In GT1, defending champions McLaren-BMW had updated 1996-spec cars, with tighter air restrictors dropping the power output slightly. This time they included a pair run as a BMW works team (through their Italian partners Bigazzi).
For the GT1 race, defending champions McLaren-BMW utilized updated versions of their 1996-spec cars, with tighter air restrictors that lowered power output. They ran two cars as a BMW works team, partnered with Bigazzi in Italy.