Here's What Rally Legend Walter Röhrl Thinks About The McLaren F1

Walter Röhrl Sheds Light On The Early Days Of The Carrera GT

Röhrl reveals, that during the development phase back in the late ‘90s, the team used several existing models to benchmark the Porsche Carrera GT. He mentions models like the Porsche 959 and Ferrari F50 but reveals they always wanted a McLaren F1 for comparison. Unfortunately, they were never really able to get their hands on one.

The McLaren F1 of course was the undisputed king of hypercars for over a decade, as the Fastest Car In The World with its top speed of 240.1 mph, a title that it held until the Bugatti Veyron came along in the mid-2000s. Made between 1993 and 1997, only 106 examples were ever made and these cars now command prices in the region of $20 million. It’s a raw, unfiltered beast. With no electronic nannies to tame its power, a 6.1-liter gold-lined BMW V12 howling out at least 627 horsepower, and a curb weight of just over 2,200 pounds curb weight.

To Walter’s surprise, Karsten reveals an original McLaren F1 that was made available by BMW Classic. Röhrl expresses disbelief and is excited to finally see the car up close. Arndt mentions it belonged to a specific person at BMW and highlights its unique features: manual transmission, and lack of driving aids.

Here’s What The Carrera GT’s Cheif Test Driver Makes Of The McLaren F1

Röhrl takes Karsten for a test drive on his usual route. Walter initially finds the car unfamiliar due to the lack of power steering and the forward central seating position. However, he adjusts quickly and appreciates the car’s responsiveness and power. He acknowledges the limitations of driving such a car on public roads but mentions its impressive performance and surprising comfort.

Röhrl compares the McLaren F1 to the Carrera GT, acknowledging their different approaches to steering and power delivery. He admits this McLaren could be easily damaged by an inexperienced driver due to its power and handling. They discuss the difficulty of finding tires for this car and the impressive engineering behind its high-speed capabilities. Karsten expresses his immense joy at finally experiencing the McLaren F1 and seeing Röhrl drive it. He jokes about quitting his job as this was a dream come true.