The ultra-exclusive P1 GTR Driver Programme was launched at the Circuit de Catalunya, with seven very lucky -and very rich- people meeting their new track toy for the first time.
As you may have heard already, the experience of owning McLaren’s most powerful model ever includes some intense specialist driver and personal training as well as access to the company’s racing simulator, the same one Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button use for their F1 preparation.
Of course all this physical and mental preparation is needed when you are about to drive basically a 986hp hybrid race animal on the track not only to remain safe, but also to be able to fully exploit the abilities of the P1 GTR. Because we all know how frustrating it is when you can’t drive properly your hypercar.
“No two drivers are the same, and this programme is bespoke to each skill set, with our team of professional driver coaches, engineers and technicians working closely with the drivers, as they would in a top flight motorsport team,” said Paul Mackenzie, Executive Director of McLaren Special Operations. “This ensures the programme is adjusted accordingly to allow for the best to be seen of each driver and each car.”
Among the Driver Mentors of the programme is also Bruno Senna who set a benchmark laptime in Barcelona’s GP race circuit for the participants to work toward.
“This first event gave the drivers the first taste of what the McLaren P1 GTR can really do, and it has got each and every one of them hooked for the rest of the calendar,” said Chris Goodwin, McLaren’s Chief Test Driver. “From here, we will visit some of the most exciting and challenging circuits around the world.”
Other locations on McLaren’s P1 GTR Driver Programme calendar include Sepang International Circuit, Circuit of the Americas, Silverstone, Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Red Bull Ring, Spa-Francorchamps, Bahrain International Circuit and Yas Marina.
One of the participants was kind enough to upload an on board video from the event which gives us a small idea of how crazy-quick this thing really is.
PHOTO GALLERY
