Did Elon Musk crash $1 million super rare McLaren F1 to impress Peter Thiel?

Elon Musk is well-known in the fast-paced world of tech billionaires for pushing the envelope too far in both life and technology; however, in one instance, he once crashed an extremely rare McLaren F1, demonstrating his risk-taking attitude. 

The story goes back to the late 1990s, which Musk told Sarah Lacy of PandoDaily. After selling his firm Zip2 for over $300 million, Musk felt it was time to treat himself to some better things in life. And what could be more exquisite than the McLaren F1, which was among the fastest and most premium vehicles in the world at the time? 

Owning a McLaren F1 was a fantasy for many, but a reality for very few, as there were only 106 ever produced. The car cost about $1 million, which was a significant increase over its initial cost but still a small amount for Musk.

“Three years ago, I was showering at the YMCA and sleeping on the office floor,” Musk reminisced in a 1999 CNN Perspectives documentary, reported by Business Insider. “Now I have a million-dollar car and quite a few creature comforts.” Musk’s purchase wasn’t just a display of wealth; it was a testament to how far he had come.

Musk clarified in the interview that he drove the vehicle 11,000 miles. It was his daily drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and he acknowledges that it was a "crazy car to have as a daily drive."

He said in the interview that he didn't really know how to drive the McLaren, even though he drove it frequently. Its remarkable 640 brake horsepower power delivery to the wheels, along with its lightweight one-ton construction, yields amazing performance.

In 2000, Musk showed off the car's capabilities while driving down Sand Hill Road to a meeting with Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal Inc. Just as the McLaren went out of control, shot "like a discus" three feet into the air, and crashed, he said, "Watch this." The most detrimental aspect? The vehicle was uninsured.