As long ago as 2005—only seven years after the conclusion of its Le Mans-winning F1 programme—McLaren started preliminary design work on its next generation GT car: the MP4-12C. However, unlike its predecessor, McLaren’s new charge was intended for series production and the company aimed to challenge the existing market dominance enjoyed by the likes of Ferrari and Porsche.

The MP4-12C featured a lightweight carbon fibre “MonoCell” chassis, to which a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V-8 engine of McLaren’s own design, and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, were fitted. Predictably, technology abounded, with McLaren’s ingenious brake steer and ProActive chassis control systems—not to mention adaptive dampers and electro-hydraulic roll control—affording the car handling widely accepted as class-leading.

With dramatic styling by design legend Frank Stephenson, genuine 330 km/h (200 mph) performance and a 0-100 km/h time superior even to that of the mighty F1, the car was a commercial success, with almost 3,500 produced between 2011 and 2014. Following a discussion at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2012 between Dragon Racing Chairman Leon Price and McLaren Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh, the 12C GT Sprint was launched to bridge the performance gap between the road car and its GT3-specification racing counterpart.

Significantly, GT Sprint chassis were to be hand-built by McLaren GT, the newly-established racing arm of McLaren Automotive (formerly McLaren Cars). Each retained the same basic chassis, engine, and gearbox as the road car, albeit with power increased to some 616 horsepower and its brake steer and PCC systems optimised for circuit use.

The fitment of 19-inch centre-lock wheels, slick tyres and a GT3-inspired front bumper, radiator, front splitter, bonnet, front wing louvres, and rear wing afforded the track-only variant a noticeably more aggressive stance than the MP4-12C, as did the lowering of its ride height by some 40 millimetres, solid suspension bushes, and enhanced powertrain calibrations designed for the track. Additionally, the GT Sprint featured a minimalist, race-derived interior including a GT3-specification LED dashboard, competition seats, and multi-point roll cage, while further evidence of the car’s high-performance focus was provided by its onboard air jack system and FIA-approved fuel cell.

Production of the GT Sprint was originally set at 20 cars, although only 14 were built. This magnificent example, despite its designated chassis number, was the first completed. The car was delivered new to prominent UAE-based race team—and project partner—Dragon Racing, in whose care it has remained ever since. Fastidiously maintained by Dragon Racing throughout its life, chassis 007 benefitted from a service and spanner check in April 2022 and would no doubt be an exhilarating track tool in the hands of its fortunate next owner.