When McLaren recently revealed the latest member of the Ultimate Series club, even before seeing the car, the first surprise was the name. Unrestrained by the naming and numbering conventions of the Sport and Super Series, this car has been boldly christened the McLaren Senna. It is an indication of the car’s focus and purpose that the name of the most iconic of drivers has been bestowed.

There were audible gasps when the Senna was finally exposed. Form following function really is the design vision of this car: helicopter-style doors with lower glazed panels are a stand-out visual feature. Overall, this looks like a McLaren, but far more savage, and I suspect that is how it will drive.

Andy Palmer, vehicle line director, told us proudly there will be no allowance for storage, just enough for two helmets and a sandwich. More apt would be a box of tissues to mop the brow.

This is the lightest McLaren since the F1, with a 4.0 litre twin turbo V8 with power at 800PS and seven-speed dual clutch. These figures are indicative and impressive but won’t tell the whole story. What will is its lap time around the Nürburgring or any other track it chooses to run.

The term ‘track weapon’ is overused, but despite not having driven it, I would wager my house and possibly even my Panini sticker collection that around the track this Mac will slay all others with a number plate and a V5.

‘McLaren’ plus ‘Senna’ surely equals a future track-day legend.

£750,000; mclaren.com