-breaking” grand tourer to be unveiled on Wednesday 15 May. It's also just produced its 20,000th vehicle.

Let’s use the new car and this milestone as an occasion to take a close look at the McLaren story: