McLaren MP4-29

The McLaren MP4-29 was a Formula One racing car designed and built by McLaren to compete in the 2014 Formula One season.[6] The chassis was designed by Tim Goss, Neil Oatley, Matt Morris, Mark Ingham and Marcin Budkowski and was powered by a customer Mercedes-Benz powertrain. The car was unveiled on 24 January 2014,[6] and was driven by 2009 World Drivers' Champion Jenson Button and debutant Kevin Magnussen, who replaced Sergio Pérez, after he won the 2013 Formula Renault 3.5 Series title.[4][5]

McLaren MP4-29
Jenson Button driving the MP4-29 at the 2014 Chinese Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMcLaren
Designer(s)Tim Goss (Technical Director)
Matt Morris (Engineering Director)
Phil Prew (Chief Engineer)
Mark Williams (Head of Vehicle Engineering)
Mark Ingham (Head of Vehicle Design)
Marcin Budkowski (Head of Aerodynamics)
Doug McKeirnan (Chief Aerodynamicist)
PredecessorMcLaren MP4-28
SuccessorMcLaren MP4-30
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon-fibre composite incorporating driver cockpit controls and fuel cell
Suspension (front)Carbon-fibre wishbone and pushrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
Suspension (rear)Carbon-fibre wishbone and pull-rod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
Length5,100 mm (201 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height950 mm (37 in)
Wheelbase3,460 mm (136 in) adjustable -/+20 mm (0.7874 in)
EngineMercedes PU106A Hybrid Turbo[2] 1.6 L (98 cu in) V6 (90°), 15,000 RPM limited , in a rear mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
Electric motorMercedes PU106A Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Kinetic (MGU-K)
Mercedes PU106A Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Heat (MGU-H)
TransmissionMcLaren Applied Technologies 8-speed + 1 reverse sequential seamless semi-automatic paddle shift with epicyclic differential and multi-plate limited-slip clutch
Weight691 kg (1,523.4 lb) (with driver)
FuelEsso and Mobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
LubricantsMobil 1
TyresPirelli P Zero dry slick and Pirelli Cinturato treaded intermediate and wet tyres
ClutchAP Racing electro-hydraulically operated, carbon multi-plate
Competition history
Notable entrantsMcLaren Mercedes[3]
Notable drivers20. Denmark Kevin Magnussen[4]
22. United Kingdom Jenson Button[5]
Debut2014 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
190200

Background

The MP4-29 was designed to use Mercedes' new 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engine,[7] the PU106A Hybrid.[2]

The MP4-29 was McLaren's first turbo-powered Formula One car since the Honda engined MP4/4 which powered Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost to 15 wins and 15 pole positions from 16 races in 1988. This was the last McLaren model that was powered by a Mercedes-Benz engine until the 2021 season, due to the team switching to Honda in 2015. It was also the last Mercedes-powered F1 car to use ExxonMobil fuel to foster Mercedes' partnership with Petronas.

It is the first Formula One car to use the Esso brand since 2009, which applied in some places for the 2014 season and applied fully from 2015 along with Exxon and Mobil in selected locations before switched to Red Bull Racing in 2017.[8]

Season
Button driving the MP4-29 at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix

At the Australian Grand Prix, Kevin Magnussen and Jenson Button finished third and fourth on the road, respectively, but were elevated to second and third after Daniel Ricciardo's disqualification. This was McLaren's last podium until the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix. The cars sported a Mobil 1 livery to honour the team's 20-year association with the brand.

The promising result from Australia was followed by disappointing performances, including both cars unable to complete the Bahrain Grand Prix due to technical reasons. The team failed to record another podium finish all season, and although statistically, the MP4-29 was the most mechanically reliable car of the season with 36 classified finishes out of a possible 38, they ultimately finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship.

Aftermath

McLaren MP4-29H/1X1

A variation of the MP4-29, known as the McLaren MP4-29H/1X1 was introduced as a development car ahead of the team's engine partnership with Honda in 2015.[9] After completing a shakedown at Silverstone, the McLaren ran the MP4-29H at the post-season tests at the Yas Marina Circuit in the week after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where it was driven by McLaren's development driver Stoffel Vandoorne.[10] The car suffered problems throughout, completing a total of six untimed laps over the two-day test.[11][12]

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Pts WCC
2014 McLaren Mercedes Mercedes PU106A Hybrid P AUS MAL BHR CHN ESP MON CAN AUT GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN JPN RUS USA BRA ABU‡ 181 5th
Kevin Magnussen 2 9 Ret 13 12 10 9 7 7 9 12 12 10 10 14 5 8 9 11
Jenson Button 3 6 17† 11 11 6 4 11 4 8 10 6 8 Ret 5 4 12 4 5

Notes:

  • † — Driver failed to finish the race, but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.
  • ‡ — Teams and drivers scored double points at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

References
  1. "McLaren MP4-29 specs". Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  2. "Mercedes names 2014 F1 V6 Engine 'PU106A Hybrid'". This Is F1. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  3. Collantine, Keith (14 March 2013). "McLaren to lose Vodafone title sponsorship". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  4. Noble, Jonathan (14 November 2013). "Kevin Magnussen signs to race for McLaren in Formula 1 in 2014". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  5. Collantine, Keith (13 November 2013). "McLaren: Button's 2014 team-mate not signed yet". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  6. Noble, Jonathan (7 January 2014). "McLaren reveals new F1 car launch date". Autosport. Jonathan Noble. Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  7. Noble, Jonathan (16 May 2013). "McLaren believes switch to Honda engines will not compromise 2014". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2013. McLaren believes its world championship challenge with Mercedes next year will not be compromised by its planned switch to Honda engines for 2015.
  8. GMM (28 March 2014). "McLaren running 'Esso' branding at Sepang". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  9. Collantine, Keith (25 November 2014). "First McLaren-Honda test "went well", says Boullier". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Archived from the original on 27 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  10. "McLaren to use B-spec car in Abu Dhabi". Sky Sports. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  11. "Bottas puts Williams on top in Abu Dhabi test". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 25 November 2014. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  12. "Wehrlein fastest for Mercedes as Abu Dhabi test ends". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 26 November 2014. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
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