One of the highlights of the 2017 China GT Championship is the creation of the new GT4 class. The GT4 class is the newest addition to the GT family, and was established to allow more drivers to have the opportunity to participate in GT racing. Currently, all of the world’s top car manufacturers, including Ford, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche and BMW, have released their own GT4 vehicle, which has helped to increase the popularity of this class of racing. The Beijing race weekend saw the debut of one of the latest models in the current China GT GT4 class – the McLaren 570S GT4.

McLaren's brilliant track record in the F1 arena is well documented. However, the British brand, which embodies a wealth of experience and skill, is not content to reign supreme only in Formula One, and are now turning their attention to other arenas. The McLaren 570S GT4 is the latest car with which the racing giants hope to make their mark on the new GT4 Class.

The McLaren 570S GT4 is based on the original 570S model. After research and development was carried out by the McLaren GT motorsport division and independent motorsport company CRS GT, this model made its debut in the 2016 British GT Championship, as a competitor in the new GT4 class.

The McLaren 570S is also acting as Safety Car for the GTC and GT4 classes of the 2017 China GT Championship.

Power

Compared with the other racing classes, the GT4 class is a good entry point for gentlemen drivers or budding professionals. Like the 570S, the GT4 continues to use the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and 7-speed Graziano SSG dual-clutch system, but has undergone other specialised modifications designed with the race track in mind, including a carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis and FIA-approved roll cage.

Lightweight design

In order to reduce the weight of the car, the McLaren 570S GT4 uses carbon fibre and aluminium alloys on many different places on the bodywork. The front spoiler, large rear wing and diffuser also make the car more aerodynamic.

The Winning Team, commanding a McLaren 570S GT4, put on a dominant performance in the GT4 class during the Beijing opening race weekend of the 2017 China GT season, eventually bagging the top spot in both rounds. During qualifying, their lap times even beat some of those set in the GTC class. With the addition of the McLaren 570S GT4, the GT4 class will be the one to watch in the China GT Championship!