McLaren P1 GTR new details

Fitness programmes, simulator training and a personal race team for the 375 GTR customers. And 1,000hp.

How many times have you heard 'F1-inspired' disingenuously used to describe some new feature on a car? Probably too many. When McLaren uses it, however, you sense the approach is rather more genuine.

Needs more carbon

Look at the steering wheel for the P1 GTR. Its design is based on the MP4-23 Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 F1 championship and does appear almost directly lifted from motorsport. It includes Drag Reduction System and Instant Power Assist System buttons as in the standard P1 but also a pit lane speed limiter, a full beam flash and a neutral button. The handling and powertrain toggle switches have migrated from the dash too, allowing the set-up to be configured without the driver having to remove their hands from the wheel. Because race car, or something like that.

The carbon buckets will be tailored to each buyer, mounted directly to the chassis to save further weight. The GTR is focused enough to be HANS ready but the air-con stays. Phew.

The pics seen here are from hot weather testing in Bahrain with development focused on the upgraded IPAS, handling on slicks and the aero with that ruddy great fixed wing. In Carbon Black with bare carbon bodywork the P1 GTR looks absolutely evil. Fabulously evil.

Every GTR owner will get their own race team

In addition to the car, McLaren has released further information on the P1 GTR 'Driver Programme'. Each owner will enjoy access to the McLaren Technology Centre and 'gain a unique insight into the steps McLaren drivers take after signing for the team'. A driver programme to 'hone and optimise skills' will be devised also, every GTR owner given a dedicated race team including head engineer and driver coach at each event. Very serious. There will be 10-12 P1 GTR races next year across the world's F1 circuits with drivers choosing six to take part in. The P1 GTR Director Paul Mackenzie said: "It is a programme that has been developed over the years for our Formula 1 and young drivers. It's not just about fitness, but also about mental preparation, and looks at the full wellbeing of the driver."

Conveniently enough, McLaren has also made a video further explaining the driver programme. There's a few seconds of GTR footage as well, just in case you needed further incentive to watch.

Video here.