McLaren MP4/6

McLaren MP4/6
McLaren MP4/6B

Category	Formula One
Constructor	McLaren International
Designer(s)	Neil Oatley
Predecessor	MP4/5B
Successor	MP4/7A
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon fibre monocoque
Engine	Honda RA121-E, 3,493 cc (213.2 cu in), 60° V12 NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission	Weismann/McLaren Transverse 6-speed manual
Fuel	Shell
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Marlboro McLaren Honda
Notable drivers	1. Ayrton Senna 2. Gerhard Berger
Debut	1991 United States Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F/Laps 18 8 10 5
Constructors' Championships	1 1991
Drivers' Championships	1 (Ayrton Senna)

Senna won the 1991 United States Grand Prix in his McLaren MP4/6.

The McLaren MP4/6 is a Formula One racecar that was designed by Neil Oatley for the 1991 F1 season. It was the first McLaren to be powered by a Honda V12 engine. The car was tested by Gerhard Berger in the off-season, but he was unimpressed with the new engine, feeling it was underpowered for what it was, especially compared to Honda's V10 engine in the previous year's car. When Ayrton Senna returned for pre-season testing, he knuckled down to try to solve the engine's problems. McLaren's domination in the early part of the year was mainly due to the lack of reliability of the Williams FW14.

The MP4/6 raced throughout 1991 with a manual "H" pattern gearbox. A semi-automatic transmission was tested during the season, but was never regarded as good enough to be used in a race. Ferrari and Williams were the only teams using semi-automatic gearboxes during 1991. This makes the MP4/6 the last Formula One car to win a World Championship, either drivers or constructors, using a manual transmission or a V12 engine.

Honda RA121E V12 engine

Senna won the first four races of the season, in the USA, an emotional victory in Brazil, San Marino and Monaco before Williams and Nigel Mansell found their feet with their remarkable FW14 car, which dominated in the mid season. Consistent podium finishes throughout the year helped McLaren, but Senna insisted that Honda step up their engine development programme and demanded further improvements to the car before it was too late. Honda responded with an updated version of the V12 engine, while Oatley redesigned various features of the car, especially the sidepods and wings. Failed electronics and a botched pitstop scuppered Williams' chances in Belgium and Portugal when in the lead allowing McLaren to take their fourth straight constructors' championship and Senna his third and last drivers' championship.

The MP4/6 was considered by some to be the most competitive car in the field until Williams sorted the FW14, which was aerodynamically and technically more advanced.

For the early races of 1992, McLaren used the MP4/6 (upgraded to MP4/6B spec) and Senna was able to take it to 3rd place in the South African Grand Prix before it was replaced by the MP4/7A for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The MP4/6 took 8 Grand Prix wins, 10 pole positions and scored 148 points in its career. The car brought a close to McLaren's domination of the sport, leaving the door open for Williams.

Complete Formula One results

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

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Pts.	WCC
1991	Marlboro McLaren Honda	MP4/6	Honda RA121-E V12	G		USA	BRA	SMR	MON	CAN	MEX	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	ESP	JPN	AUS	139	1st
					Ayrton Senna	1	1	1	1	Ret	3	3	4	7	1	1	2	2	5	2	1
					Gerhard Berger	Ret	3	2	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	2	4	4	2	4	Ret	Ret	1	3
1992	Marlboro McLaren Honda	MP4/6B	Honda RA121-E V12	G		RSA	MEX	BRA	ESP	SMR	MON	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	JPN	AUS	99*	2nd
					Ayrton Senna	3	Ret
					Gerhard Berger	5	4

* Only 9 points scored with the MP4/6B. Remaining points scored with MP4/7A.