McLaren M28
 | |||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | McLaren | ||||||||
| Designer(s) | Gordon Coppuck | ||||||||
| Predecessor | McLaren M26 | ||||||||
| Successor | McLaren M29 | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Chassis | Aluminium monocoque | ||||||||
| Engine | Ford-Cosworth DFV, 2993cc V8, naturally aspirated, mid-engined, longitudinally mounted | ||||||||
| Transmission | McLaren / Hewland FGA 400/6 6-speed manual | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Marlboro Team McLaren | ||||||||
| Notable drivers |
7.  8.  | ||||||||
| Debut | 1979 Argentine Grand Prix | ||||||||
| |||||||||
The McLaren M28 is a Formula One racing car built and run by McLaren in the 1979 Formula One World Championship. Powered by a naturally-aspirated Ford Cosworth 3-litre engine, the M28 was designed and wind tunnel tested during the latter half of 1978, at around the same time as Ronnie Peterson was mooted to join the team for the following season.[1] The car was noticeably larger than contemporary designs and was much bulkier looking. The bulky design had a sharp impact on top speed, and the car was one of the slowest through speed traps.
During initial testing, the M28 was soon found to have problems with poor grip as its ground effect design proved not particularly effective.[1] Lead driver John Watson has described the car as "a disaster."[2] However, it was still the preferred chassis over its predecessor, the McLaren M26, and was used during the first half of the 1979 season until a better design could be introduced. As their rivals introduced better cars through the season McLaren rapidly slipped out of the running for the championship.[1] However, it was driven to third in the opening race of the season, the 1979 Argentine Grand Prix, by Watson, who also took sixth in Belgium and fourth at Monaco. Its second driver was Patrick Tambay.
In addition to the McLaren team's customary red and white Marlboro sponsorship livery, the M28 also raced in the colours of German beer company Löwenbräu at the 1979 United States Grand Prix West.[3]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Marlboro Team McLaren | Ford Cosworth DFV | G | ARG | BRA | RSA | USW | ESP | BEL | MON | FRA | GBR | GER | AUT | NED | ITA | CAN | USA | 15* | 7th | |
| John Watson | 3 | 8 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 6 | 4 | 11 | |||||||||||||
| Patrick Tambay | Ret | 10 | Ret | 13 | DNQ | 10 | 7 |
* 7 points scored using the McLaren M29.
References
- 1 2 3 Watson, John (December 1999). "The Worst Car I Ever Drove: Blunder Bus". Motor Sport. Vol. 75 no. 12. pp. 50–51. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ↑ Fearnley, Paul (19 April 2018). "John Watson and the art of the pass". Motor Sport Online. Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ↑ Diepraam, Mattijs (May 1998). "McLaren's Löwenbräu connection". 8W. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
.svg.png){kind=small}
