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McLaren Mercedes Benz MP4/13 1998

McLaren Mercedes Benz MP4/13
McLaren Mercedes Benz MP4/13
After an optimistic campaign in 1997, McLaren Formula 1 team was determined to conquer the 1998 season with extensive technology development and aerodynamics advances. McLaren had two very mature and experienced riders but with the youth needed to risk: David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen.

With the addition of engineer Adrian Newey to McLaren, a great deal of progress was made in aerodynamics. Newey (from Williams) contributed a lot to the design of the new McLaren MP4/13, which dominated the 1998 season. The side deflectors and the redesign of the pontoons presented advances that would then be copied by other rival teams.

The McLaren MP4/13 dominated the 1998 Formula One championship. Finnish rider Mika Hakkinen started 9 times in pole position and won 8 Grand Prix in the season. The Finn scored a total of 100 points to be crowned champion pilot 1998.

Team mate David Coulthard scored 3 poles and a single win, although he rose 9 times to the podium. Coulthard's 6 second places assured McLaren the Constructors' Cup and absolute dominance in the championship. The McLaren MP4/13 was undoubtedly one of the most dominant cars ever in the F1.

Specifications of McLaren Mercedes Benz MP4/13

  • Year: 1998
  • Engine: Mercedes-Benz V10 FO110G
  • Displacement: 2.998 cm3
  • 40 valves
  • Semi-automatic six-speed transmission

  • Rear wheel drive

  • Power: 750 hp

  • Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 2,5 s

  • Maximum speed: over 340 km/h

  • Brakes: carbon discs on all four wheels

  • Weight: 600 kg
  • Power/Weight Ratio: 1.25 hp / kg
  • Tyres: Bridgestone

McLaren Mercedes Benz MP4/14 1999

McLaren Mercedes Benz MP4/14
McLaren Mercedes Benz MP4/14
The 1999 Formula 1 championship was surprising and kept the suspense until the last race. Ferrari had very competitive cars capable of defeating McLaren Mercedes, but his main driver Michael Schumacher suffered an accident that kept him off the track for several races. Schumacher lost his chance, but Ferrari tried to battle with Eddie Irvine.

Hakkinen was somewhat inconsistent, as despite having qualified first in 11 Grand Prix, he won only 5. Meanwhile, David Coulthard scored 2 wins but left 7 times.

Hakkinen was the champion driver with 76 points, only 2 more than Eddie Irvine. While Hakkinen won, McLaren was defeated in the Constructors' Cup by Ferrari by just 4 points.

In the 2000 season the dominion was transferred to the Ferrari F2000, which won 10 races with Schumacher. Mikka Hakkinen's 5 poles and 4 wins added to Coulthard's 3 poles and 3 wins were not enough to reach Ferrari.

McLaren placed their drivers in second and third place respectively in the standings but the Constructors' Cup also remained for the Italian team.

Specifications of McLaren Mercedes Benz MP4/14

  • Year: 1999
  • Engine: Mercedes-Benz V10
  • Displacement: 2.998 cm3
  • 40 valves
  • Semi-automatic six-speed transmission

  • Rear wheel drive

  • Power: 750 hp

  • Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 2,5 s

  • Maximum speed: over 340 km/h

  • Brakes: carbon discs on all four wheels

  • Weight: 600 kg
  • Power/Weight Ratio: 1.25 hp / kg
  • Tyres: Bridgestone

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© Adrián Blanco 2006 — Prohibited the total or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —

por Adrian Blanco