Carfection ends its McLaren F1, Mercedes CLK GTR, Porsche GT1 test

Carfection’s Henry Catchpole recently lived a fantasy in real time, driving the McLaren F1, Mercedes CLK GTR and Porsche 911 GT1 in a row on the same day. Such a three-way comparison is the dream of many car enthusiasts. Most of us will never see any of these cars in person, let alone drive one of them. Catchpole was able to ride all three on the same day and compare to see which was best. What a day that must have been.

As a BMW fan, you probably love the McLaren F1. Gordon Murray’s intellectual hypercar of the early 1990s uses a 6.1 liter naturally aspirated V12 that is often considered to be the largest street car engine ever built. It also has a six-speed manual transmission, center-seat driver position, and some of the most compact, clever packaging dimensions ever used in a street car. It is a work of minimalist art and engineering that still inspires three decades later.

That’s not to say the other two cars aren’t brilliant too, because they are. In fact, Mercedes-Benz bought a McLaren F1 GTR and recreated it as inspiration for the CLK GTR. So it’s pretty epic too. Just like the surprisingly forgiving Porsche 911 GT1, which feels like a racing car that actually gives you sovereign power on the road.

However, at the end of the day, Catchpole had to pick the best one. His choices are interesting; if he had to choose one as a museum piece and keep it in the collection just for looks, it would be the Mercedes; if he had to choose a trackday, he would choose the Porsche; but if he had to choose one for the rest of his life, he would choose the McLaren. It’s hard to deny because the McLaren F1 continues to thrill everyone who drives it to this day.

Of course it’s not perfect. By modern standards, the F1’s brakes are pretty crap, its headlights are practically useless at night, and some of its ergonomics aren’t great. However, the fact that a hypercar from the early 1990s can blow away enthusiasts not only with its performance but also with its good driving experience proves that it is one of the greatest vehicles ever built and one that will be enjoyed for the rest of the year want to own your life.