Five Unique McLaren Senna GTR LM’s Inspired by 24 Hours of Le Mans

McLaren Special Operations has revealed five unique Senna GTR LM models inspired by the McLaren F1 GTR’s that ruled the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans.

McLaren’s bespoke division, the McLaren Special Operations (MSO) have revealed five special customer commissioned McLaren Senna GTR LM models inspired by the five McLaren F1 GTR’s that took out 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 13th position at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. An even more astounding feat considering this was the first year McLaren had ever raced at Le Mans, and it was only three years after the creation of the F1.

“The incredible cars of the McLaren Senna GTR LM collection are an exceptionally fitting way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our Le Mans victory in 1995,’” commented Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive, when sharing on the new models. “That achievement is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest endurance racing performances of all time, but for McLaren its importance was even greater because it demonstrated an immediate and undeniable connection between the racing DNA of our brand and the start of our road car journey.”

Based on the McLaren Senna GTR, which is McLaren’s fastest-lapping car outside of McLaren’s Formula 1 vehicles, the new GTR LM models have been given an upgraded powertrain producing 845PS and 800Nm from a recalibrated 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 engine (offering 20PS more than the regular Senna GTR).

Each of the five special editions has received a unique hand-painted livery that pays tribute to its matching 1995 McLaren Le Mans car, along with bespoke features like the LM steering wheel with anodized gold gear shift paddles and control buttons, six-point fitted racing harnesses, gold-colored brake calipers and suspension wishbones and distinctive five-spoke OZ racing wheels reminiscent of the original F1 GTR.

“We wanted to make a major statement with this collection,’” explained Ansar Ali, Managing Director of McLaren Special Operations. “In creating these incredible cars to the requirements of some of our most discerning customers, we are showcasing the astonishing array of talent we have within MSO – a team that can visualise, design, produce and deliver products that really do take your breath away.

“The McLaren Senna GTR LM project has been a labour of love for nearly two years; we have gone to great lengths not only to perfect the engineering aspects of the cars, but also to gain co-operation from brand holders and partners to maximise authenticity.”

The Le Mans editions also feature a dedicated “1 of 1” nameplate with its VIN and the provenance details of its 1995 Le Mans F1 GTR “twin,” including the date of the race, the names of the three race drivers in that car, and the position in which they finished.

A bonus to owning one of the five limited editions is that each owner will be offered the opportunity to participate in a unique Le Mans circuit driving experience at the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans event (originally scheduled for 2020 now rescheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions). Owners will be able to drive their own GTR LM’s around the circuit on the morning of the race accompanied by the original F1 GTRs that competed in 1995.

McLaren Senna GTR LM 825/1 “The Ueno Clinic Car”

A tribute to the McLaren F1/01R, the winner of the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans and often referred to as “The Ueno Clinic Car.”

The charcoal grey livery with Ueno Clinic branding was relatively unknown at the time but was thrust into the limelight after their win. The McLaren Special Operations team has recreated the same 1995 livery and created a new paint tone, “Ueno Grey,” especially for it.

Other details of the original car have faithfully been recreated, including the cars unique driving lamps and the OZ Racing wheels.

The car bearing race number 59 was driven in 1995 by two-time Le Mans winner Yannick Dalmas, Japanese veteran Masanori Sekiya and former Formula One driver, JJ Lehto.

McLaren Senna GTR LM 825/6 “The Harrods Car”

A tribute to the McLaren F1/06R that finished 3rd in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans and often referred to as “The Harrods Car.”

The bright yellow livery with contrasting green stripe was courtesy of the partnership with the London department store Harrods. While a 2015 McLaren P1 GTR was also finished in the same livery style, this is the first time the Harrods logo has appeared on a McLaren in 25 years. To achieve the same finish, the McLaren Special Operations went with Solar Yellow for the body and Heritage Green for the stripe and matching pinstripe detailing.

Driven by British drivers Andy Wallace, Derek Bell, and Justin Bell, the 1995 Harrods Car (51) was a contender for 1st place when it suffered a transmission fault two hours from the flag that saw Wallace nurse the car across the finish line to place third.

McLaren Senna GTR LM 825/2 “The Gulf Car”

A tribute to the McLaren F1/02R that finished 4th and is often referred to as “The Gulf Car.”

Driven by Brazilian Maurizio Sandro Sala and Brits Mark Blundell and Ray Bellm, Car 24 McLaren F1 GTR completed 291 rain-lashed laps at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995, eventually finishing in fourth place.

For this design, the McLaren Special Operations team has reimagined the 1995 Gulf Racing livery and used Gulf 95 Blue and Gulf 95 Orange with pinstripes to create a modern take on the original.

Oz Racing wheels have been used to finish the look in vivid orange and sills and roof strip in Gulf 95 silver and the Gulf Oil logo on the bonnet and doors.

Aryton Senna’s signature has also been emblazoned on the rear quarter of the bodywork.

McLaren Senna GTR LM 825/7 “The Jacadi Car”

A tribute to the McLaren F1/07R (Car 50) that finished in 5th place and often referred to as “The Jacadi Car.”

Driven by French-based customer team Giroix Racing (French drivers Fabien Giroix and Olivier Grouillard) and Swiss pilot Jean-Denis Deletraz, Car 50 was only a lap behind the “Gulf Car” in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans when it finished 5th.

The McLaren Special Operations team has reimagined the original royal blue livery on the McLaren Senna GTR LM. The proudly French-themed livery sees a bright “Le Mans Blue” for the body while a metallic blue known as “Polaris” has been used for the complementing details along with authentic Elf logos of the French oil company.

McLaren Senna GTR LM 825/5 “The Cesar Car”

A tribute to the McLaren F1/05R (Car 42) that finished 13th and is often referred to as “The Cesar Car.”

The matching McLaren Senna GTR LM has been given a modern reinterpretation of the livery and has been given design details like the pole position lap times, contemporary race trophies, and Le Mans branding cues.

Run by French team Société BBA, Car 42 was driven by an all-French line-up of Jean-Luc Maury-Laribiere, Marc Sourd, and Hervé Poulin at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. Maury-Laribiere and Poulin were pioneers of ‘art cars’ and asked renowned artist Cesar Baldaccini to envisage a livery for the F1 GTR they would be racing at Le Mans.

An experienced endurance racer, Poulin’s fine collection of racing trophies became the inspiration for Cesar’s work on the McLaren.

All five limited editions have now been completed and will be delivered to owners in the United States, Europe, and the UK.

As with all bespoke commissions created by McLaren Special Operations, their value remains undisclosed unless the owners choose to share this detail.