McLaren & Mercedes-Benz

McLaren’s long-serving truck driver Ian Hodges has been reunited with the 25-year-old Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor unit he once drove to race circuits across Europe, following a painstaking restoration by enthusiast restorer Dominic Newby.

Ian joined the Formula One team in 1997, the same year the first examples of the Actros range reached UK roads, setting new standards for efficiency and innovation. Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines was McLaren’s works partner at the time, and Dominic’s 6×2 Actros 2557 MegaSpace was one of three identical trucks supporting the team’s pursuit of Grand Prix victories. They pulled the race team transporter carrying the MP4/12 cars of Mika Häkkinen — who went on to win the Drivers’ World Championship for Mercedes-McLaren in each of the following two years — and David Coulthard, along with the race engineer and communications trailer and a hospitality unit.

A quarter of a century later, after a brief period in which McLaren ran Swedish-built trucks, Ian is back behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz. His current mount is a strikingly finished 4×2 unit from the fifth-generation Actros range, one of a dozen supplied by Sparshatt Truck & Van.

When Newhaven-based Dominic brought his restored Actros to the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, for a VIP visit, Ian and his colleagues seized the chance to compare the two trucks and reflect on how far the technology has moved on.

The restoration

Dominic, an enthusiastic contributor to Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ Roadstars platform for drivers, had already won awards for restoring a 1976 Mercedes-Benz 1622 tractor unit and was keen to take on another project.

“I’d been looking for a suitable Actros for a long time, because I used to drive one back in the day,” he explained. “So when I learned this particular vehicle was available, my wife and I went to see it. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that not only was it a top-of-the-range model, with features like electric seats, but it also had all the books and, considering its age, was in great condition.”

That was in the summer of 2020. Dominic bought the truck and, helped by its highly distinctive aerodynamic features, soon worked out its McLaren provenance. “There are hardly any first-generation Actros left and as this one is so unique I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to give it a new lease of life,” he said.

The comprehensive restoration that followed involved stripping the truck completely, replacing some electrical wiring harnesses and repairing a cab suspension airbag. Dominic spent nine months working in his spare time to return the unit to its former glory.

Then and now

The first-generation truck’s 425 kW (570 hp) V8 engine and eye-catching multi-coloured upholstery are very much of their time. By contrast, the interior of Ian’s new Actros, with its aluminium-effect and chrome StyleLine trim and leather upholstery, is a lesson in understated comfort and quality.

Powered by a 390 kW (530 hp), 12.8-litre in-line straight-six, his 1853 GigaSpace carries an exhaustive list of advanced Mercedes-Benz technology, including MirrorCam — the camera-based replacement for conventional mirrors — and the upgraded, interactive version of the twin-screen Multimedia Cockpit dashboard. On safety, alongside the standard-fit Active Brake Assist 5 system with its pedestrian-recognition capability, plus Lane Keeping Assist and Proximity Control Assist, the truck is fitted with an optional secondary water retarder.

“It’s a lovely truck, with a beautiful interior,” said Ian, who still supports the race team, driving to Continental race venues where Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo compete in the F1 World Championship with their Mercedes-Benz-engined McLaren MCL36 cars.

After finding himself back behind the wheel of the 1997 Actros, Ian said: “I’ve been working with Mercedes-Benz trucks for most of my career here at McLaren, and have particularly fond memories of the first, which was a real trail-blazer with its Telligent vehicle management systems and all-disc braking system.

“I have to confess, though, that I’d forgotten the lurid colour scheme on the seats. Dominic’s Actros looks every bit as good now as it did the day we took delivery. He’s done a marvellous job and it’s a great testament to his attention to detail and workmanship.”

The current fleet

McLaren’s latest Actros are all left-hand-drive 4×2 1853s. Eight are LsnR variants with low-height frames, assigned to freight duties, their Krone Mega Liner trailers carrying everything needed to build and equip the team’s garage at each venue. The remaining four standard units, including Ian’s, pull the specialised engineering trailers that sit in the paddock throughout Grand Prix weekends.

Responsibility for the McLaren truck fleet rests with long-serving Transport Manager Ian ‘Barney’ Barnard and his two Transport Specialists, Martin Boyes and Giles Matteson.

Martin, who joined the team in 2000, said: “It was a real treat to see such a bespoke truck stood alongside a vehicle from our generic fleet. His Actros is an absolute credit to Dominic, and certainly reflects all of the time, effort and passion he has expended on the restoration.

“Ours is a technology-led business, while the Actros has always been a platform for truck innovation. We have many friends at Mercedes-Benz and enjoy a long-established relationship with the manufacturer that we value very highly.

“The same is true of our association with Sparshatt Truck and Van. Not only does the dealer inspect and maintain the fleet at our base in Woking, but if necessary its technicians also provide support at race circuits. The Actros is a premium-quality product and when it comes to aftersales back-up, Sparshatt provides a premium level of service.”