'Top Gear' caught testing McLaren P1

The “Top Gear” boys were hanging in Belgium this week, shooting for the 21st season of the British television show. Some time next season we'll see the guys test this McLaren P1, caught by an observant YouTube poster.

The video starts with the crew ogling the P1 supercar in the garage at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, before the camera car, a matte black Mercedes SUV, and the McLaren hit the track.

We're not sure if its one of the presenters helming the P1 or the Stig, but we get a few loud pass-bys and some power sliding practice. Later, a helicopter takes to the sky, chasing the P1 around the track for some of those epic shots “Top Gear” is known for.

The McLaren P1 was first introduced at the Paris motor show last September. The British supercar will sport a midmounted version of the 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 from the MP4-12C, which will work with an electric motor to provide 903 hp and 664 lb-ft of peak torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to the rear wheels.

We'll bet the farm that the trio of Brits denounce the American-ness of the P1: it will only be offered in left-hand drive.

Check out more on the McLaren P1 here here.

By Jake Lingeman