McLaren has always insisted that the track-focused Senna is much more than a re-skinned 720S, but after watching the video below, you may begin to wonder if the premium the Senna carries over the 720S is actually worth it.
Ex-Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg recently got a black 720S and a Gulf-themed Senna at the Dubai Autodrome to see which of the two is quickest both in a straight line and around the track.
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In the first race, the 720S launched off the line slightly quicker than the Senna, quickly establishing a lead over its more powerful, lighter, track-focused sibling. Rosberg immediately points out that the Senna suffered a whole bunch of wheelspin off the line, hence why it lost. With the race-focused tires of the hypercar better warmed up for the second race, it was able to rocket ahead of the 720S and quickly establish a huge lead.
Next, the duo were each taken around the circuit for a hot lap with Rosberg behind the wheel. The best time the racer achieved with the 720S was a 1:10.84. By comparison, the Senna was able to lap the same circuit under the same conditions in just 1:06.95, almost a full four seconds faster.
There’s no doubt that McLaren outdid itself with the 720S and, while it’s almost been three years since the car’s unveiling in early 2017, it remains at the forefront of the supercar industry. At the same time, the Senna represents another leap in performance.