 The M2B on display at the Donington Grand Prix Collection | |||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | ||||||||
| Designer(s) | Robin Herd | ||||||||
| Successor | M4B | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Chassis | Mallite-aluminium alloy monocoque, with steel bulkheads | ||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Upper radius arm and lower wishbone, with rocker-arm operated, inboard coilover spring/dampers | ||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Upper transverse link and radius arm with reversed lower wishbone. Outboard coilover spring/dampers | ||||||||
| Engine | Ford 406 3.0 litre V8, Naturally aspirated, mid-mounted Serenissima M166 3.0 litre V8, Naturally aspirated, mid-mounted Mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive | ||||||||
| Transmission | ZF 4- and 5-speed manual transaxle | ||||||||
| Power | 300–315 hp (224–235 kW) @ 9,600 rpm[1] 221 lb⋅ft (300 N⋅m) torque | ||||||||
| Weight | 535 kg (1,179 lb) | ||||||||
| Tyres | Firestone | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Bruce McLaren Motor Racing | ||||||||
| Notable drivers |  Bruce McLaren | ||||||||
| Debut | 1966 Monaco Grand Prix | ||||||||
| Last event | 1966 Mexican Grand Prix | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
The McLaren M2B was the McLaren team's first Formula One racing car, used during the 1966 season. It was conceived in 1965 and preceded by the M2A development car. Designed by Robin Herd, the innovative but problematic Mallite material was used in its construction. The car was powered by Ford and Serenissima engines but both lacked power and suffered from reliability issues.
Driven by team founder Bruce McLaren, the M2B had a short Grand Prix career, entering six races and starting only four. It scored the team's first point at the British Grand Prix and two more points at the United States Grand Prix.