McLaren MP4-23
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes | |||||||||||
| Notable drivers | 22.  Lewis Hamilton23.  Heikki Kovalainen | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debut | 2008 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| First win | 2008 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last win | 2008 Chinese Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last event | 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 1 (Lewis Hamilton, 2008) | ||||||||||
The McLaren MP4-23 was a
Development
Following the
As part of updated FIA regulations for the 2008 season, the MP4-23 as well as the other cars of 2008, used raised headrests in an effort to improve driver safety. The FIA had also banned traction control via the introduction of a standard ECU for 2008, making the MP4-23 the first McLaren to not use traction control since the 2001 MP4-16.
Revisions from the MP4-22 included a longer wheelbase, the removal of the "bullhorn" winglets from the airbox and a new rear wing which differed both in main profile and its endplates.[7][8] In the pre-German Grand Prix testing, the car was run with a "shark fin" engine cover, as sported by cars such as the Renault R28 and the Red Bull RB4, but the team did not permanently run it.[9]
At the
The MP4-23 was succeeded by the MP4-24.
Sponsorship and livery
The livery did not differ much from that of the MP4-22: grey remained the primary colour, while red, together with the main sponsor Vodafone, appeared on both wings, on the sidepods, above the body and on the side vents. The team logo was also placed on top of the sidepods, on both sides. The other sponsors were: Johnnie Walker, SAP, Aigo, Santander, Bridgestone and Mercedes-Benz.
McLaren MP4-23K
During the 2008-2009 off-season tests, McLaren tested a K version of its MP4-23, including a KERS and an enlarged front wing, modifications which would be used on the 2009 MP4-24.
Photos and media
-
Lewis Hamilton driving the MP4-23 at the 2008 Australian Grand Prix. -
Heikki Kovalainen driving the MP4-23 at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix. -
Hamilton drives to victory in the 2008 British Grand Prix. -
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in preparation for the revised aerodynamic rules of 2009.
Complete Formula One results
(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Vodafone McLaren Mercedes | Mercedes FO 108V 2.4 V8 | B | AUS | MAL | BHR | ESP | TUR | MON | CAN | FRA | GBR | GER | HUN | EUR | BEL | ITA | SIN | JPN | CHN | BRA | 151 | 2nd | |
| Lewis Hamilton
|
1 | 5 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Ret | 10 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 1 | 5 | ||||||
| Heikki Kovalainen
|
5 | 3 | 5 | Ret | 12 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 10† | 2 | 10 | Ret | Ret | 7 |
Notes and references
- ^ "McLaren unveils title contender". ITV. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 9 January 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- ^ "De la Rosa debuts the MP4-23 in Spain". Formula1.com. 9 January 2008. Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "McLaren hit by constructors' ban". BBC. 13 September 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- ]
- McLaren. 13 December 2007. Archived from the originalon 14 December 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- FIA. 13 December 2007. Archived from the originalon 14 December 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- ^ "2008 Ultimate Season Review". F1 Racing. Haymarket. March 2008. pp. 99–101.
- ^ "McLaren MP4-23 - rear wing". formula1.com. 16 March 2008. Archived from the original on 18 March 2008.
- ^ "McLaren vows to keep pushing for titles". ITV-F1. 11 July 2008. Archived from the original on 12 July 2008.
External links
