McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Closer to Being Unleashed

McLaren is keeping the MP4-12C GT3 media fire alive, offering us a new sneak peak into the vehicle’s development process. The vehicle has recently completed a series of tests held at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain, coming one step closer to the racing action.

“The concept phase of the new MP4-12C GT3 race car began in the McLaren simulator in 2010. Like McLaren Formula 1 cars and the 12C road car, on which the 12C GT3 is based, the simulator has played a vital role in defining the GT3’s engineering requirements and technical specification. More recently, the 12C GT3 tested at FIA certified circuits and is producing race ready performance,” stated the press release.

The MP4-12C GT3 is set to undergo a complex development and testing program over the 2011 season, before 20 units of the racer are delivered to private racing teams next year. The full technical specification, driver line-up and race schedule for the vehicle will be revealed by McLaren Group Chief Executive Officer Martin Whitmarsh at a press conference that will be held at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, England on May 4.

“We defined the power, weight and downforce targets of the 12C GT3 using the simulator, and the set-up selected for the simulated GT3 car felt near-identical to the cars we tested for the first time in Navarra. The McLaren simulator is just one example of how we are preparing to deliver a GT3 car that is the most driveable, reliable and efficient car on the grid,” said Mark Vinnels, McLaren GT Programme Director.