McLaren MP4-28

McLaren MP4-28
Jenson Button driving the MP4-28 at the Malaysian Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMcLaren
Designer(s)Neil Oatley (Executive Engineer)
Paddy Lowe (Technical Director)
Tim Goss (Engineering Director)
Mark Williams (Head of Vehicle Engineering)
Mark Ingham (Head of Vehicle Design)
Marcin Budkowski (Head of Aerodynamics)
Doug McKiernan (Chief Aerodynamicist)
PredecessorMcLaren MP4-27
SuccessorMcLaren MP4-29
Technical specifications[1][2]
ChassisMoulded carbon fibre composite monocoque incorporating front and side impact structures with honeycomb structure
Suspension (front)Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pullrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement. KONI dampers
Suspension (rear)as front
Length5,080 mm (200 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height950 mm (37 in)
EngineMercedes-Benz FO 108F 2.4 L (146 cu in) V8 (90°). Naturally aspirated, 18,000 RPM limited with KERS, mid-mounted
TransmissionMcLaren 7-speed + 1 reverse sequential seamless semi-automatic paddle shift with epicyclic differential and multi-plate limited slip clutch
Weight642 kg (1,415 lb) (including driver)[3]
FuelExxonMobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
Mobil Synergy Fuel System
Mobil 1 lubrication
TyresPirelli P Zero dry slick and Pirelli Cinturato treaded intermediate and wet tyres[4]
Enkei 13" magnesium racing wheels
ClutchAP Racing electro-hydraulically operated, carbon multi-plate
Competition history
Notable entrantsVodafone McLaren Mercedes
Notable drivers5. United Kingdom Jenson Button[5]
6. Mexico Sergio Pérez[6]
Debut2013 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2013 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
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The McLaren MP4-28[7] is a Formula One racing car designed and built by the McLaren team for use in the 2013 Formula One season. The chassis was designed by Paddy Lowe,[8] Neil Oatley, Tim Goss, Mark Ingham and Marcin Budkowski and was powered by a customer Mercedes-Benz engine. It was driven by 2009 World Champion Jenson Button and Sergio Pérez,[5][6] the latter joining the team after Lewis Hamilton moved to Mercedes.[9] The car was launched on 31 January 2013,[7][10] as part of the team's fiftieth anniversary celebrations.[11]

The MP4-28 resulted in McLaren's worst Formula 1 performance for 33 years. It was their first season without finishing on the podium since 1980, and they never qualified in the top five - their worst since 1983. It was also the team's first season without a win since 2006 when the team raced with the MP4-21.[12]

  1. ^ Collins, Sam (31 January 2013). "McLaren MP4-28". Racecar Engineering. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  2. ^ "Technical".
  3. ^ "FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations", formula1.com, Formula One Group, retrieved 7 January 2013
  4. ^ Noble, Jonathan; Beer, Matt (11 December 2013). "F1 teams expert enough to avoid early tyre struggles – Ross Brawn". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  5. ^ a b Elizalde, Pablo (5 October 2011). "Button secures new multi-year contract at McLaren". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  6. ^ a b Collantine, Keith (28 September 2012). "Perez takes place of Mercedes-bound Hamilton at McLaren". F1 Fanatic. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  7. ^ a b "McLaren to launch 2013 car on January 31". formula1.com. Formula One Management. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  8. ^ "McLaren says Lowe is staying for 2013". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  9. ^ Cary, Tom (28 September 2012). "Lewis Hamilton to join Mercedes in $100m move from McLaren, signing a three-year deal". Telegraph.co.uk. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  10. ^ Esler, William (20 December 2012). "McLaren will launch the MP4-28 on Thursday 31st January". Sky Sports F1. BSkyB. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  11. ^ "2013: celebrating 50 years of McLaren". mclaren.com. McLaren Group. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013. It's all a long way from that small south London lock-up back in 1963. But Bruce wouldn't wish for us to merely look backwards without looking forwards, too. Accordingly, echoes of our past will reverberate throughout a series of unique events and celebrations to be held across our anniversary year. From the McLaren 50 logos we'll proudly sport on our team shirts, through our specially commissioned heritage video features, to the launch of our new MP4-28 Formula 1 car with Jenson Button and Sergio Perez on January 31st, every lap, every corner, every mile and every road we take will be an opportunity to revel in McLaren's present while recalling our 50-year past.
  12. ^ Merlino, Michele. "Stats: Webber's final F1 tally - F1 - Autosport Plus".