The COAT - Round One - McLaren MP4/5 vs McLaren MP4/13

[crmalcolm]

The tenth match in Round One, and we have two cars from the McLaren stable going head-to-head. The McLaren MP4/5 vs the McLaren MP4/13.

McLaren MP4/5(B) (snaplap.net):
The McLaren MP4/5 was the car that won both Drivers’ and Teams’ Formula 1 World Championship titles in 1989.
Based on the legendary MP4/4 model, the McLaren MP4/5 was a worthy successor. Designed by American engineer Steve Nichols, who was supported by Steve Oatley and Gordon Murray, the new car had one major change and it was the engine. Turbocharged engines were banned and replaced with naturally aspirated. Honda did a great job as the power unit was reliable. It featured four valves per cylinder and twin overhead camshafts.
Compared to its predecessor, the McLaren MP4/5 featured a new monocoque design to improve aerodynamic performance while the biggest difference between the McLaren MP4/4 and its successor was the addition of an airbox to feed the intake trumpets of the new Honda engine which was developed in Japan for almost two years.
Even before the start of the season it was clear that McLaren is far ahead from other teams and that only a miracle can stop them from winning another double. Even after being superior to the rest of the grid, the McLaren MP4/5 was not devoid of problems. Both drivers complained about throttle responses, balance, and handling. There also were some lubrication issues and troubles with the gearbox in the first half of the season. However, technical problems were solved more or less successfully but the main problem for the team was a relationship between two superstars – Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

In the hands of two legendary Formula 1 driver, the McLaren MP4/5 was a mighty machine that dominated 1989 season. Reigning champion Senna won six races that year but wasn’t able to defend his crown. Prost won on four occasions but his form was more consistent and had only three retirements, comparing to Senna’s six. Another interesting fact is that Senna won 13 pole positions while his teammate jut twice was pole-sitter. Prost had five fastest laps over the season while Senna scored three.
Prost won his third Formula 1 title and McLaren easily won its 5th overall Constructors’ Championship title and 4th during the 1980s, equalling the result of the Williams team. However, that wasn’t the end for McLaren MP4/5. In 1990, the Woking-based team introduced the modified McLaren MP4/5B model and again was able to win the double.

McLaren MP4/13 (goodwood.com):
The headline, of course, is that this is the car that took Mika Häkkinen to the 1998 Drivers’ title, his first of two, and McLaren to the 1998 Constructor’s, its eighth and last title. But it was also the car in which David Coulthard came third in the drivers’ standings, beaten by Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher, and overall it took nine wins out of 16 races, finished in the podium places in all but one event and cracked five one-twos. Add to that nine fastest laps and 12 pole positions. Not a bad run, wouldn’t you say?

The MP4/13 was a little bit taller (51mm) and a fraction longer (1mm) than the 1997 MP4/12, but it was a full 200mm wider and had a 45mm longer wheelbase. It also ran on Bridgestone tyres rather than Goodyears, had an entirely different suspension set-up, and a more-powerful 3.0-litre, naturally aspirated V10 engine. All of these changes, combined with so many other developments with the chassis, the brakes and the aerodynamics, pushed the MP4/13 not just beyond the MP4/12 but beyond the reach of both Ferrari and Williams.

Looking back at its record breaking Festival run at the hands of McLaren test driver Nick Heidfeld in 1999, with the car flitting left and right over cambers of the Hill, past hay bales and a big, very solid flint wall, it seems like something of a miracle McLaren let the car attend at all. But, we have to say, we’re very, very glad it did.

[S griffin]

Hmm tough one. Both the best cars after a major technical rule change. Difference is though is in 89 McLaren had just come off the back of a dominant season the year before, whereas in 98 McLaren had made a major leap

[Gerard C]

I cant but repeat that the picture Senna/ Prost is enjoyable to my eyes… A good link between the GOAT and the COAT methinks!

[Adam43]

Can’t give it to /5. Had too much of an advantage with Prost and Senna driving. /13 had to put up with Coulthard.

The extra pedal. I liked that. Even after the kill joys got rid of that it looked great on the edge in Q with Mika. Well done Newey.