McLaren P1 GTR MSO Senna

In 1988, a certain Ayrton Senna da Silva won his first Formula 1 World Championship title. He already caused a sensation previously with Toleman and Lotus, so his title in the superior McLaren Honda wasn’t much of a surprise anymore. However, he had to prevail against a strong teammate: Alain Prost. The fact, that those two clashed and crashed many times in the following years, isn’t new to longtime F1 fans. The legendary winning vehicles from this era are admired worldwide until today, if they are to be seen. Most of them are still part of the car collection of McLaren and only rarely shown at exhibitions or car shows.

For one customer these rare sightings were not enough. As he is fortunate enough to own one of only 59 built P1 GTRs, he asked the MSO department (McLaren Special Operations) whether a remodeling in the style of the first world championship car of Ayrton Senna, the MP4/4, would be possible. Together they not only developed a fitting livery in a three-year process, but also added a few unique attachments to the vehicle, which now differentiate it from the other 58 models. Of course, there was no color alternative to ‘Anniversary White’ and ‘Marlboro Red’, the colors of the then main sponsor of the tobacco industry. Deviating from the 1988 racecar, the P1 GTR shows stickers of today’s tire partner Pirelli and various imprints of the Senna logo.

New are the extended end plates with slots, which should calm the air flow as on modern Formula 1 cars, and the large rear wing with a new Gurney flap. Laterally on the rear bumper new canards can be found. On the front bumper modified flics and a wider splitter are used to increase the downforce on the front axle. In addition, this P1 GTR received a motor upgrade compared to its 58 model siblings, inserted between gold heating insulation as on the legendary McLaren F1.

Also inside the car received some transformations. A quote from Ayrton Senna adorns the inner sills: “I’m not designed to finish 2nd or 3rd… I’m designed to win.” There are also some Senna logos on the steering wheel, the dashboard and on the headrests. Instead of the carbon sports seats actually developed for the P1 GTR, this car shows the bucket seats of the newer McLaren Senna.

Bilder: McLaren