Gordon Murray has signed-off development of the T.50!

Here we go then folks: 969 days after we got our first proper look at Gordon Murray’s staggering 654bhp three-seater, the man himself has given the car his official stamp of approval to bring development to a close. Next up, production.

No wonder he’s smiling. Gordon Murray Automotive has spent years doing the hard yards on the McLaren F1 successor at the firm’s base in Dunsfold, with ambassador and three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti giving his input along the way.

In fact, it’s Franchitti who delivers the car to Murray for the all-important sign-off drive. “This really is the next F1, and that was my intention,” says Murray. “The T.50 had to deliver all that car did, but better - and that's what it does. It's such a driver-focused and exciting car to drive...and as for the V12 engine, all I can say is wow!”

Even though the 76-year-old simply stuck to an A-road, you can still hear how tuneful that 4.0-litre Cosworth is at sensible speeds. Just wait for the tunnel bit in the video below, crank the volume up and thank us later.

Now, who do we speak to about test drives?