But….Wouldn’t a bespoke example of the actual McLaren Senna car be more appropriate as a tribute to the man?
It’s been 30 years since Ayrton Senna won the his first Formula 1 world championship. It was the first year the Brazilian driver had been driving for the McLaren Honda F1 team. It was a season filled with tumult stemming from the rivalry with teammate, then double world-champion Alain Prost, which formed shortly after Senna was signed on from Team Lotus.
To mark the occasion, McLaren has unveiled a bespoke example of its race-spec P1 GTR with livery designed to emulate the Marlboro-look livery worn on the MP4-4 racer that Ayrton used to dominate his first season racing for McLaren, done specifically through McLaren’s Special Operations division by an undisclosed private collector, who has christened it ‘Beco’ in honour of the nickname given to Ayrton by his parents.
The P1 GTR donor car (Chassis No.12) was the canvas used to express the work of close collaboration between the owner and the MSO team over a period of 3 years to create “ a tribute that echoed the Brazilian’s trademark perfectionism”.
Using a colour palette mainly composed of the Red Rocket and Anniversary White to recreate the 1980s F1 racer’s exterior theme, this unique example also features the Senna Brand Trademark on the front splitter, front air intakes, on each door, some of which are accompanied by the ‘Driven to Perfection’ slogan.
Some 800 hours of labour were poured into the paintwork alone, as well as faithfully integrating Senna’s driver number (12) on the car’s nose and fixed rear wing. Other touches include 30th Anniversary laurels behind the side windows and discreet branding to acknowledge McLaren’s most significant technical partners, past and present.
The P1 GTR is already a more potent machine compared to the standard P1, with its uprated hybrid powertrain producing 735kW, but the MSO team went a step further with this tribute example. The tune of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 has been altered to some degree (which is not revealed) and is complemented by a 24-carat gold heat shield, modified engine bay shrouds, and a Lexan rear cover.
Inside, the driver is greeted by Senna’s signature on the carbon fibre door sill and branding on the multi-function race steering wheel. Strapping in is a six-point harness affair in Alcantara seats lifted from the McLaren Senna supercar. There’s even a custom made crash helmet that matches the car’s livery.
Ansar Ali, Managing Director, McLaren Special Operations: “With a near-limitless range of bespoke additions available from McLaren Special Operations our clients are only restricted by their imagination and we can, of course, help with this too.”
“It is, however, also great to have the opportunity to pay tribute to our brand’s wonderful history, especially with this year marking the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s first Formula 1 World Championship title with McLaren. This project has been a labour of love for MSO; with extensive engine and aerodynamic enhancements in addition to the distinctive cosmetic treatment this car has received, this is certainly a landmark achievement.”
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