Skip advert
Advertisement

McLaren confirms GT3 racing programme for MP4-12C

McLaren announces MP4-12C GT3 supercar racing development programme announced

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 racing car

It’s been 15 years since the McLaren F1 GTR famously won the world-famous 24 Heures du Mans on its debut, and 12 years since six ‘Longtails’ last raced at Le Mans, but McLaren has confirmed it will be returning to sportscar racing in 2012 with the MP4-12C in the GT3 category. As part of the development programme, McLaren and CRS Racing will also compete at a limited number of European GT races in 2011. With the 12C’s lightweight one-piece moulded carbon chassis, its high levels of downforce and aerodynamic performance in road-going form, the 12C should prove to be a great platform on which to develop a racing car. Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren F1 Team Principal said: ‘Racing is in our blood – it was natural to develop a GT3 car alongside the 12C road car. We have a legendary history in global motorsport, including GT racing, and we aim to maintain that reputation with this GT3 programme, and any future sports car projects that may evolve. ‘The 12C’s architecture and design was always aimed at high-performance and ease of maintenance - two key criteria for potential customers. Combine that with the vast amount of racing experience in our automotive team, and CRS Racing’s specialist development experience, and the 12C GT3 should be an exciting proposition for the top teams planning torace in GT3 from 2012.’

Advertisement - Article continues below

VIDEO: F1’s Hamilton and Button drive the MP4-12C

NEWS: configure your McLaren MP4-12C supercar

PICTURE GALLERY: the new McLaren MP4-12C

FEATURE: McLaren F1 meets nine other great icons

Join evo's Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Volkswagen Passat 2025 review – a breath of fresh air next to leaden EVs
Volkswagen Passat front
Reviews

Volkswagen Passat 2025 review – a breath of fresh air next to leaden EVs

Being ‘only’ 1500kg has its advantages. The latest Passat in petrol-only form reminds us ‘normal’ cars can and should be above average
16 Apr 2025
Best German cars – our high-performance favourites from the Fatherland
Best German cars
Best cars

Best German cars – our high-performance favourites from the Fatherland

If you still think Germans don’t have a sense of humour, you haven’t driven their finest performance cars. You’d be grinning from ear to ear
18 Apr 2025
Why the Vauxhall Astra should have been given a different name
Vauxhall Astra GSE
Opinion

Why the Vauxhall Astra should have been given a different name

It’s time to reassess a perennially underrated hatchback, says Porter
17 Apr 2025