McLaren Automotive is preparing for its first appearance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 26 years after the McLaren name was last represented on the grid at the iconic race. Three McLaren cars are entered for the event, marking the first time that McLaren has been represented in all three ‘Triple Crown of Motorsport’ races – including the Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500 – in the same season.
In 1995, McLaren’s F1 road car made a stunning debut win at the Le Mans 24 Hour race. Over the next three seasons, it also claimed a win in the GT1 class and a second-place finish overall in 1997, after being modified into the Longtail form. These accomplishments are especially impressive given that the F1 was not originally designed as a race car and required minimal modification to be competitive.
The McLaren GT3 EVO has been modified to meet LMGT3 requirements while still maintaining key similarities to its F1 GTR predecessor.
The chassis is built with advanced technologies first used in Formula 1 by McLaren and continued in its road cars, starting with the F1 30 years ago. The central monocoque, which forms the occupant cell, is the carbon fiber Monocage II found in the 750S, and is chosen for its rigidity, strength, and lightweight construction. This chassis provides a safe environment for the driver, especially in high-speed racing at events like Le Mans.
The chassis is part of the driver-focused environment shared by McLaren’s road and race drivers. Racing drivers benefit from the accurate and confidence-inspiring steering in all McLaren Automotive products. The McLaren GT3 EVO uses the same steering rack and column as the 750S to directly translate the driver’s inputs for perfect track positioning.
The McLaren with plate number GT3 EVO is powered by a 4-litre twin-turbo V8, initially designed for track and road performance. The engine features advanced technologies such as variable valve timing and dry-sump lubrication. Despite restricted power due to GT racing rules, drivers will still benefit from its exceptional power delivery and durability over long distances.
The McLaren 750S boasts racing-specific features like track-specific brakes, slick tyres, and aerodynamic enhancements that are not road-legal. In addition, owners enjoy advanced features such as the active rear spoiler, customizable powertrain modes, and the Proactive Chassis Control III system. They also have the option to choose the Spider model with a retractable hardtop that operates swiftly in just 11 seconds.
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