Here’s How Much Faster The McLaren P1 Is When Wearing Track Tyres
Recently, Chris Harris finally got together the Holy Trinity for a glorious track battle at the fantastic Portimao circuit in Portugal, with the video being released last week. For the comparison, Ferrari asked for the McLaren to be wearing the Pirelli Corsa road tyres that come as standard on both cars. For track use, though, the P1 can be specced with super sticky track-spec Pirelli Trofeo R tyres.
After the comparisons were complete, Chris took the car out on its track rubber to see just how much of a difference it makes. I won’t ruin the time difference, but there will be no surprises that it’s quicker. What’s interesting to note is that Chris can get on the power earlier out of every corner, and suffers far less traction troubles when doing so. On road rubber, the P1 looks like a bit of a handful, whereas on track tyres it looks violently grippy.
Check out the full video below, or skip to 11m 30s to see the original lap.
Comments
All the ‘racers’ with ££££ worth of adjustable coilovers (that they haven’t got a clue with) and budget tyres will be heading to get some decent rubber after watching this.
Durex will do.
Dat boost though
It’s a whole new thing.
This is nuts
I don’t see why Porsche and Ferrari didn’t want the P1 to use it’s track tires I mean you aren’t exactly gonna use the stock ones at the track and if they were so upset about the P1 having track tires maybe Porsche and Ferrari should ship there cars with them to
Because using Trofeo R tires is unrealistic. Why? Trofeo R tires only work if it is hot and dry outside. They are pretty much cut slicks and have no real world usability. Even Pirelli themselves say that using these tires on the road is not advised. They may be road-legal but it is like saying a 2000hp drag spec supra is road legal. Technically yes, but usable? Not in the slightest.
I don’t understand something, if the 918 is faster than all the other around all the other tracks, why isn’t it here?
Because our track is special :P
All the other tracks (anglesey/salomondrin whateve the heck that was) were much tighter tracks. In slow corners the 4wheel steering helps the 918 get round the corners and 4wd is a huge help putting the power down getting out of it. Laguna Seca the 918 was marginally faster than the P1, as the P1 was able to get it’s power down better. Portomao is a quick track, so the P1 has the advantage of power/weight and being able to use all that crazy aero.
That’s where the difference comes from. It really depends on the track with cars like this. There’s still only a tiny bit in it though. Personally, I don’t really care about half a second on a 2 minute lap. It’s not like I would be able to feel it or get the last tenths out of it in cars like these.
I’d have the Porsche because it’s the most astonishing technically, it’s naturally aspirated (probaly last of the breed) and on top of that, it’s the only one where you can take the roof off ;)
It is all because of the track. On some tracks 918 is faster because it prefers tighter tracks, with slow/mid speed corners and slow/mid speed acceleration.
P1 prefers open, fast tracks where it can use its mad aero and high speed acceleration advantage. 918 should be the faster car in the “real world” because most tracks have slow/mid speed corners. But that is just my speculation, might be totally wrong.
Reminds me of something yesterday
They are rotational tyres. They rotate. Of cource you’ll go fast!
JK tyre is only tyre that give you total control
I even read it with the indian accent!!
I feel much better now that I see even Chris Harris drives the P1 with keyboard on 1:16
Summing it all up. The 918 is the best all rounder, the P1 is the best track “weapon” and the LaFerrari is the most fun to drive, and also in my opinion the best looking. There you have it folks
This video is a recorded lap on a race game. Wake up people.
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