The McLaren MP4-27 was a car designed by McLaren for the 2012 Formula One Season. The drivers were Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. It was launched on the 1st February at McLaren's team base at Woking, Surrey. The car made its first proper track appearance on February 7 for the 2012 Jerez Test at Jerez de la Frontera.
The car was powered by a Mercedes-Benz V8 engine.
McLaren were the championship leaders for the first three races and throughout the season had a car that was one of the fastest on quali pace throughout the season, but mid-way through the season the car struggled to challenge for race wins, not helped by some poor reliability and pitstops. The team could not keep up the championship fight and eventually fell to third behind Ferrari in second with Red Bull as constructors' champions.
Design Team[]
| Role | Person |
|---|---|
| Team principal | Martin Whitmarsh |
| Managing director | Jonathan Neale |
| Engineering director | Paddy Lowe |
| Design and development director | Neil Oatley |
| Sporting director | Sam Michael |
| Chief aerodynamicist | Doug McKiernan |
| Head of vehicle design | Andrew Bailey |
| Head of race operations | Simon Roberts |
| Head of vehicle engineering | Mark Williams |
| Team manager | Dave Redding |
| Chief race engineer | Phil Prew |
Source:[1]
McLaren MP4-27 Technical Specifications[]
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Monocoque | McLaren-moulded carbon-fibre composite incorporating front and side impact structures |
| Front suspension | Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement |
| Rear suspension | Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pullrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement |
| Electronics | McLaren Electronic Systems. Including chassis control, engine control, data acquisition, dashboard, alternator, sensors, data analysis and telemetry. |
| Bodywork | Carbon-fibre composite. Separate engine cover, sidepods and floor. Structural nose with integral front wing. Driver-operated drag reduction system |
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero |
| Weight | 640 kg (including driver) |
| Radio | Kenwood |
| Race wheels | Enkei |
| Brake callipers | Akebono |
| Master cylinders | Akebono |
| Batteries | GS Yuasa Corporation |
| Steering | McLaren power assisted |
| Instruments | McLaren Electronic Systems |
| Paint solutions | AkzoNobel Car Refinishes using Sikkens products |
| Gearbox | McLaren-moulded carbon-fibre composite. Integral rear impact structure |
| Gears | Seven forward and one reverse |
| Gear selection | McLaren seamless shift, hand-operated |
| Clutch | Carbon/carbon, hand-operated |
| Lubricants | Mobil |
Mercedes FO 108Z Technical Specifications[]
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Mercedes-Benz FO 108Z |
| Capacity | 2.4 litres |
| Engine placement | Mid-mount |
| Engine configuration | V |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Maximum RPM | 18,000 |
| Bank angle | 90° |
| Piston bore maximum | 98 mm |
| Number of valves | 32 |
| Fuel | ExxonMobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel) |
| Spark Plugs | NGK racing spark plugs specially designed for Formula One |
| Lubricants | Mobil 1 – combining greater performance, protection and cooling with increased economy and lower emissions |
| Weight | 95 kg (minimum FIA regulation weight) |
| KERS Hybrid Type | Mercedes-Benz |
| e-Motor | Engine-mounted electrical motor/generator |
| ESS | Integrated energy storage cells and power electronics |
| Power | 60 kW |
Results[]
* Retired, but completed enough distance to be classified.
† Qualified on pole, but was excluded from qualifying for not having enough fuel left after completing his final qualifying lap.
Statistics[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Jones, Bruce (2012). The Official BBC SPORT Guide Formula One 2012, P. 15. Carlton. ISBN 978-1-78097-031-8.
| v·d·e | Nominate this page for Featured Article |