Jump to content

McLaren MP4-21

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by DH85868993 (talk | contribs) at 11:24, 2 August 2020 (rv gf edit: the 2011 Mercedes MGP W02 was also Mercedes-powered; you could say the MP4-21 was the winless Mercedes-powered car which was not a Mercedes, but that seems a bit specific; the {{clear}} is there to keep the section heading and table together). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

McLaren MP4-21
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMcLaren
Designer(s)Adrian Newey (Technical Director)
Paddy Lowe (Engineering Director)
Tim Goss (Chief Engineer)
Mike Coughlan (Chief Designer)
Peter Prodromou (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorMP4-20
SuccessorMP4-22
Technical specifications[citation needed]
ChassisMoulded carbon fibre monocoque incorporating front and side impact structures
Suspension (front)Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Suspension (rear)As front
EngineMercedes-Benz FO108S, 2.4 litre V8 normally aspirated mid-mounted
TransmissionMcLaren Applied Technologies 7-speed + 1 reverse sequential seamless semi-automatic paddle shift with epicyclic differential and multi-plate limited slip clutch
FuelMobil 1 unleaded
TyresMichelin
Competition history
Notable entrantsTeam McLaren Mercedes
Notable drivers3. Finland Kimi Räikkönen
4. Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya
4. Spain Pedro de la Rosa
Debut2006 Bahrain Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
18033
Teams' Championships0
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The McLaren MP4-21 is a Formula One car designed by Adrian Newey for the 2006 Formula One season. The car continues the MP4-X naming system and is notable for its striking chrome livery with red stripes designed to maximize the visibility of the team's new primary sponsor Emirates. The distinctive needle-nose design was previously used on the MP4-19 in 2004. The MP4-21 was the first McLaren car to be powered by purely Mercedes-Benz engines after 11 years partnership with Ilmor as an engine builder.

The car started the season in the hands of Kimi Räikkönen and Juan Pablo Montoya, but after a few races it soon became clear that it was not as competitive as its predecessor, the MP4-20, with an apparent improvement in reliability countered by an underpowered Mercedes engine. McLaren did not win a race all season, for the first time since 1996. Their best results were second-place finishes for Kimi Räikkönen in Australia and Italy, for Juan Pablo Montoya in Monaco, and for Pedro de la Rosa in Hungary.

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 18 Points WCC
2006 McLaren Mercedes-Benz V8 M BHR MAL AUS SMR EUR ESP MON GBR CAN USA FRA GER HUN TUR ITA CHN JPN BRA 110 3rd
Kimi Räikkönen 3 Ret 2 5 4 5 Ret 3 3 Ret 5 3 Ret Ret 2 Ret 5 5
Juan Pablo Montoya 5 4 Ret 3 Ret Ret 2 6 Ret Ret
Pedro de la Rosa 7 Ret 2 5 Ret 5 11 8