Username
Password
McLaren History: McLaren M2B
By Sam Cooper July 15 2008
Based off the M2A prototype, the McLaren M2B was the first car entered under the McLaren constructor. Founded by Bruce McLaren after obtaining no wins for over four years whilst driving for Cooper, Bruce McLaren funded and set out to build single-seat Formula One team. Bruce McLaren hired Robin Herd from the aerospace industry to design the M2B.

 General Information:

Constructor: Bruce McLaren Motor Racing.

Designer: Robin Herd.

Driver(s): Bruce McLaren

Debut: Monaco Grand Prix, 1966.

Points: 3

Championship Position: 9th

 Technical Specifications: 

Chassis: Mallite–aluminium monocoque, with steel bulkheads.

Front Suspension: Upper radius arm and lower wishbone with rocker-arm operated, inboard coilover spring / dampers.

Rear Suspension: Upper transverse link and radius arm with reversed lower wishbone, outbound spring / dampers.

Engine(s):

Ford 406 2995 cc v8.

Serenissima M166 2996 cc v8.

Naturally aspirated, mid-mounted.

Transmission: ZF 5DS25 5-speed manual transaxle.

Tyres: Firestone.

  

Based off the M2A prototype, the McLaren M2B was the first car entered under the McLaren constructor. Founded by Bruce McLaren after obtaining no wins for over four years whilst driving for Cooper, Bruce McLaren funded and set out to build single-seat Formula One team. Bruce McLaren hired Robin Herd from the aerospace industry to design the M2B.

 

Two engines were used throughout the 1966 season for McLaren, the Ford 406 2995 cc v8 was an ex-Indianapolis 500, 4.2L engine which throughout the season had slow development with numerous failures and a narrow rev range, meant that the Ford engine was only used in Monaco, USA and Mexico. As a result, a second engine was used mid-season for McLaren, the Serenissima was used between the Belgium Grand Prix and the United States Grand Prix.

 

Debuting in the 1966 Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, McLaren entered a total of 6 races throughout the 9 race season. From the 6 races that were entered 2 races were not started due to engine problems (Belgium and the Netherlands); an oil leak on lap 10 saw McLaren retire from the Monaco Grand Prix and engine problems on lap 40 saw McLaren retire from the Mexican Grand Prix. McLaren’s first point was scored in the British Grand Prix and a further 2 points were scored at the United States Grand Prix.

 

MonacoBelgiumBritain

Dutch

USAMexico
Grid10 13 1114
RaceRETDNS6DNS5RET

Note McLaren did not compete in the French, German and Italian Grand Prix races.  

Bookmark or share this story with: