McLaren


McLaren F1 GTR Longtail – Chassis 28R

By Ryan Gsellman

The McLaren F1 GTR Longtail was the ultimate development of McLaren’s record-breaking F1 platform. Built for the 1997 FIA GT Championship, the Longtail differed substantially from the earlier F1 GTRs, trading the road-car resemblance for a body extended at both ends, a taller rear wing, and far more aggressive aerodynamics. The package shaved weight to around 915 kilograms, while BMW’s 6.1-liter S70/3 V12—restricted for GT racing—still produced about 600 horsepower. With its sequential gearbox and track-focused geometry, the Longtail marked McLaren’s shift from converted road car to purpose-engineered GT1 machine.

Chassis 28R – The Last of the Line

Chassis 28R occupies a special place as the final F1 GTR ever built and the tenth Longtail produced. Delivered to GTC Competition’s Gulf Team Davidoff midway through 1997, it was intended as a spare but quickly became a frontline entry after heavy attrition struck the team’s primary cars. Wearing the now-legendary light-blue and orange Gulf/Davidoff livery, 28R became an unmistakable part of the FIA GT paddock.

Racing Career

28R first appeared at the Nürburgring 4 Hours in June 1997, driven by Andrew Gilbert-Scott and Anders Olofsson, though its debut ended in retirement after an accident. At Spa later that summer, the car was eliminated in a first-lap collision involving the Gulf squad. Despite this rough start, 28R later secured credible results: seventh place at Donington with Geoff Lees and Olofsson, tenth at Sebring, and sixth at Laguna Seca to conclude the season. These consistent points finishes helped Gulf/Davidoff remain competitive against the rising Porsche and Mercedes GT1 machines.

Key Specifications

  • Chassis: Carbon-fiber monocoque with extensive aero revisions.
  • Engine: BMW 6.1-liter S70/3 V12, naturally aspirated, ~600 bhp with restrictors.
  • Transmission: 6-speed sequential manual driving the rear wheels.
  • Weight: Approximately 915 kg.
  • Drivers: Anders Olofsson, Andrew Gilbert-Scott, Geoff Lees.

Later Life and Legacy

Following its competitive outings, 28R entered private hands and was preserved in Gulf/Davidoff colors. The car has since become a highlight of major concours and historic events, including The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering where it earned the “Spirit of The Quail” award. Collectors and enthusiasts prize it not only as the last McLaren F1 GTR built, but also as a living symbol of the late 1990s GT1 era.

Enduring Significance

Within the 28 total F1 GTRs produced, 28R represents both an ending and a beginning: the close of the F1’s racing story and the spark for McLaren’s future use of the “Longtail” designation on road-going supercars. For fans and historians, it remains one of the most evocative McLarens ever to line up on a grid—an embodiment of the moment when GT racing reached its zenith.