News: Road-going VS track-only McLaren P1 GTR

First look at an un-camouflaged McLaren P1 GTR, how different is it from the road-going car? By Jerrica Leong

McLaren prides themselves for being different, therefore the McLaren P1 GTR must offer an on- and off-track driving experience like no other cars in the world. The P1 is currently reporting for testing at a range of international circuits and the first un-camouflaged and un-liveried images show the latest aerodynamic and cooling updates being trialled.

How different is the track-only P1 from the road-going car? Well, images reveal that the cockpit is built to be as focused on the driver as possible and is stripped of all but the bare essential items in a bid to keep weight to a minimum. Don’t worry, they did not stripped off the air-conditioning! The centrepiece of the cockpit features an F1 style steering wheel. It’s not just any F1 inspired steering wheel, it was designed based on the 2008 Formula 1 championship-winning MP4-23.

Probably the only thing that the track-only version shares with the road-going car is the MonoCage chassis. Since the “rollcage” is incorporated into the MonoCage chassis, the drivers will see no change in headroom space.

The P1’s test team of engineers, technicians and development drivers continues to progress through the testing programme. The car recently completed a run around the extreme hot weathered Bahrain International Circuit with results either meeting or exceeding the team’s expectations.

This is extremely pleasing news to the team as the run in Bahrain was designed to push the capabilities of the P1’s upgraded IPAS powertrain, ensure optimised balance and handling characteristics along with working through the aerodynamic developments. This includes the dramatic fixed-height rear wing which includes the Formula 1 style Drag Reduction System (DRS).

The McLaren P1 GTR will continue its development process, with further mileage schedule over the winter throughout Europe. You didn’t think McLaren would end it at extreme hot weathers do you?