McLaren MP4/1
McLaren MP4 (MP4/1), competed in the 1981 Formula One season | |||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | McLaren | ||||||||
| Designer(s) | John Barnard (Technical Director, Chief Designer) Alan Jenkins (Chief Engineer) John Baldwin (Design Office Engineer) Mike Lock (Design Office Engineer) Collin Smith (Design Office Engineer) Steve Nichols (Design Office Engineer) | ||||||||
| Predecessor | M30 | ||||||||
| Successor | MP4/2 | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Chassis | Carbon fibre monocoque | ||||||||
| Engine | 1981-1983: mid-engine, longitudinally mounted, Ford-Cosworth DFV, 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in), NA, 90° V8 1983: mid-engine, longitudinally mounted, TAG-Porsche TTE PO1, 1,499 cc (91.5 cu in), turbo, 90° V6, | ||||||||
| Transmission | McLaren / Hewland FGA 400 5-speed manual | ||||||||
| Power | 510 hp (380.3 kW) @ 11,000 rpm (Cosworth DFY V8), 700 hp (522.0 kW) @ 11,500 rpm (TAG-Porsche V6 turbo) | ||||||||
| Tyres | Michelin | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Marlboro McLaren International | ||||||||
| Notable drivers | 7. John Watson 8. Andrea de Cesaris 8. Niki Lauda | ||||||||
| Debut | 1981 Monaco Grand Prix | ||||||||
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| n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only. | |||||||||
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The McLaren MP4/1 (initially known as the MP4) was a Formula One racing car produced by the McLaren team. It debuted at round three of the 1981 season, the Argentine Grand Prix, and saw continued use in 1982 and 1983. It was one of the first Formula One cars to use a monocoque chassis wholly manufactured from carbon fibre composite, a concept which is now ubiquitous. Whilst the Lotus 88 was the first Formula One car to debut with a composite chassis at the US Grand Prix West at Long Beach that was the opener for the 1981 season, it was banned during that race weekend, so the MP4/1 was the first to actually race with a composite chassis. The chassis was designed by John Barnard, Steve Nichols and Alan Jenkins. The car was initially powered by a Ford-Cosworth DFV engine, which was the standard in Formula One at the time.