Aero downforce peaks at 1,000kg – 200kg more than the standard Senna offers – but comes with benefits to stability at all speeds in keeping with the car’s emphasis on accessible handling for drivers of all abilities, says McLaren. The ability to ‘stall’ the wing with an automatic drag reduction system (DRS) means top speed should be in excess of the fixed-wing GT3 racer.
With GT3 derived suspension, the GTR is not just lower than the Senna but also quite a bit wider. Front and rear tracks are wider by around 3-inches (77 and 68mm). Despite the bigger footprint, the GTR weighs in at 10kg less than the already very lean Senna thanks to measures including polycarbonate windows and a spartan, race-inspired cabin – although air-conditioning has been retained and a passenger seat is a no-cost option. Its dry weight of 1,188kg is impressive given the GTR comes with essential race kit including pneumatic air jacks and a fire extinguishing system.
With 825PS and that impressive dry weight, the GTR has a power-weight ratio of 694PS per tonne, the highest of any McLaren in current production and ahead of what is allowed in GT3 racing.
So is this the car to emulate one of motor racing’s most acclaimed achievements and, 25 years on, serve up another McLaren victory at Le Mans? McLaren Senna GTR vs Aston Martin Valkyrie vs Mercedes-AMG One – to mention just three – in wheel-to-wheel racing over 24 hours promises to provide a spectacle not to be missed.
We can but dream… meanwhile it will be a treat to see it first in West Sussex at the weekend.