Come 1998, it’s fair to conclude that GT1 had evolved well beyond the McLaren F1 GTR, which lead the exponential leap that would come to be remembered by the otherworldly Porsche 911 GT1 and Mercedes CLK GTR.
MAR 15th 2017
Video: How the CLK GTR changed the GT1 landscape
The pace of GT1 mutation left the 911 GT1 in its third major iteration after just two years running, with the mad GT1 98 by all appearances straddling the gap between GT and Prototype. The monstrous CLK moved through GTR to V8 LM specifications part way through the 1998 season.
Both of these incredible machines suffered for the speed of their gestation, as GT1 98s were engulfed in flames at Hockenheim (though no such issues afflicted 1998’s Le Mans winner!), and the remaining V12 CLKs suffered engine issues. Watch, in the video above, as we’re taken through the highlights of the 1998 FIA GT Championship, as the GT1 breed continued to swell toward breaking point.
Just a couple more days until some of these animals are on track at Goodwood for 75MM!

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