MCLAREN Supercar maker McLaren Automotive are launching an appeal across the Middle East for people to reveal their “Black Swan Moment” – an event that was truly a landmark moment in regional history.



When it was discovered in 1697, the black swan became a symbol of a moment that completely changes the way we look at the world.



Everyone can get involved through social media by using #BlackSwanMoments. It has been launched as part of the rollout of the newest car in the McLaren range, the eagerly anticipated McLaren Sports Series, which will sit below the 650S in the range, and will open McLaren up to wider range of customer.



The McLaren team in the Middle East has spoken to owners who have helped develop the top three “Black Swan Moments” which cover sport, culture and politics.



The first is the formation of the UAE in 1971 which saw, through the leadership of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, the previously opposing seven tribal sheikhdoms of the Trucial States come together as one, thereby creating a much stronger nation that could stand against the efforts of other countries to capitalize on their most precious resource, oil, and to develop the country for many generations to come.



The second is the launch of the Bahrain International Circuit in 2004, which was conceived as an integral part of the objective of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, of increasing the awareness and profile of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the broader Middle East. 



On April 4, 2004, Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari was first to the checkered flag to win the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first FIA Formula One World Championship event held in the Middle East.



And the third is the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, founded in 1995 by Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, which spearheaded Qatar’s drive to make itself a leader in education, science, community development and the arts in the region and beyond. 



The Foundation serves the people of Qatar by supporting and operating programs and strives to nurture the future leaders of Qatar.



“We are extremely excited about the latest car in the McLaren range, the eagerly anticipated McLaren Sports Series, which will sit below the 650S,” said Ian Gorsuch, McLaren Automotive Regional Director for Middle East and Africa.



“This is a sportscar that will provide pure McLaren credentials and exclusivity to the sportscar segment for the first time, challenging the accepted norm.



The new models will be true to McLaren values.  It will be an exciting, yet usable sportscar, offered in a range of derivatives, and will enable entry to the McLaren brand for a wider range of customers than has previously been possible,” he added.



The #BlackSwanMoments conversation is also taking place worldwide, where over the coming months, McLaren will be releasing the stories behind some of the black swan moments that have shaped the history of McLaren and motoring, from Bruce McLaren’s bold racing debut, to the pioneering innovations that resulted in victories both on and off the track. 



These moments led the way for their next black swan moment - the McLaren Sports Series.



Premiering on the world stage very soon, the Sports Series will bring pure McLaren credentials to a whole new market.



As well as understanding how McLaren got to the Sports Series, they’re also going to explore black swan moments that have challenged beliefs and created the modern world around us, influencing design, fashion, technology and art. — SG