GB4 Championship leader Linus Granfors went behind the scenes at the McLaren Technology Centre on Monday (9 September), with the rising Swedish star enjoying an up-close look at one of F1’s most revered facilities.
Granfors received the tour courtesy of long-time Pole Position Cup award provider John Cavill, who elected to provide the experience to the driver leading the championship standings at the midway point of the season (following round 11 at Snetterton in July).
The experience started with a look at the team’s incredible heritage on the famous Boulevard, with numerous race-winning F1 machines mixed with other cars from McLaren’s range including the legendary F1 supercar plus the contemporary Artura and 750S models.
After a thorough grounding of how Bruce McLaren established the team in the early 1960s, Granfors was brought fully up to-date with a view of the McLaren Shadow Esports facility. An in depth look at the real world followed during a tour of the Racing department, including a close-up look at the rebuilding process of Ayrton Senna’s final race-winning MP4/8 machine from 1993.
Granfors was also given a look at the Mission Control facility, where vital strategy decisions are made during an F1 race weekend.
Trips to the wind tunnel, the team’s extensive trophy collection and a bird’s eye view of the impressive McLaren Automotive facility followed, providing career inspiration for the six-time GB4 race winner.
“It’s been really good to see all the cars and how they’re built” Granfors said. “I’ve had a brilliant time, thanks so much to McLaren and John for the opportunity.
“To see the Senna car being rebuilt in the race bay was amazing, I didn’t expect to see that! It’s such a famous car, so to stand next to it and have a look at how it is built was very special.
“I’ve seen the McLaren Technology Centre in lots of videos before, but to actually come here was amazing. It’s the kind of place I hope to spend a lot more time in later in my career.”
