Who is Gordon Murray, the visionary automotive engineer?

Just like Elon Musk, Gordon Murray is a visionary figure in automotive design and engineering, albeit in a very different way. His company, Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA), crafts some of the world's most exclusive and potent supercars, including the T.50, T.50s, T.33, and T.33 Spider. These vehicles follow a more old-school recipe, focusing on driver engagement and connection, and have all been sold out for the time being.

Gallery: Gordon Murray Automotive T.33

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Who is Gordon Murray?

With a career spanning over two decades as Technical Director for two Formula 1 teams from 1969 to 1990, Gordon Murray boasts extensive expertise in automotive design and engineering. At Brabham, he played a pivotal role in securing two World Championship titles in 1981 and 1983. He then contributed to three consecutive championships with McLaren Racing in 1988, 1989, and 1990. In 1990, after achieving 50 Grand Prix victories, Murray transitioned from Formula 1 to establish McLaren Cars Limited.

His inaugural project, the McLaren F1 road car, remains acclaimed as one of the most impeccably designed vehicles globally. A racing variant clinched two World Sportscar Championships and triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. McLaren Cars subsequently delivered several successful projects, culminating in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

More from GMA and the man himself:

Gordon Murray to unveil even more extreme T.33 in 2025

Gordon Murray T.33 Spider debuts with 609-bhp V12, six-speed manual

Gordon Murray shows five favourite cars from his collection

The man behind the McLaren F1 shows off his car collection

A new chapter in engineering post-F1

Departing from McLaren in 2005, Gordon Murray founded Gordon Murray Design in 2007. This innovative British firm has emerged as a fast-developing firm in automotive design, offering comprehensive in-house capabilities for design, prototyping, and development.

In 2017, Murray commemorated the company's 10th anniversary with a special event titled "One Formula." He also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the iconic F1 road car and his 50th year in design and engineering.

In May 2019, Gordon Murray was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen's New Year Honours, recognising his contributions to the motorsport and automotive sectors over the past five decades. Following the establishment of Gordon Murray Automotive, the T.50 supercar was announced, exemplifying his commitment to engineering excellence and innovation.

Gallery: Gordon Murray Automotive T.50

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