McLaren MP4-21

McLaren MP4-21

Juan Pablo Montoya driving the MP4-21 at the 2006 Canadian Grand Prix
Category	Formula One
Constructor	McLaren
Designer(s)	Neil Oatley (Executive Engineer) Adrian Newey (Technical Director) Paddy Lowe (Engineering Director) Nikolas Tombazis (Project Leader) Tim Goss (Chief Engineer) Mark Williams (Head of Vehicle Engineering) Mike Coughlan (Chief Designer) Peter Prodromou (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor	MP4-20
Successor	MP4-22
Technical specifications^[citation needed]
Chassis	Moulded carbon fibre monocoque incorporating front and side impact structures
Suspension (front)	Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Suspension (rear)	As front
Length	4,600 mm (181 in)
Width	1,800 mm (71 in)
Height	950 mm (37 in)
Wheelbase	3,100 mm (122 in)
Engine	Mercedes-Benz FO108S, 2.4-litre V8 naturally-aspirated mid-engined
Transmission	McLaren 7-speed + 1 reverse sequential seamless-shift semi-automatic paddle-shift with epicyclic differential and multi-plate limited slip clutch
Battery	GS Yuasa
Power	750 hp @ 19,000 rpm[1]
Weight	605 kg (1,334 lb)
Fuel	Mobil unleaded
Tyres	Michelin
Competition history
Notable entrants	Team McLaren Mercedes
Notable drivers	3. Kimi Räikkönen 4. Juan Pablo Montoya 4. Pedro de la Rosa
Debut	2006 Bahrain Grand Prix
Last event	2006 Brazilian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F/Laps 18 0 3 3
Teams' Championships	0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The McLaren MP4-21 was the car with which the McLaren team competed in the 2006 Formula One World Championship. It was driven initially by Kimi Räikkönen and Juan Pablo Montoya. After ten races, reserve driver Pedro de la Rosa took over Montoya's race seat. Gary Paffett was also a test driver for the MP4-21.^[2] The MP4-21 was the first V8-engined McLaren Formula One car since McLaren MP4/8 in 1993.

Future World Champion Lewis Hamilton drove the MP4-21 in his first official Formula One test in September, 2006 prior to joining McLaren for 2007.^[3]

Overview

The MP4-21 was designed by Adrian Newey, Paddy Lowe, Tim Goss, Mike Coughlan and Peter Prodromou. The MP4-21 was the successor to the competitive MP4-20 of the prior season, although significantly different with 90% of the 11,500 components changed from the season prior. In addition, the utilisation of the new V8 specification engines meant that the side air intakes were reduced in size, therefore making aerodynamic benefits.^[4] The distinctive needle-nose design was previously used on the MP4-19 in 2004. The MP4-21 was the first McLaren car to be powered by purely Mercedes-Benz engines after 11 years partnership with Ilmor as an engine builder.^[5][6]

The MP4-21 was seen on track for the first time in late January 2006 at Barcelona. It was finished in a historic papaya orange livery.^[7][8] In February, the official livery of the MP4-21 was launched in a chrome finish.

Räikkönen at the French Grand Prix

The first race at Bahrain delivered a podium finish for Räikkönen.^[9] Montoya would score podiums at San Marino for third position and Monaco for second, however there were six retirements in the first seven races for the MP4-21.^[10][11] The MP4-21 was regularly outpaced by the Ferrari 248 and the Renault R26.

de La Rosa took over following Montoya's departure. Pictured is during the Brazilian Grand Prix

Juan Pablo Montoya left the team in order to move to Chip Ganassi Racing NASCAR team after retiring from the 2006 United States Grand Prix.^[12] Pedro de La Rosa took his race seat.^[13] de La Rosa would score a career best second place at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix driving the MP4-21.^[14]

Despite a number of podiums for all three drivers, McLaren did not win a single Grand Prix with the MP4-21. This was the first season since 1996 the team failed to win a race. Räikkönen finished in fifth place in the World Drivers' Championship. McLaren finished third in the World Constructors' Championship with 110 points.^[15][16]

Post-season

Mika Häkkinen driving the MP4-21 during the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed

Following the conclusion of the season, former driver and two time World Champion Mika Hakkinen tested the MP4-21 with a view to an F1 return. However, this did not materialise.^[17][18]

An MP4-21 showcar is displayed at The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, although now painted in Jenson Button's 2010 livery.^[19] Before its closure, MP4-21 chassis 6 was on display at the Donington Grand Prix Collection.^[20] An MP4-21 show car is currently for sale via F1 Authentics.^[21]

Livery

The team's sponsorship agreement with West had come to an end in 2005. Emirates and Johnnie Walker are the primary sponsors of the team.

In Bahrain, to overcome the alcohol regulations, the Johnnie Walker text was replaced with "Keep Walking". In France, the logo was removed. In Turkey, it was replaced with Diageo, owner of the brand.

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	18	Points	WCC
2006	McLaren	Mercedes-Benz V8	M		BHR	MAL	AUS	SMR	EUR	ESP	MON	GBR	CAN	USA	FRA	GER	HUN	TUR	ITA	CHN	JPN	BRA	110	3rd
				Kimi Räikkönen	3	Ret	2	5	4	5	Ret	3	3	Ret	5	3	Ret	Ret	2	Ret	5	5
				Juan Pablo Montoya	5	4	Ret	3	Ret	Ret	2	6	Ret	Ret
				Pedro de la Rosa											7	Ret	2	5	Ret	5	11	8

References

1. "Engine Mercedes". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
2. "Paffett is McLaren's 2006 test driver". F1 Technical. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
3. "Lewis Hamilton's first full F1 test: 10 years on from his big breakthrough". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
4. "McLaren Mercedes MP4-21". Retrieved 2 June 2022.
5. "History". Ilmor. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
6. "Mercedes". Stats F1. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
7. "The new McLaren MP4-21". Grandprix.com. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
8. "McLAREN & PAPAYA". McLaren. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
9. "F1 Vault: Raikkonen's epic Bahrain recovery in 2006". Formula 1. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
10. "Alonso grabs Monaco win as Schumacher recovers to fifth". Race Fans. 28 May 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
11. "MP4-21". Stats F1. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
12. "Montoya leaves McLaren, effective immediately". Motorsport. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
13. "Official: de la Rosa replaces Montoya at McLaren". Pitpass. 11 July 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
14. "Button achieves his impossible dream". Race Fans. 6 August 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
15. "2006 Driver Standings". Formula 1. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
16. "2006 Constructor Standings". Formula 1. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
17. Henry, Alan (30 November 2006). "McLaren welcome Hakkinen back into test driving seat". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
18. "Hakkinen explains why his 2006 test didn't lead to a comeback". Race Fans. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
19. "McLaren Mercedes MP4/21". National Motor Museum. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
20. "Donington Park Museum Leaflet" (PDF). Visit Derby. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
21. "Official 2006 McLaren MP4-21 Show Car". F1 Authentics. Retrieved 2 June 2022.