McLaren P1 GTR, Developed By And For Circuits

The McLaren P1 GTR is the derived version of the McLaren P1 and focused on intensive use on the track, eliminating any element of comfort from the equation and adding more power and aerodynamics.

Its creation has been motivated by the 20th anniversary of McLaren’s victory in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its production does not reach 40 units and they have only had access to one who already had a McLaren P1 in his garage.

Design

Visually, the most important thing about the McLaren P1 GTR is the aerodynamic revision it has received. The front is now dominated by a generous splitter and double canards on each side. The grills have also been removed, leaving the radiators more exposed.

Seen in profile, the most notable changes are the specific, more aerodynamic, carbon fiber side sill, and the new position of the mirrors. These are now located on the A-pillar to minimize interference with the airflow that moves the body.

Like the front, the rear has dispensed with the grill, leaving all the mechanical elements in sight. More remarkable is the new diffuser and its elaborate design. There is also room for a new mobile spoiler – DRS – of impressive size.

Thanks to the customization offered by McLaren MSO to customers, many of them chose to decorate their P1 GTR with one of the designs that the firm used in competition, as well as other already legendary racing decorations. In fact, the yellow and green decoration in the images is inspired by the French race-winning McLaren F1.

For its part, the carbon fiber cabin is dominated by a somewhat special steering wheel. It has started from the steering wheel used by McLaren in the MP4-23, the car with which Lewis Hamilton won his first Formula 1 title in 2008.

specs

In addition to the thorough exterior aerodynamic revision, the engine has also received changes that increase its power exponentially. The combustion engine, a 3.8 biturbo V8, now delivers 800 hp and the electric motor adds another 200 hp to the equation for a total of 1,000 hp (84 hp more than in the McLaren P1).

To this increase in strength must be added up to 50 kg of weight reduction thanks to the more intensive use of carbon fiber, the polycarbonate of the windows or an exhaust system made entirely of titanium. With these changes, the McLaren P1 becomes a much more extreme car.

They have only manufactured 35 units of the McLaren P1 GTR at an estimated price of 2.5 million euros before taxes. As a curiosity, the brand only offered the possibility of accessing one of them to those who already owned one of the 375 units of the exclusive McLaren P1.

Single brand cup

More than a single-brand cup, it would be necessary to speak of batches on the circuit. Organized by McLaren MSO, the lucky owners of these cars are invited to private sessions on the circuit in which almost all of them coincide. They can race if they want to, but the goal is plain and simple to unleash the car’s engine without restriction.

In addition to organizing the event, maintenance and commissioning is also carried out by qualified personnel expressly sent to the circuit. We must also talk about transport, and is that unlike Ferrari and its FXX program, McLaren P1 GTR customers have the option of keeping their car or letting the brand take it to the factory.

McLaren P1 LM

From the limited production of the P1 GTR a version called McLaren P1 LM was derived at the request of customers and that would not be produced by the brand itself. Only five units were produced plus a prototype, and they are nothing more than the road-approved version of the aforementioned GTR.

Its development was carried out by Lanzante Motorsport although it would finally receive the approval of McLaren itself. For its development , the hydraulic jacks system was eliminated, seats, windows and lighter hardware were added, as well as a rear spoiler and a front splitter with the ability to generate even more downforce.

To test the performance of the new beast, Lanzante used the prototype at the 2016 Goodwood Festival, where he would set the record. Later, in April 2017, the P1 LM took the record on the dangerous Nürburgring Nordschleife with a time of 6: 43.2.

McLaren P1 GTR data

• 2 doors
• 2 places
• Rear-wheel drive
• 800 hp 3.8 V8 engine + 200 hp electric motor
• 7-speed automatic transmission and double clutch
• Price: from 2.5 million euros