McLaren MP4-16

The McLaren MP4-16 was the car with which the McLaren team competed in the 2001 FIA Formula One World Championship. It was driven by double world champion Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard in what would be their sixth and final season together as McLaren teammates.

McLaren MP4-16

Category	Formula One
Constructor	McLaren
Designer(s)	Adrian Newey (Technical Director) Steve Nichols (Engineering Director) Neil Oatley (Design Director) Peter Prodromou (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor	MP4/15
Successor	MP4-17
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon-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
Engine	Ilmor-built Mercedes-Benz FO110K 3.0 L (183 cu in) V10 (72°) naturally aspirated, 19,500 RPM limited.
Transmission	McLaren 7-Speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Fuel	Mobil Unleaded
Lubricants	Mobil 1
Tyres	Bridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrants	West McLaren Mercedes
Notable drivers	3. Mika Häkkinen 4. David Coulthard
Debut	2001 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F.Laps 17 4 2 6
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

Competition history

Mika Häkkinen driving the MP4-16 at the 2001 Canadian Grand Prix.

After being narrowly pipped to both titles in 2000 by Ferrari, the aim of 2001 was to get McLaren back on top. However, the season proved to be frustrating in more ways than one. The chassis was good, but it was not developed enough to keep pace with Ferrari or new rivals Williams and also suffered from niggling aerodynamic problems; the Mercedes-Benz engines were less powerful than Williams's BMW units and less reliable than Ferrari's in-house efforts; and the team did not do a good enough job regarding the return of electronic driver aids.

Moreover, Häkkinen had his least successful season since 1997, suffering both from appalling luck and a loss of form at many races. The most notable incident was in Spain when he suffered a last-lap clutch/engine failure while leading. Despite winning two Grands Prix, he elected to retire at the end of the season, and would be replaced by compatriot Kimi Räikkönen. Coulthard, by contrast, produced the best season of his career to date, winning two races early on and mounting a championship challenge to Michael Schumacher. However, McLaren lost this early parity with Ferrari and he was fortunate to keep second place in the Drivers' Championship ahead of Ferrari's number two, Rubens Barrichello.

Similarly, the team regarded themselves as fortunate to come second in the Constructors' Championship, with 102 points, ahead of the resurgent Williams team.

Livery

McLaren Mercedes went into the 2001 season with renewed major sponsorships such as West, Mobil 1, Mercedes-Benz, Hugo Boss, Sun Microsystems, Computer Associates, Warsteiner, Schüco and Loctite. McLaren-Mercedes received new sponsorship such as SAP, Siemens Mobile and discontinued sponsorships are Fujitsu Siemens. The livery was similar to the 2000 design with subtle changes.

McLaren used 'West' logos, except at the French and British Grands Prix.

Complete Formula One results

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

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Points	WCC
2001	McLaren	Mercedes-Benz V10	B		AUS	MAL	BRA	SMR	ESP	AUT	MON	CAN	EUR	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	USA	JPN	102	2nd
				Mika Häkkinen	Ret	6	Ret	4	9	Ret	Ret	3	6	DNS	1	Ret	5	4	Ret	1	4
				David Coulthard	2	3	1	2	5	1	5	Ret	3	4	Ret	Ret	3	2	Ret	3	3

References

• Henry, Alan (ed.) (2001). AUTOCOURSE 2001-2002. Hazleton Publishing Ltd. pp. 62–65. ISBN 1-903135-06-0.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)

External links