McLaren Secures Significant Victory in £20m Lawsuit Through Clyde & Co's Legal Efforts
In the realm of travel and insurance, the case of Andrew Cannestra v McLaren Automotive Events Limited has set a significant precedent. The case, which took place in 2025, involved a Florida-based neurosurgeon, Dr. Cannestra, who claimed he was injured during a snowmobile excursion in Lapland, Finland [2].
The implications of this case for insurers and tour operators, particularly those operating under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, are far-reaching. The case highlights the scope of liability and the complexities in defending high-value negligence and breach of contract claims arising from ancillary activities included within package holidays [1][3].
The court’s dismissal of the £14m claim against McLaren, rooted in the finding that Dr. Cannestra was an experienced rider who voluntarily chose to take a riskier snowmobile mode and effectively accepted responsibility, emphasizes the importance of evidence about participant conduct and contributory factors [2]. This can be pivotal for tour operators and insurers defending such claims.
Importantly, even though the snowmobile activity was an ancillary one (not mandatory and somewhat separate from the advertised supercar ice driving experience), the claim was brought under the Package Travel Regulations. This underscores that package travel providers can be held liable for subcontracted or linked travel arrangements offered as part of the package, including extra activities [1][3].
The case underscores the need for insurers and tour operators to have robust contractual arrangements and clear liability limitations with subcontractors and suppliers of ancillary activities within package holidays, especially given the risks of catastrophic injury claims that can cross borders and involve high-value damages [1].
Meanwhile, McLaren Automotive Group has faced a separate incident, a fatal fall at work. The company was fined £650,000 following the incident, which resulted in the death of a father-of-five from Portsmouth. The ruling confirms that adherence to local safety standards can provide a complete defense, even in cases involving inherently risky activities [4].
McLaren Automotive Events Limited also successfully defended a £20 million personal injury claim brought against them, a testament to their robust legal defenses [5]. The company's commitment to sustainability is also noteworthy, as they have retained their Planet Mark Business Certification for the second consecutive year and unveiled their first ever Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Impact Report [6][7].
The Finnish Investigative Officer from government agency TUKES confirmed full compliance with local safety requirements in the Andrew Cannestra case [8]. The court dismissed the claim entirely, finding that the accident was caused solely by the claimant's own misuse of the throttle [9].
In sum, the Andrew Cannestra v McLaren case serves as a significant precedent demonstrating that package travel providers face extensive exposure for linked travel arrangements under the 2018 Regulations, but that strong defenses including evidence of participant fault and informed choice remain crucial in resisting large cross-border claims [1][2][3]. The case also highlights McLaren Automotive's commitment to safety and sustainability in both their travel experiences and workplace operations.
References: [1] Law360. (2025). McLaren Wins £14M Snowmobile Accident Case. Retrieved from https://www.law360.com/articles/1417875 [2] The Lawyer. (2025). McLaren Wins £14M Snowmobile Accident Case. Retrieved from https://www.thelawyer.com/mclaren-wins-14m-snowmobile-accident-case/1401376.article [3] Clyde & Co. (2025). McLaren Wins £14M Snowmobile Accident Case. Retrieved from https://www.clydeco.com/en/news/mclaren-wins-14m-snowmobile-accident-case [4] Health and Safety Executive. (2025). McLaren Automotive Fined £650,000 After Fatal Fall at Work. Retrieved from https://www.hse.gov.uk/press/press-releases/mclaren-automotive-fined-650000-after-fatal-fall-at-work.htm [5] The Lawyer. (2025). McLaren Automotive Wins £20M Personal Injury Claim. Retrieved from https://www.thelawyer.com/mclaren-automotive-wins-20m-personal-injury-claim/1401377.article [6] McLaren Automotive. (2025). McLaren Retains Planet Mark Business Certification. Retrieved from https://www.mclaren.com/news/mclaren-retains-planet-mark-business-certification [7] McLaren Automotive. (2025). McLaren Unveils First ESG Impact Report. Retrieved from https://www.mclaren.com/news/mclaren-unveils-first-esg-impact-report [8] TUKES. (2025). Full Compliance with Local Safety Requirements Confirmed in McLaren Case. Retrieved from https://tukes.fi/en/news/full-compliance-with-local-safety-requirements-confirmed-in-mclaren-case [9] The Lawyer. (2025). McLaren Wins £14M Snowmobile Accident Case. Retrieved from https://www.thelawyer.com/mclaren-wins-14m-snowmobile-accident-case/1401376.article
- The McLaren Automotive Events Limited case, which involved a significant multi-million-pound negligence and breach of contract claim, has emphasized the importance of regulation compliance, clear contractual arrangements, and evidence of participant behavior for insurers and tour operators offering finance-dependent business ventures such as package holidays.
- Effective financial risk management strategies, alongside sustainability initiatives, become even more crucial for companies like McLaren Automotive Group in the wake of cross-border catastrophic injury claims and regulatory fines, as demonstrated by recent incidents in their travel experiences and workplace operations.
