McLaren MP4/8B
Discussion
forix.autosport.com/8w/mc-lambo.html said:
(...)A McLaren-Lamborghini connection was first rumoured in August 1993. Italian papers stated that McLaren was building a car for Chrysler. The rumour was more than a rumour because a test car was actually being built. There seemed a possibility that the parent of Lamborghini, American giant Chrysler, wanted to expand their involvement in Formula 1.
(...)
Chrysler approached McLaren for a test. Lamborghini and McLaren already had a link via TAG Electronics who provided engine management systems for Lamborghini during 1992-'93. The new-for-1993 engine was the smallest and lightest V12 ever and was admired by several other teams. A car was also converted to enable Chrysler to judge whether the Lambo V12 had any potential to be a winner in F1. Several Lamborghini V12 engines were supplied to the Ron Dennis-managed Marlboro McLaren team, that modified a MP4/8 to 'B' spec for the test.
The first test took place on Monday September 20, 1993 with Ayrton Senna behind the wheel of this all-white sponsorless test car at Silverstone. Frenchman François Castaing, was the Chrysler vice-president of vehicle engineering, was backing the test as Chrysler was keen to promote their new Neon range of cars for their European introduction. Of course McLaren would provide a higher profile partner than the little Larrousse team. In Honda fashion Chrysler also wanted to train their engineers in this high-tech area.
The first public test came at Estoril during October 1993. Ayrton Senna called the engine reliable and promising. He also said: "It is very good, but it needs more power and is not very sophisticated. I am sure it could be very good for next season." Fuelling rumours of racing the engine during the running season Senna also said: "It would be very interesting to race the Lamborghini in Japan." Ron Dennis quickly denied this and said that they had no plans to race to race the Chrysler-financed V12. During these McLaren tests the V12 was always called a Chrysler V12. Back at home McLaren test-driver Mika Häkkinen ran at Silverstone 1.4s faster than with the Ford-powered car. Buoyed by the result Chrysler promised an all-new V12 engine to McLaren for 1994.
Meanwhile, Peugeot also wanted to enter Formula 1 with a V10 derived from their Group C engine. In mid-October Gérard Larrousse was rumoured to be close to a deal when McLaren shocked everyone with the announcement that they had signed a deal with Peugeot for 1994.
The information on what happened to the Lambo(Chrysler)/McLaren cooperation and why Ron was so against it is very scarce hence I'm wondering, has Ron ever admitted to why he decided to dump Lambo even though they were promising and went for the s(...)
Chrysler approached McLaren for a test. Lamborghini and McLaren already had a link via TAG Electronics who provided engine management systems for Lamborghini during 1992-'93. The new-for-1993 engine was the smallest and lightest V12 ever and was admired by several other teams. A car was also converted to enable Chrysler to judge whether the Lambo V12 had any potential to be a winner in F1. Several Lamborghini V12 engines were supplied to the Ron Dennis-managed Marlboro McLaren team, that modified a MP4/8 to 'B' spec for the test.
The first test took place on Monday September 20, 1993 with Ayrton Senna behind the wheel of this all-white sponsorless test car at Silverstone. Frenchman François Castaing, was the Chrysler vice-president of vehicle engineering, was backing the test as Chrysler was keen to promote their new Neon range of cars for their European introduction. Of course McLaren would provide a higher profile partner than the little Larrousse team. In Honda fashion Chrysler also wanted to train their engineers in this high-tech area.
The first public test came at Estoril during October 1993. Ayrton Senna called the engine reliable and promising. He also said: "It is very good, but it needs more power and is not very sophisticated. I am sure it could be very good for next season." Fuelling rumours of racing the engine during the running season Senna also said: "It would be very interesting to race the Lamborghini in Japan." Ron Dennis quickly denied this and said that they had no plans to race to race the Chrysler-financed V12. During these McLaren tests the V12 was always called a Chrysler V12. Back at home McLaren test-driver Mika Häkkinen ran at Silverstone 1.4s faster than with the Ford-powered car. Buoyed by the result Chrysler promised an all-new V12 engine to McLaren for 1994.
Meanwhile, Peugeot also wanted to enter Formula 1 with a V10 derived from their Group C engine. In mid-October Gérard Larrousse was rumoured to be close to a deal when McLaren shocked everyone with the announcement that they had signed a deal with Peugeot for 1994.
t box that was the Peugeot engine? Was it in hope that Peugeot will do everything to trump the at the time leading Renault engines? Or did McLaren get an incentive from PSA? If Chrysler got the gig Senna could have stayed with McLaren and 1994 would have been a different story...GCH said:
8V085 said:
and went for the st box that was the Peugeot engine? Was it in hope that Peugeot will do everything to trump the at the time leading Renault engines?
It was far from a sh!tbox in group C.....t box that was the Peugeot engine? Was it in hope that Peugeot will do everything to trump the at the time leading Renault engines? t in F1. But I guess you might be onto something, if Ron thought that they will be as good as in group C...Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff