Twenty
years ago, McLaren F1 GTR began testing ahead of an assault on the 1995 GT
season. The track derivative, as the road-going version had done, claimed
victories and titles across the globe in the years that followed. Two decades
on, the covers have been pulled off the dramatic and purposeful McLaren P1 GTR
design concept during a private event at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
event in California. The aggressive racing concept is a preview to the final
model which, with a little under a year until production commences, has now
entered the next phase as the development team works to hone and further
optimise the ultimate track-focused racer.
The
McLaren P1 GTR need not meet the legislation for road legality, rather it will
be the most track-tailored and most powerful model produced by McLaren Special
Operations to date, with a clear target even more focused than its road-going
sibling. It’s built to be the best driver’s car in the world on track. With
even greater emphasis on aerodynamic performance through its dramatic bodywork,
the McLaren P1GTR will also feature race-proven slick tyres, a fixed ride
height, enhanced power delivery from the IPAS powertrain and Formula 1-derived
DRS from the large, fixed rear wing and an ERS-style push-to-pass system, all
combining to offer the ultimate track experience.
Based
on the McLaren P1 road car, the track-focused McLaren P1 GTR design concept
further optimises the aerodynamically efficient ‘shrink-wrapped’ body shape in
order to offer maximum performance, superior handling characteristics and
optimised driver engagement on track. The car has been thoroughly re-engineered
from the ground up to ensure the McLaren P1GTR is the ultimate drivers’ car on
track.
Below
the rear wing sits the exposed, centrally mounted exhaust, which is an all new
design, developed exclusively for the McLaren P1 GTR. The system is made from
inconel and titanium alloy and it maximises the aural characteristic of the
higher output 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine to maintain, and further emphasise,
the McLaren sound. The design of the exhaust has also changed, with a straight
cut twin pipe setup now used in place of the single exit exhaust.
The
front track of the McLaren P1GTR design concept has been increased by 80mm and
is coupled with a more aggressive GT-style front splitter.
Picture of McLaren P1 GTR design concept /
courtesy McLaren