McLaren M19A

The McLaren M19A is a Formula One racing car built and run by McLaren in three World Championship seasons between 1971 and 1973. The C version (an extension of the A car) was used in the 1972 and 1973 seasons.

McLaren M19

Peter Gethin driving the M19A, during the 1971 German Grand Prix.
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMcLaren Racing
Designer(s)Ralph Bellamy
Ray Stokoe
PredecessorM14A
SuccessorM23
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisAluminium monocoque.
Suspension (front)Double wishbone.
Suspension (rear)Double wishbone.
Axle trackFront: 63.0 in (160 cm)
Rear: 62.0 in (157 cm)
Wheelbase100 in (254 cm)
EngineFord-Cosworth DFV 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in) 90° V8, naturally aspirated, mid-mounted.
TransmissionHewland DG400 5-speed manual gearbox.
Weight560 kg (1,235 lb)
Competition history
Notable entrantsBruce McLaren Motor Racing
Penske-White Racing
Yardley Team McLaren
Notable driversNew Zealand Denny Hulme
United States Peter Revson
South Africa Jody Scheckter
United Kingdom Brian Redman
Debut1971 South African Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
2511313
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to
Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.

Design

With Gordon Coppuck preoccupied by designing the McLaren M16 Indianapolis 500 car, the task of designing an all-new Formula 1 car for 1971 fell on Ralph Bellamy. The result was a distinctive car that was nicknamed "The Alligator Car".[2] The pear-shaped cockpit sides that led to this nickname were a result of placing two of the car's three 15 imp gal (68 L) fuel tanks alongside the driver.[3]

The M19A used inboard coilover shocks for the front and rear suspension, which were actuated through a swinging link that gave an increasing spring rate as the springs were compressed.[3] This linkage was dropped in favor of a conventional system with the M19C.[1] The M19A and M19C both used a mid-mounted Cosworth DFV V8 and Hewland 5-speed manual gearbox.

Competition history

1971

The McLaren M19A debuted at the 1971 South African Grand Prix with 1967 world champion Denny Hulme driving. Peter Gethin continued driving a McLaren M14A until a second M19A was built for the Dutch Grand Prix. Jackie Oliver took over driving the second McLaren for the Austrian Grand Prix after Gethin left to drive for BRM. Hulme scored the M19's first fastest lap at the Canadian Grand Prix, but a string of reliability issues had left McLaren placing only sixth in the Constructor's Championship.

The second car was sponsored by Penske-White Racing for the Canadian Grand Prix and United States Grand Prix. Mark Donohue made his Formula 1 debut in that car at Canada, finishing third. David Hobbs drove the car for the United States Grand Prix.

1972
The McLaren M19C of Peter Revson on a demonstration run during the 2004 Canadian Grand Prix

McLaren gained a new sponsor for the 1972 Formula One season, the cosmetics and perfume company Yardley of London. The cars were repainted white to reflect this new sponsorship, with only the side fuel tanks continuing to be painted in the traditional McLaren orange.

The season began on a high note with Denny Hulme finishing the Argentine Grand Prix in second place, the first podium finish for a McLaren M19. Peter Revson made his McLaren debut in the second car. The next race proved even better, with both drivers on the podium and Hulme taking both his and McLaren's first win since the 1969 Mexican Grand Prix.

The modified M19C made its debut at Monaco in the hands of Denny Hulme, with Revson and Brian Redman continuing to use the M19A until the Austrian Grand Prix. Revson claimed pole position at the Canadian Grand Prix, McLaren's first ever pole position. Increased reliability over 1971 and a string of podium finishes secured third place in the 1972 Constructor's Championship for McLaren.

Future world champion Jody Scheckter made his Formula 1 debut in a M19A at the United States Grand Prix.

1973

McLaren began the 1973 Formula One season with both Denny Hulme and Peter Revson continuing to drive the M19C. Revson switched to a M19A for the Brazilian Grand Prix, then Hulme was given the new McLaren M23 for the South African Grand Prix. Hulme qualified the M23 on pole and finished fifth, with Revson and Jody Scheckter finishing in second and ninth place in the two M19C's, giving the M19 its 13th and final podium finish. This race would prove to be the last race for a McLaren M19.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

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

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Points WCC
1971 Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Ford Cosworth DFV G RSA ESP MON NED FRA GBR GER AUT ITA CAN USA 10* 6th
New Zealand Denny Hulme 6 5 4 12 Ret Ret Ret Ret 4 Ret
United Kingdom Peter Gethin NC 9 Ret Ret
United Kingdom Jackie Oliver 9
Penske-White Racing United States Mark Donohue 3 DNS
United Kingdom David Hobbs 10
1972 Yardley Team McLaren Ford Cosworth DFV G ARG RSA ESP MON BEL FRA GBR GER AUT ITA CAN USA 47 3rd
New Zealand Denny Hulme 2 1 Ret 15 3 7 5 Ret 2 3 3 3
United States Peter Revson Ret 3 5 7 3 3 4 2 18
United Kingdom Brian Redman 5 9 5
South Africa Jody Scheckter 9
1973 Yardley Team McLaren Ford Cosworth DFV G ARG BRA RSA ESP BEL MON SWE FRA GBR NED GER AUT ITA CAN USA 58** 3rd
New Zealand Denny Hulme 5 3
United States Peter Revson 8 Ret 2
South Africa Jody Scheckter 9

** 36 points in 1973 scored using the McLaren M23

References
  1. "1971 McLaren M19A Cosworth". Ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  2. "McLaren Formula 1 - The Cars: McLaren M19C". mclaren.com. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  3. "NEW RACING CARS ---McLaren Indianapolis & FI March 711, BRM P160". motorsportmagazine.com. Motor Sport. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
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