McLaren MP4/11

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McLaren MP4/11
McLaren MP4-11.JPG
The MP4/11 on display at Stars and Cars  [ de ] event on Stuttgart in 2007
Category Formula One
Constructor McLaren
Designer(s) Neil Oatley (Executive Engineer)
Steve Nichols (Engineering Director)
Matthew Jeffreys (Head of Vehicle Design)
David North (Chief Transmission Engineer)
David Neilson (Chief Suspension Engineer)
Paddy Lowe (Head of R&D)
Henri Durand (Head of Aerodynamics)
Mario Illien (Chief Engine Designer (Ilmor-Mercedes))
Predecessor MP4/10C
Successor MP4/12
Technical specifications
Chassis carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)inboard spring/damper operated by pushrod bellcrank/unequal-length wishbones
Suspension (rear)inboard spring/damper operated by pushrod bellcrank/unequal-length wishbones
Engine Ilmor-built Mercedes-Benz FO110/3 75-degree V10
Transmission McLaren six-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Power720 hp (537 kW) @ 15,700 rpm [1]
Fuel Mobil 1
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Marlboro McLaren Mercedes
Notable drivers7. Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen
8. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Coulthard
Debut 1996 Australian Grand Prix
Last event 1996 Japanese Grand Prix
RacesWins Podiums Poles F/Laps
160600
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The McLaren MP4/11 was the car with which the McLaren team competed in the 1996 Formula One World Championship. The chassis was designed by Neil Oatley, Steve Nichols, Matthew Jeffreys, David North, David Neilson, Paddy Lowe and Henri Durand, with Mario Illien designing the bespoke Ilmor engine. It was driven by Finn Mika Häkkinen, who was in his third full season with the team, and Briton David Coulthard, who moved from Williams.

Contents

Overview

Background

McLaren had endured a mostly disappointing season in 1995, with the MP4/10 beset by handling and reliability problems in the team's first year in partnership with Mercedes-Benz, although it did score two podiums and regular points. The second year of the arrangement was to be far more productive with both performance and reliability improved, but the team had yet to make the serious breakthrough necessary to challenge the "big three" of Williams, Ferrari and Benetton.

Pre-season testing

In pre-season testing, which took place at Estoril in February 1996 and Silverstone in March, four-times world champion Alain Prost was brought in as a technical advisor to test-drive the MP4/11 in Häkkinen's absence, who was still recovering from his near-fatal crash during qualifying for the 1995 Australian Grand Prix. [2]

Racing history

David Coulthard's McLaren MP4/11 exhibited as part of the McLaren Hall, Donington Grand Prix Exhibition McLaren MP4 11.jpg
David Coulthard's McLaren MP4/11 exhibited as part of the McLaren Hall, Donington Grand Prix Exhibition

The car's best result came in Monaco, with Coulthard finishing a close second to Olivier Panis' Ligier at the end of a chaotic race. However, Coulthard was outscored and generally outpaced by his teammate.

The car was developed throughout the season, with improvements initiated to eradicate an initial handling imbalance in time for Coulthard to lead the first 19 laps in San Marino. On the MP4/10, a small additional wing was mounted on the engine cover, but this was removed in mid-1995. [2] The wing was brought back for the MP4/11 in Monaco, and was also used at Hungary. A "B" version of the chassis was developed for Silverstone, and Häkkinen responded with four podium finishes from then until the end of the season.

1996 was also notable for McLaren losing its long-term Marlboro sponsorship at the end of the season, but the team responded by recruiting rival German tobacco brand West, who had previously (1985–89) been the major sponsor of the small German Zakspeed team.

The team eventually finished fourth in the Constructors' Championship, with 49 points.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

YearTeamChassisEngineTyresDrivers12345678910111213141516PointsWCC
1996 McLaren Mercedes V10 G AUS BRA ARG EUR SMR MON ESP CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR JPN 494th
MP4/11 Mika Häkkinen 54Ret886555
MP4/11B3Ret433Ret3
MP4/11 David Coulthard RetRet73Ret2Ret46
MP4/11B55RetRetRet138

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References

  1. "Engine Mercedes". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Prost tries new McLaren". grandprix.com. 12 February 1996. Retrieved 1 November 2014.