McLaren P1 GTR

[Wretched]

McLaren has released images of its P1 GTR undergoing testing in Bahrain, providing us with the first glimpse of its race-inspired interior. Twenty years after it won Le Mans in F1 guise, the iconic GTR badge sees the P1’s power rise to 986bhp, with the price set at £1.98million. McLaren claims the P1 GTR will be ‘the best driver’s car in the world on track.'

The arrival of the new pictures confirms the cabin of the P1 GTR will be seriously focused and ditch almost all luxuries. The steering wheel - which takes inspiration from Lewis Hamilton's 2008 Formula 1 World Championship winning McLaren MP4-23 - enables the car's driving modes to be adjusted without the driver removing their hands. The IPAS and DRS buttons are also unsurprisingly located here.

Passengers sit in lightweight 'DTM-style' seats with full six-point racing harnesses and HANS mounts. The seats and belts will be custom made to fit the driver - as is the case in F1 and DTM - and aircon has been retained like in GT3 racing cars, most likely because many GTR customers will be using their cars in the hot climates of the Middle East.

McLaren announced the special track-focused P1 earlier in the year, with the new more hardcore variant honed specifically for use on the track. McLaren promises its P1 GTRs will offer unrivalled levels of performance and grip. As is the case with proper GT racing cars, the P1 GTR features a fixed rear wing, rather than the clever active unit of the road car.

The standard road going P1 isn’t exactly lacking in downforce, but without the restrictions of road legislation McLaren Automotive will be able to fine-tune the aero setup of the hybrid hypercar to substantially increase downforce during testing. The effects of this will be heightened further with the use of racing slick tyres and a widened track, whilst a higher level of tune for the combustion and electric powertrain has resulted in an extra 83bhp, bringing total output to 986bhp.

To ensure these even more potent P1 GTRs are accessible for the average-level driver, McLaren has launched a driver programme, tailored to each individual to bring their capabilities up standard. This includes consultations with the McLaren driver fitness team and Design Director Frank Stephenson, practice in simulators and running in no less than six international drive events held at global F1 tracks.

Currently undergoing extensive testing at circuits across the globe, production for the limited-run P1 GTR won't commence until the 375th and final P1 road car has left the assembly line at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking. To get your hands on one of these extreme track only cars, you’ll need to spend at least £1.98million. Testing won't be finished before the close of winter however, so get saving those pennies...

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