The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Dario Franchitti approved the final prototype of the track-only Gordon Murray Automotive T.50s Niki Lauda after a production approval test at Bahrain International Circuit. RACER reported his lap at 1m53.03s—more than seven seconds quicker than the circuit’s GT3 benchmark established in 2001. That is the specific comparison behind the “record-setting” headline; the report does not establish an independently sanctioned outright lap record.
What happened in the T.50s final test?
The Bahrain drive was the Production Approval Test, the final prototype evaluation before customer-car production. Franchitti drove the car and approved it for production, according to RACER’s March 4, 2026 report.
GMA selected Bahrain for the stresses it could put on the car and its systems. The test was intended to assess repeated hard braking, tire wear, low-grip behavior, aerodynamic profiles and stability at high speed. RACER reported a longitudinal braking peak of 3G, lateral force of 2.7G and a speed above 184 mph. These are figures reported from the test, not independently instrumented data presented by the source.
What was the lap time, and what did it beat?
Franchitti’s reported lap was 1m53.03s. RACER said it was more than seven seconds faster than Bahrain’s GT3 benchmark, established in 2001. The claim is a comparison with that cited GT3 benchmark—not proof of a sanctioned all-class circuit record.
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What makes the T.50s different from a road car?
The T.50s Niki Lauda is a dedicated track-only configuration, rather than a road car prepared for occasional circuit use. RACER describes a car weighing less than 900kg, with a bespoke powertrain and adjustable aerodynamics.
| Feature | T.50s Niki Lauda specification reported by RACER |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.9-litre Cosworth GMA V12 |
| Power | 772PS at 11,500rpm |
| Maximum engine speed | 12,100rpm |
| Transmission | Bespoke six-speed paddle-shift gearbox |
| Driving position | Central |
| Aerodynamics | Adjustable setup capable of generating up to 1,200kg of downforce |
| Weight | Less than 900kg |
Those figures help explain the car’s focus: low mass, a high-revving V12 and substantial configurable aerodynamic load. They are specifications reported by RACER, not a claim that every setup produces the maximum downforce in every condition.
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What did Gordon Murray say the car was designed to do?
Professor Gordon Murray, CBE, Executive Chairman of Gordon Murray Group, said: “This car was never about setting lap times.” He described the aim as designing “the lightest, optimally-powered, most driver-centric track car possible.” The Bahrain time drew attention, but Murray’s stated design intent was centered on the car’s weight, power and driver focus.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How many T.50s cars were planned?
RACER reported on March 4, 2026, that customer-car production was underway, with a planned run of 25 cars and completion targeted for mid-2026. It said the cars were being hand-built in the UK with Multimatic. Mid-2026 was a target reported at that time, not confirmation that production was subsequently completed on schedule.
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