McLaren MP4/9

McLaren MP4/9

Number 7 McLaren MP4/9 driven by Häkkinen in the '94 season. From The Donington Collection.
Category	Formula One
Constructor	McLaren International
Designer(s)	Neil Oatley
Technical specifications[1]
Chassis	Carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)	Double wishbones, pushrod, inboard spring / damper / actuator
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbones, pushrod, inboard spring / damper / actuator
Engine	Peugeot A4 / A6, 3,499 cc (213.5 cu in), V10, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission	McLaren / TAG transverse 6-Speed semi-automatic
Fuel	Shell
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Marlboro McLaren Peugeot
Notable drivers	7. Mika Häkkinen 7. Philippe Alliot 8. Martin Brundle
Debut	1994 Brazilian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles Fastest laps 16 0 0 0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The McLaren MP4/9 was a Formula One car designed by Neil Oatley for the 1994 Formula One season and was run by the Marlboro McLaren Team. Number 7 car was driven by Mika Häkkinen and the number 8 car by Martin Brundle.

Due to changes in Formula One regulations intended to return emphasis on driver skills, many technologies designed to aid the driver, such as active suspension, power assisted brakes, ABS and traction control, which had featured on the previous season's car, were no longer permitted.

The team's test driver was Philippe Alliot, at the behest of engine supplier Peugeot, who preferred the Frenchman over Brundle for the role of second driver. He raced for the team as a one-off replacement for Häkkinen in Hungary, as the Finn was serving a one-race ban after being held responsible for a large accident on the first lap at the preceding German Grand Prix. The title sponsor was Marlboro with additional branding by Hugo Boss, Shell and Goodyear.

By the standards of McLaren's recent cars the MP4/9 was a disappointment, failing to win any races and hampered by poor reliability and performance from its Peugeot engine (taken from the 905 sportscar that won Le Mans twice). Early in the season McLaren team boss Ron Dennis had believed rivalry between the French manufacturer and compatriots Renault would lead to rapid development and performance. As the season progressed the engines suffered regular, and frequently spectacular, failures and the team began to doubt Peugeot's commitment to the project. By late 1994 the team announced it had parted company with the engine supplier in favour of a long term deal with Mercedes.

The MP4/9 was replaced in 1995 by the McLaren MP4/10.

Mika Häkkinen driving the MP4/9 at the 1994 British Grand Prix.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Pts.	WCC
1994	Marlboro McLaren	Peugeot A4 / A6 V10	G		BRA	PAC	SMR	MON	ESP	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	EUR	JPN	AUS	42	4th
				Mika Häkkinen	Ret	Ret	3	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	3	Ret		2	3	3	3	7	12
				Philippe Alliot										Ret
				Martin Brundle	Ret	Ret	8	2	11	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	4	Ret	5	6	Ret	Ret	3

References

1. ^ "STATS F1 • McLaren MP4/9". Statsf1.com. http://www.statsf1.com/en/mclaren-mp4-9.aspx. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 

External links