McLaren MP4/11

McLaren MP4/11

Category	Formula One
Constructor	McLaren
Designer(s)	Neil Oatley
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	Mercedes-Benz FO110/3 75-degree V10
Transmission	McLaren six-speed longitudinal semi-automatic
Fuel	Mobil 1
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Marlboro McLaren Mercedes
Notable drivers	7. Mika Häkkinen 8. David Coulthard
Debut	1996 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles Fastest laps 16 0 0 0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The McLaren MP4/11 was the car with which the McLaren team competed in the 1996 Formula One season. It was driven by Mika Häkkinen, who was in his third full season with the team, and David Coulthard, who moved from Williams.

McLaren had endured a disappointing year with the cars beset by handling and reliability problems in the team's first year in partnership with Mercedes-Benz. The second year of the arrangement was 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.

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

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

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 of the San Marino GP. 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 to Ferrari, but the team responded by recruiting rival brand West.

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

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Points	WCC
1996	McLaren	Mercedes V10	G		AUS	BRA	ARG	EUR	SMR	MON	ESP	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	JPN	49	4th
				Mika Häkkinen	5	4	Ret	8	8	6	5	5	5	3	Ret	4	3	3	Ret	3
				David Coulthard	Ret	Ret	7	3	Ret	2	Ret	4	6	5	5	Ret	Ret	Ret	13	8

References

• Henry, Alan (ed) (1996). AUTOCOURSE 1996-97. Hazleton Publishing. pp. 64–67. ISBN 1-874557-91-8.