Friday 26th September 2014

McLaren P1s flock to Spa

Hypercar owners will never use their cars properly? P1 drivers beg to differ

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Yes, that's 8,100 horsepower in one photo. This was the sight that dominated the lunch break at the Pure McLaren event at Spa earlier in the week. Pure McLaren events are normally strictly private days, to which journalists are not normally allowed.

But after a successful racing weekend in the 650S Sprint, PistonHeads was allowed through the gates of Spa Francorchamps to rub shoulders with both current McLaren owners and prospective buyers. There were certain restrictions in place, we'll admit. Certain faces and numberplates weren't to be photographed. People who can afford such extravagant luxuries as a P1 hypercar obviously also enjoy a little privacy as well.

You wait ages for one P1 to arrive, etc...

The special guest for the day was Emerson Fittipaldi, two times F1 world champion, amongst many other racing accolades. The ex-McLaren driver had the keys to the McLaren P1 press car Harris drove earlier in the year.

What was more amazing than seeing nine McLaren P1s on a trackday was riding along in one. Understandably, Fittipaldi's passenger seat was booked out for the day. But while some P1 owners are relative beginners on track, at least two privately-owned cars were sporting BRDC (British Racing Driver Club) stickers.

And we took a ride in one of them. And if there's one thing more breathtaking than seeing a McLaren P1 smear 916hp into the ground at La Source hairpin, then it has to be sitting inside one, doing the same thing.

Onboard round Spa in a P1

[gregf40]

I'd love to see some more photos of the orange one.

[Frimley111R]

WOW!!!!!!

[Planter]

not my normal type of colour, but I think the green one looks awesome!

[Dakkon]

You are a very lucky man Mr. Lomas

[timmeh2k]

I actually felt excited for you as you got into it. Was practically holding my breath. So jealous

[Killer2005]

Great video

[MyCC]

Quite rare when watching a car on a track that you get a sensation of speed. In this you certainly do!

What a machine!

Regards,

MyCC.

[trackdemon]

There will be some nice pictures of the Brit yellow one hitting the internet fairly soon Magnificent car from the pax seat, can only imagine what it's like on the left hand side!

[BREMBOV6]

Planter said:

not my normal type of colour, but I think the green one looks awesome!

Likewise!

[nonplussed]

That looks almost ridiculously fast, which takes some doing at Spa.

[Japveesix]

I love the P1 and actually found the idea of that many on track together quite exciting. Must have been great to be there and see them all flying around.

[Mr_B]

The green is a brave choice.

[3ananaPie]

Planter said:

not my normal type of colour, but I think the green one looks awesome!

This. The green car looks fantastic, although they all do really.

[epom]

Siiiigh how the other half live.... Looks like some fun though

[jiggawhat2k]

In my head I was playing Forza, driving my P1 around Spa. **sigh** Lucky guy!

[R_U_LOCAL]

Is that a 99p Halfords air freshener clipped to the centre vent?

Or a £999 titanium bodied air freshener filled with virgin tears and myrrh?

[gsuk1]

Desktop background please! Pretty Please with sugar on top!

The main picture of all the P1's on the start grid!

[MrBarry123]

Has to be one of the most exclusive events in the planet!

[scubadude]

R_U_LOCAL said:

Is that a 99p Halfords air freshener clipped to the centre vent?

Or a £999 titanium bodied air freshener filled with virgin tears and myrrh?

HA HA, glad I wasn't the only one who spotted it, you can see the G-Forces pushing the stink juice around in side :-)

No doubt Ron is furious- someone in McLaren has been fired for not including that in the car or the options list.


What a beast though, the noise is nicely hard edged with plenty of whoosh from the Turbo... if that's the road car you have to wonder how quick the proposed track car will be?

[Dave Hedgehog]

Planter said:

not my normal type of colour, but I think the green one looks awesome!

indeed it looked fab, would like to see more


and the wimp lifted for o rouge


not a very epic sounding car thou