McLaren releases new short film - McLaren 50 Courage

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team exists in a high-octane, high-tech world of automotive racing excellence. McLaren itself has both the eye-grabbing 12C supercar and the upcoming P1 speed machine as pinnacles of current sports car design. This short film, however, looks back half a century to the company's founding and, specifically, its racing roots.

Already a racing hero, Bruce McLaren founded the McLaren racing team in 1963 and innovated body and chassis changes to Formula One vehicles that are still in use today. Bruce died on the race track at age 32, testing a new vehicle design on the Goodwood circuit in 1970. This short three and a half minute film serves as an epitaph for the man who not only founded one of the world's most iconic race monikers in the world, but left an enduring mark on racing and racers everywhere.

Directed by Marcus Soderlund, the film is part one of the 50th anniversary trilogy that follows Bruce McLaren's ghost accompanied by thoughtful and at times powerful monologue. The final words of this segment of the series sum everything up:

“…What might be seen as a tragic end was in fact a beginning. As I always said, to do something well is so worthwhile that to die trying to do it better cannot be foolhardy. Indeed, life is not measured in years alone but in achievement...”

Two more films will release as the McLaren 50th anniversary celebrations continue. Those interested can follow the events through #McLaren50 #CelebrateBruce tags on Twitter and the McLaren Facebook page at Facebook.com/mclarenautomotive.