McLaren MP4-16

The McLaren MP4-16 was the car with which the McLaren team competed in the 2001 FIA Formula One World Championship. The chassis was designed by Adrian Newey, Steve Nichols, Neil Oatley and Peter Prodromou with Mario Illien designing the bespoke Ilmor engine. It was driven by double world champion Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard in what would be their sixth and final season together as McLaren teammates.

McLaren MP4-16
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMcLaren
Designer(s)Adrian Newey (Technical Director)
Steve Nichols (Engineering Director)
Neil Oatley (Design Director)
Peter Prodromou (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorMP4/15
SuccessorMP4-17
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)double wishbone, inboard torsion bar/damper system, pushrod, and bell crank-activated
Suspension (rear)double wishbone, inboard torsion bar/damper system, pushrod, and bell crank-activated
EngineIlmor-built Mercedes-Benz FO110K 3.0 L (183 cu in) V10 (72°) naturally aspirated,
TransmissionMcLaren 7-Speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Power830 hp (619 kW) @ 17,800 RPM[1]
FuelMobil Unleaded
LubricantsMobil 1
TyresBridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrantsWest McLaren Mercedes
Notable drivers3. Mika Häkkinen
4. David Coulthard
Debut2001 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
17426
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Competition history

Mika Häkkinen driving the MP4-16 at the 2001 Canadian Grand Prix.

After being narrowly pipped to both titles in 2000 by Ferrari, the aim of 2001 was to get McLaren back on top. However, the season proved to be frustrating in more ways than one. The chassis was good, but it was not developed enough to keep pace with Ferrari or new rivals Williams and also suffered from niggling aerodynamic problems; the Mercedes-Benz engines were less powerful than Williams's BMW units and less reliable than Ferrari's in-house efforts; and the team did not do a good enough job regarding the return of electronic driver aids.

Moreover, Häkkinen had his least successful season since 1997, suffering both from appalling luck and a loss of form at many races. The most notable incident was in Spain when he suffered a last-lap clutch/engine failure while leading. Despite winning two Grands Prix, he elected to retire at the end of the season, and would be replaced by compatriot Kimi Räikkönen. Coulthard, by contrast, produced the best season of his career to date, winning two races early on and mounting a championship challenge to Michael Schumacher. However, McLaren lost this early parity with Ferrari and he was fortunate to keep second place in the Drivers' Championship ahead of Ferrari's number two, Rubens Barrichello.

Similarly, the team regarded themselves as fortunate to come second in the Constructors' Championship, with 102 points, ahead of the resurgent Williams team.

Livery

McLaren Mercedes went into the 2001 season with renewed major sponsorships such as West, Mobil 1, Mercedes-Benz, Hugo Boss, Sun Microsystems, Computer Associates, Warsteiner, Schüco and Loctite. McLaren-Mercedes received new sponsorship such as SAP, Siemens Mobile and discontinued sponsorships are Fujitsu Siemens. The livery was similar to the 2000 design with subtle changes.

McLaren used 'West' logos, except at the French and British Grands Prix.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC
2001 McLaren Mercedes-Benz V10 B AUS MAL BRA SMR ESP AUT MON CAN EUR FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA USA JPN 102 2nd
Mika Häkkinen Ret 6 Ret 4 9 Ret Ret 3 6 DNS 1 Ret 5 4 Ret 1 4
David Coulthard 2 3 1 2 5 1 5 Ret 3 4 Ret Ret 3 2 Ret 3 3

References

  • Henry, Alan (ed.) (2001). AUTOCOURSE 2001-2002. Hazleton Publishing Ltd. pp. 62–65. ISBN 1-903135-06-0.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
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