McLaren MP4-4 specs & info

Ayrton Senna racing the McLaren MP4/4 Honda during the Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa circuit in Belgium (1988). Mandatory Credit: Pascal Rondeau/Allsport

McLaren's F1 car for 1988

The McLaren MP4/4 is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula One cars of all time. Designed by Steve Nichols and Gordon Murray, the MP4/4 was built for the 1988 season, which was dominated by McLaren and its drivers Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

The car's sleek and aerodynamic design made it a formidable opponent on the track, with its Honda V6 turbo engine delivering incredible power and speed. The MP4/4 won an impressive 15 out of 16 races in the 1988 season, with Senna taking eight victories and Prost seven.

Senna and Prost's intense rivalry throughout the season culminated in a dramatic finale at the Japanese Grand Prix, where Senna emerged victorious and claimed his first World Championship title. The MP4/4's dominance was so overwhelming that it remains the only car in Formula One history to win 15 out of 16 races in a single season.

The McLaren MP4/4's legacy lives on today, as it continues to be celebrated as a symbol of excellence and dominance in the world of Formula One. Its place in motorsport history is secure, and it will always be remembered as one of the greatest racing cars ever built.

Technical Specification McLaren MP4-4 F1 car

Chassis Carbon fibre honeycomb monocoque
Suspension (front) Double wishbones, pull/push-rod actuated coil springs and dampers
Suspension (rear) Double wishbones, rocker-arm actuated coil springs and dampers
Axle track Front: 1,824 mm (71.8 in)
Rear: 1,670 mm (66 in)
Wheelbase 2,875 mm (113.2 in)
Engine Honda RA168E, 1,494 cc (91.2 cu in), 80° turbocharged V6 (2.5 Bar limited), mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Weismann-McLaren 6-Speed manual
Power 650–700 hp (485–522 kW) @ 12,500 rpm[4]
Fuel Shell
Tyres Goodyear