Design Context
Like most of its major competitors (excluding the Williams FW09), the MP4/2 utilized an all-carbon fibre chassis, pioneered by designer John Barnard with its predecessor, the MP4/1. The chassis was designed by John Barnard, Steve Nichols, Gordon Kimball, Alan Jenkins, Tim Wright and Bob Bell. The car was built to accommodate the new TAG-Porsche engine, designed by Hans Mezger at Porsche, and to capitalize on the potential of turbocharging within the existing 1.5-litre engine regulations. The MP4/1 had been modified to MP4/1E specifications to test the new Porsche engine, proving its competitiveness before a full championship challenge.
Technical Specifics
The MP4/2 was powered by a 1.5-litre, 90° V6 TAG-Porsche turbo engine producing 650 bhp (485 kW; 659 PS) in race configuration and up to 800 bhp (597 kW; 811 PS) in qualifying trim with maximum turbo pressure. It was one of the first Formula One cars to employ carbon brakes, offering a significant advantage on most circuits, though less effective on street) circuits or in hot conditions. The car also benefitted from superior fuel consumption, with a 220-litre fuel tank. Later iterations, like the MP4/2B and MP4/2C, saw refinements to aerodynamics and engine power. The MP4/2B’s engine was refined to produce 850 bhp (634 kW; 862 PS) in race trim and 960 bhp (716 kW; 973 PS) in qualifying, while the MP4/2C saw minor aerodynamic tweaks. The suspension was redesigned in the MP4/2B after McLaren switched from Michelin to Goodyear tyres when the French company withdrew from Formula One.
Racing Career
In 1984, Niki Lauda and Alain Prost drove for McLaren. Lauda, having felt the need for race testing of the new engine, had pushed for its introduction at the 1983 Dutch Grand Prix. Prost, who had narrowly missed the 1983 championship with Brabham, joined McLaren after a falling out with Renault. The MP4/2 proved dominant, securing 12 wins throughout the season. Lauda won the championship by half a point over Prost in a dramatic final race at Portugal, where Prost needed a win and Lauda to finish third or worse to take the title. The MP4/2s often finished on the same lap, demonstrating their reliability and pace. The car excelled on high-speed circuits like Jacarepagua, Dijon, Silverstone), Zandvoort, Spa, and Kyalami-historic)-grand-prix-circuit), notably winning at the Österreichring in 1984. McLaren comfortably won the Constructors’ Championship with 143.5 points to Ferrari’s 57.5.
The 1985 season saw Prost win his first World Championship driving the updated MP4/2B. He secured 5 wins and wrapped up the title with two races remaining. The MP4/2B retained its strength on high-speed circuits. Lauda retired at the end of the season after winning the Dutch Grand Prix, demonstrating that McLaren did not enforce team orders.
In 1986, the MP4/2C was driven by Prost and Keke Rosberg, the 1982 World Champion. Rosberg struggled to adapt to the car’s setup, originally designed for the smoother driving styles of Prost and Lauda. John Barnard initially refused to allow Rosberg to alter the setup, a situation that was only resolved after Rosberg announced his retirement. Prost ultimately won his second World Championship in a dramatic final race in Australia, benefiting from tyre failures for his rivals, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet. The MP4/2C’s fuel tank was reduced to 195 litres by 1986, and the TAG engine’s power output had decreased relative to competitors’ engines.
Regulatory Outcomes
The success of the MP4/2 and its successors prompted changes to the regulations. In 1985, regulations were altered to ban the "winglets" on the rear wings of the cars, which had been in use since 1983, prompting updates to the MP4/2 to create the MP4/2B.
Legacy / Influence
The MP4/2’s success established McLaren as a dominant force in Formula One during the 1980s. The car’s carbon fibre chassis construction became a standard feature in Formula One car design. The MP4/2’s aerodynamic efficiency and rear-end traction influenced subsequent McLaren designs, and the car remains among the most successful chassis in Formula One history, having won 22 Grands Prix, contributing to 2 Constructors’ Championships, and 3 Drivers’ Championships. The MP4/2C was driven at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed by 2009 World Champion Jenson Button, who had joined McLaren in 2010.
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