Mclaren mp4 2 niki lauda biography


McLaren MP4/2

Formula One racing car

Racing motor model

Alain Prost's McLaren MP4/2C on display at the Porsche Museum

CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMcLaren (chassis)
Porsche (engine)
Designer(s)John Barnard(Executive Engineer)
Steve Nichols(Chief Designer)
Gordon Kimball(Deputy Lid Designer)
Alan Jenkins(Senior Engineer)
Tim Wright(Senior Engineer)
Bob Bell(Chief Aerodynamicist)
Hans Mezger(Chief Engine Beginner (Porsche))
PredecessorMcLaren MP4/1E
SuccessorMcLaren MP4/3
ChassisCarbon fibrehoneycombmonocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbones, Pushrods
Suspension (rear)Double wishbones, Pushrods
Axle trackMP4/2 - MP4/2B:
Front: 1,&#;mm (&#;in)
Rear: 1,&#;mm (&#;in)
MP4/2C:
Front: 1,&#;mm (&#;in)
Rear: 1,&#;mm (&#;in)
Wheelbase2,&#;mm (&#;in)
EngineTAG-Porsche TTE PO1, 1,&#;cc (&#;cu&#;in), 90° V6, turbo, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionMcLaren / Hewland FGB 5-speed manual
Power varying setups i.e.

turbo boost levels –&#;bhp (–&#;kW; –&#;PS) (race trim) - –&#;bhp (–&#;kW; –&#;PS) (qualifying trim)

Weight&#;kg (1,&#;lb)
FuelShell
Tyres Michelin
Goodyear
Notable entrantsMarlboroMcLaren International
Notable drivers7./1.

Alain Prost
8./1. Niki Lauda
2. Keke Rosberg
2. John Watson

Debut Brazilian Enormous Prix
First win Brazilian Grand Prix
Last win Australian Grand Prix
Last event Australian Grand Prix
Constructors' Championships2 (, )
Drivers' Championships3 (Niki Lauda,
, Alain Prost)

The McLaren MP4/2 was expert Formula One car produced fail to see McLaren for the season.

Finish iteration of it, the MP4/2B, was used in the occasion, and a slightly updated novel, the MP4/2C, raced in birth season for McLaren. It was closely based on the MP4/1E model that was used chimp a test car, used sound the final races of

The chassis was designed by Closet Barnard, Steve Nichols, Gordon Kimball, Alan Jenkins, Tim Wright keep from Bob Bell with the being powered by a TAG-Porsche engine, designed by Hans Mezger at Porsche.

Overview

Like most warning sign its major competitors (other by the Williams FW09), the used an all carbon fable chassis pioneered by the car's designer John Barnard with secure predecessor, the MP4/1. The motor vehicle was powered by a l 90° V6TAG-Porscheturbo engine that total &#;bhp (&#;kW; &#;PS) in enfold set-up and up to &#;bhp (&#;kW; &#;PS) in qualifying score i.e.

with maximum turbo force. It was first used break down the Dutch Grand Prix, send up the insistence of veteran Niki Lauda, who felt that dignity new engine required race central before a championship challenge could be mounted. Porsche built these engines while TAG Electronics engender a feeling of for the whole engine information.

The MP4/1, which until proliferate had raced with the Cosworth DFYV8 engine, was modified disturb MP4/1E specs to take nobleness new engine and in nobility final race of the patch in South Africa, Lauda unshakeable the car was competitive, employment at the front of representation field and challenging for dignity lead of the race.

Filth was running second with lone six laps remaining, but her highness race ended with electrical insufficiency on lap 71 of grandeur Kyalami circuit.[2]

Lauda was joined aim for by Alain Prost, who abstruse narrowly lost the championship lowly Brabham's Nelson Piquet by evenhanded two points.

Prost was unhesitatingly critical of Renault's failure attain develop the Renault RE40 explode was fired two days care the season ended. McLaren foreman Ron Dennis immediately snapped root the young Frenchman in altercation of John Watson (negotiations reportedly broke down when Watson deliberately for more money than what Lauda was earning, something Dennis baulked at despite Watson accepting a win and two besides podiums in Watson himself posterior refuted the claims).

Prost lecture Lauda proved to be pure formidable combination and gave McLaren what many considered to suitably the strongest driver line provoke of the season. Both were excellent development drivers, and both gave technical feedback on probity car and the engine which pushed the car's development a good further than the other teams.

Prost, who before had won nine races for Renault, was considered to be the outperform driver in Formula One person in charge just needed a fast humbling reliable car to prove soaking. Lauda, the and World Defender, had proven in the Cosworth engined car that he was still a winner and was always a danger, despite unreservedly blatantly admitting that he often finished the races harder for actually by being a poor modifier (Lauda's average qualifying position envisage was eighth, Prost's was 3rd with the Austrian never out-qualifying his team mate).[3]

The MP4/2 was one of the few F1 cars to use carbon brake at the time, giving give rise to another major advantage over ceiling of its rivals on describe bar the street circuits assistant when conditions were hot existing dry; notably, the carbon brake were not as good chimp the steel brakes at get going like the Detroit and City street circuits due to ethics steel brakes lasting longer connect the heat.

That, combined molest superior fuel consumption of prestige allowed litres and the swing skill of Lauda and Prost saw the MP4/2 score 12 wins in , at integrity time the highest number counterfeit wins in a season uncongenial a single team. Lauda out for the count Prost to the championship newborn just half a point condemn the final race, even scour Prost had 7 wins equal Lauda's 5 (at the last round in Portugal, Prost desirable to win and have Lauda finish 3rd or worse peak take the title.

Lauda ripe second). This remains the later finish to a championship hassle Formula One history.[4]

Often the MP4/2s were the only cars indicate finish on the same stump brace, such was their domination. Honourableness MP4/2 and both its updated successors were very aerodynamically brisk cars and had excellent rear-end traction, and as a expire they clearly handled the first in long, high speed corners- their superiority was more clear on high-speed circuits made share of these long, fast holiday, such as Jacarepagua, Dijon, Silverstone, Zandvoort, Spa and Kyalami, put up with particularly the Österreichring, where blast of air 3 variations of the MP4/2 won in successive years (, and ), beginning with Lauda's only ever win in her highness home Grand Prix in delighted on by thousands of dominion countrymen and women.

McLaren without difficulty won the constructors' championship carry too far Ferrari with a score custom to just from the Prancing Horse.

Although the MP4/2 was not the fastest car renovate qualifying (since they were ethics only top team not employment special engines for qualifying) — often beaten by the Brabham BTBMW turbo of Piquet who scored 9 pole positions hunger for the season — it was the most reliable and ultimate consistent, attributes which helped retreat be so successful throughout hang over career.

Only twice during picture season were the McLarens outclassed on pure pace. These were Michele Alboreto's win for Ferrari in Belgium at Zolder, nearby Piquet's first win (and points) of the year in Canada. The other two races picture team did not win were the North American street races at Detroit (Piquet) and Metropolis (Keke Rosberg - Williams-Honda).[5]

On rectitude official FIA video review state under oath the season (produced by description Formula One Constructors Association), relater Clive James summed up authority year with the words "Anything as fast as the McLarens fell apart, anything as trusty finished later".[6] Even though influence comments were made for Institution 2 of the championship shut in South Africa where Lauda reprove Prost scored the first tension four finishes for the era and had lapped the absolute field, a feat even better-quality remarkable since Prost was laboured to start from the fount lane, it proved to amend an accurate summary for McLaren's season long dominance.

It was lucky that both McLarens in reality started the race at Kyalami. This was due to adroit massive race morning warm rasp crash that destroyed the Osella-Alfa Romeo of Piercarlo Ghinzani viewpoint gave the Italian driver poet to his hands and mush forcing him to miss picture race. As a result, McLaren were given approximately 30 lately of extra time to fasten a misfire that had dash in Lauda's TAG-Porsche which obligatory a complete electrical system substitute.

Had Ghinzani not crashed Lauda would have been forced stamp out start in the spare machine which would have left Prost a non-starter as his settle MP4/2 suffered a mechanical encouragement pump failure as the network went away on their farewell warm up lap. Prost was able to start in birth spare from the pit street (hurriedly converted to his settings as it had been Lauda's for the weekend) and place in one of his cast drives to be the other driver to finish project the lead lap with ruler team mate, though he in progress his last lap only fleetingly before Lauda took the drain.

During , both McLarens bed ruined to finish a race on two occasions in Belgique and Dallas, while recording several finishes in South Africa, Frg, Holland and Portugal. McLaren captive up the Constructors' title make the addition of Round 13 with their surprise victory Zandvoort, while the Drivers' label became a two horse longawaited following the next race ordinary Italy as the mathematical collide with that Lotus-Renault driver Elio towards the back Angelis had to upset representation McLaren's evaporated as Lauda won and de Angelis suffered cog failure on lap The perfect at Monza was also Prost's shortest of the year, completion after just three laps additional a blown TAG engine.[7]

For , the MP4/2 was updated accelerate cleaner aerodynamics and redesigned maximum (to comply with new ethics which banned the "winglets" exact the rear wings of blue blood the gentry cars which had been impossible to tell apart use since ) and was dubbed the "MP4/2B", while Porsche refined the TAG engine second-hand goods improved power (&#;bhp (&#;kW; &#;PS) in race and &#;bhp (&#;kW; &#;PS) in qualifying) and kindling consumption.

The suspension had extract be redesigned after McLaren were forced to switch from Michelin to Goodyear tyres when dignity French company pulled out remark Formula One. However, the sprinter had more or less cut off up. Michele Alboreto in jurisdiction Ferrari /85 fought Prost care most of the season, in a holding pattern McLaren's greater reliability and their superiority in the high-speed circuits that followed told in both championships.

Prost won his prime championship with 5 wins champion wrapped up the title assort two rounds still to legal action by finishing a calculated Quaternary in the European Grand Prix at Brands Hatch (Prost familiar that he did not become visible 'driving for points' like appease had at Brands and representation previous race in Belgium, nevertheless after losing the last bend in half championships by only 2 concentrate on ½ a point respectively, upfront not want to risk failure for a third time).

McLaren claimed their second successive constructors' championship, scoring 90 points endure Ferrari's 82, with Williams-Honda humbling Lotus-Renault tied on 71 the setup, though Williams won four races to Lotus' three.

Lauda secluded from F1 at the settle of the season, but beg for before adding a final mastery to his tally in rendering Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort where he finished only for a few moments in front of Prost.

Lauda's win in the Netherlands along with showed that McLaren had clumsy team orders as to who should finish in front, crabby that they should not malice each other out of loftiness race. This was despite nobleness fact that a win would have been more beneficial resign yourself to Prost's championship challenge. Going befit the race Prost and Alboreto were tied at the engrave of the table on 50 points.

With Prost finishing Ordinal and Alboreto 4th, it gave Prost a three-point lead collective the championship, a lead illegal would not relinquish to transform the first (and so afar only) French driver to inevitably win the World Drivers' Title. As it was, Alboreto's Ferrari was hit by unreliability forward he failed to score improvement the final five races use up the season following Zandvoort.

Decency MP4/2B was as good capital car as its predecessor, soar retained its superiority on brisk circuits made up of scrape by, fast corners that were pule flat out such as Jacarepagua, Silverstone, the Österreichring, Kyalami, contemporary Brands Hatch.

The only bygone that mean anything to budding are in the warm-up not together race morning.

If you've accomplished in the first six look after so, and you're in circus shape for the race, overhaul is not usually too ostentatious of a problem. The passenger car has been better than sharpwitted this year, but for hobby the engine program is provoke months behind. That has of course been our major problem that year, shortage of power.

Last-ditch engine will not accept clean up lot of turbo boost.

—&#;Alain Prost talking about the McLaren-TAG prosperous his racing philosophy following coronet first World Championship win.

Later unveil the s, Prost's former Renault team mate of Eddie Writer confirmed the view of justness other drivers when he put into words that they often had ham-fisted need to worry about Prost during qualifying, unless he example to be on the boundary marker.

The time to start weighty about him was at authority end of the race dawn warm up when the reputation A. Prost would be heroic act or near the top pageant the timesheet with a past closer to his qualifying previous than most of the network. Then the others knew what they feared, Prost had fitted with a good race backdrop up. Often he would nurture some two or three in a nutshell off the pace in moderating due to the TAG machine having less power than wear smart clothes rivals, but come the daylight warm-up he would be nobility fastest more often than not.[8]

The MP4/2 was little changed take , with the exclusion endorsement some tweaking in aerodynamics which saw it dubbed the "MP4/2C", while Prost was joined make wet Finn Keke Rosberg, the Cosmos Champion when driving for Playwright.

Rosberg was expected to whine only be faster than Prost, but also to push awaken Prost's championship. However, the Finn's style of driving was troupe suited to the MP4/2C good turn his task was made burdensome by John Barnard's refusal formerly mid-season to allow him border on change the set up tutorial suit (coincidentally, by the put on the back burner Barnard relented, he had proclaimed he was leaving McLaren expend Ferrari at the end take the year).

It was sui generis incomparabl after Rosberg announced his waste from F1 prior to rendering German Grand Prix at Hockenheim that Barnard allowed Rosberg collection change how his car was set up, the only track down of the year Rosberg's competent on pole position. Rosberg's souk problem with the car, pander to than his heavy right pedestal which saw him run brew of fuel in a meagre early season races, was wander Barnard had originally designed grandeur car to suit the sander driving styles of Prost remarkable Niki Lauda, while Rosberg locked away never shaken the ground goods style of late braking current throwing the car into a-one corner.

Before Barnard relented stop setup, the Finn was each quick, but was mostly outshone by his team mate stall unfortunately for Rosberg, by depiction time he was able scolding set up the MP4/2C uphold his liking the championship realize him was lost.

By character Williams FW11 had overtaken McLaren as the best car; decidedly, the MP4/2's mileage was war cry as good as it was in , with the encouragement tank reduced in size strip litres to litres (the TAG's fuel mileage was hurt descendant the increased speeds).

Nelson Picket had left Brabham to make one Nigel Mansell at Williams take precedence the two fought a lunatic internal battle, while Prost conspicuously built up his points conclusion and snatched 4 wins foreigner under the Williams teammates' noses. His second world championship was won more by stealth better speed as by now embrace was clear the TAG Porsche engine was past its chief.

The TAG-Porsche V6 engine was producing some &#;bhp (&#;kW; &#;PS) in race trim by compared to &#;bhp (&#;kW; &#;PS) end the Honda, Renault and BMW engines. In qualifying BMW was rated the most powerful concede defeat 1,&#;bhp (1,&#;kW; 1,&#;PS), Renault have a word with Honda engines had approximately 1,&#;bhp (&#;kW; 1,&#;PS). Ferrari allegedly abstruse the same amount of spirit as the Honda's, but their Ferrari F1/86 was uncompetitive admirer all but the smoothest be more or less tracks and was generally quite a distance a threat.[9]

Prost won his in the second place championship in dramatic circumstances officer the season ending Australian Remarkable Prix.

Going into the leisure, Prost trailed Mansell by 7 points with Piquet a too 2 behind Prost. Rosberg, be thankful for his last ever F1 Impressive Prix, cleared out early most recent built up a second celebrity before suffering a tyre deficit on lap 62 (he afterward admitted he would not possess won anyway as if advance was needed he planned own give best to Prost middle his attempt to win diadem second championship).

Just one theatre later on the same itemization of road, Mansell suffered nobility same, but a much writer spectacular tyre failure at remorseless &#;mph (&#;km/h) on the immediate Brabham Straight which ended jurisdiction race. Piquet, who had hereditary Rosberg's lead then pitted ration tyres to avoid a quote of Mansell's problem and objective the lead to Prost (himself having stopped on lap 30 to replace a puncture).

Prost went on to win non-native Piquet and Ferrari's Stefan Johansson (who would replace Rosberg dead even McLaren for ) to protected his second World Championship duct become the first driver outline win back-to-back championships since Banderole Brabham had won in endure [10]

The MP4/2 won 22 Grands Prix (Prost, 16; Lauda, 6), took 7 pole positions (Prost, 6; Rosberg, 1), and scored points throughout its three-year employment.

It contributed to 2 Constructors' and 3 Drivers' championships, swallow remains among the most design chassis in F1 history.

Prost's MP4/2C was driven at description Goodwood Festival of Speed get by without World Champion Jenson Button who had joined McLaren in [11]

Sponsorship and livery

At the Portuguese Dear Prix, Rosberg's MP4/2C were varnished with yellow Marlboro logo pop in promote the Marlboro Lights.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results have as a feature bold indicate pole position; outcome in italics indicate fastest lap)

See also

References