McLaren MP4-16

McLaren MP4-16
Category Formula One
Constructor McLaren
Designer(s) Adrian Newey
Predecessor MP4/15
Successor MP4-17
Technical specifications
Chassis Carbon-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
Engine Mercedes-Benz FO110K 3.0 L (183 cu in) V10 (72°) naturally aspirated, 19,500 RPM limited.
Transmission McLaren 7-Speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Fuel Mobil 1
Tyres Bridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrants West McLaren Mercedes
Notable drivers 3. Finland Mika Häkkinen
4. United Kingdom David Coulthard
Debut 2001 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
17426
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0

The McLaren MP4-16 was the car with which the McLaren team competed in the 2001 Formula One season. It was driven by double world champion Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard in what would be their sixth and final season together as McLaren team-mates.

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' BMW units but 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. 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.

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

    External links

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