McLaren MP4-17

McLaren MP4-17
McLaren MP4-17D
Kimi Räikkönen driving the MP4-17D at the 2003 British Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMcLaren
Designer(s)Neil Oatley (Executive Engineer)
Adrian Newey (Technical Director)
Matthew Jeffreys (Chief Designer, 2002)
Mike Coughlan (Chief Designer, 2003)
Paddy Lowe (Chief Engineer, Systems Development)
Pat Fry (Chief Engineer, Race Development)
Tim Goss (Chief Engineer, Powertrain)
Peter Prodromou (Head of Aerodynamics)
Phil Adey (Chief Aerodynamicist)
Mario Illien (Chief Engine Designer (Ilmor-Mercedes))
PredecessorMP4-16
SuccessorMP4-18 / MP4-19
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)double wishbone, inboard torsion bar/damper system, pushrod and bell crank-activated
Suspension (rear)double wishbone, inboard torsion bar/damper system, pushrod and bell crank-activated
EngineIlmor-built Mercedes-Benz FO110M / FO110P 3.0-litre V10 (90º) naturally-aspirated mid-engine
TransmissionMcLaren 7-Speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Power845-850 hp @ 18,500 rpm[1]
FuelMobil 1
TyresMichelin
Competition history
Notable entrantsWest McLaren Mercedes
Notable drivers3/5. United Kingdom David Coulthard
4/6. Finland Kimi Räikkönen
Debut
First win
Last win
Last event
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
3332325
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The McLaren MP4-17 was the car with which the McLaren team competed in the 2002 and 2003 Formula One World Championships. The chassis was designed by Adrian Newey, Mike Coughlan, Neil Oatley and Peter Prodromou with Mario Illien designing the bespoke Ilmor engine. The car was driven by Briton David Coulthard and Finn Kimi Räikkönen in both seasons.

This was the first McLaren Formula One car supplied with Michelin tyres since the MP4/2 in 1984.

2002

[edit]

The team did not perform as well as expected in 2002, in a season dominated by Ferrari, and due to the unreliability of the car; they eventually finished third in the Constructors' Championship with 65 points and one victory (in Monaco).

2003

[edit]

Using a development version of the car, the MP4-17D, the 2003 season started very promisingly with wins at the first two grands prix of the year, one each for Coulthard and Räikkönen. However, rival teams soon caught up as McLaren was sidetracked by the development of the McLaren MP4-18, a radical new design, which due to reliability problems, never raced in anger. As a result, the team gradually fell slightly further back as the season progressed, allowing rivals, developing their cars more efficiently, to catch up. However, despite this setback, Räikkönen consistently finished in the points and challenged Michael Schumacher for the championship all the way up to the last race, eventually losing the title by only 2 points. The team again finished third in the Constructors' Championship, and having 142 points, just two points behind Williams F1.

Livery

[edit]

McLaren used 'West' logos in both seasons except at the French and British Grands Prix.

Complete Formula One results

[edit]

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position, results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC
2002 MP4-17 Mercedes FO110M 3.0 V10 M AUS MAL BRA SMR ESP AUT MON CAN EUR GBR FRA GER HUN BEL ITA USA JPN 65 3rd
United Kingdom David Coulthard Ret Ret 3 6 3 6 1 2 Ret 10 3 5 5 4 7 3 Ret
Finland Kimi Räikkönen 3 Ret 12 Ret Ret Ret Ret 4 3 Ret 2 Ret 4 Ret Ret Ret 3
2003 MP4-17D Mercedes FO110M 3.0 V10

Mercedes FO110P 3.0 V10

M AUS MAL BRA SMR ESP AUT MON CAN EUR FRA GBR GER HUN ITA USA JPN 142 3rd
United Kingdom David Coulthard 1 Ret 4 5 Ret 5 7 Ret 15 5 5 2 5 Ret Ret 3
Finland Kimi Räikkönen 3 1 2 2 Ret 2 2 6 Ret 4 3 Ret 2 4 2 2

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Engine Mercedes". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 26 November 2020.