Truth about McLaren's F1 by the man who created it

Excellent share, thanks!!!

Methinks someone doth lean on his laurels a bit much, lately. Cue a round of interviews with GM slating the P12 project, shortly after its release. And author Green, since when is it called the "Gordon Murray McLaren F1"? I suggest reading Driving Ambition for a more complete and objective account of the McLaren F1's story, including the contributions of the many people involved in the project.

True, he is quite a bit egotistical, but almost rightfully so. The car WAS significantly contributed by him, and his F1 cars were very interesting and innovative as well. He is quirky as hell, but brilliant. In a weird fashion, I also agree that the P12, the Veyron, the new Ferrari F70 are not or will not be as pure as the F1 was. Doesn't mean that is necessarily bad, but it's just something different. There are very very few cars like it, the Zonda 760 RS is probably the closest thing.

TougeSpirit said:

True, he is quite a bit egotistical, but almost rightfully so. The car WAS significantly contributed by him, and his F1 cars were very interesting and innovative as well. He is quirky as hell, but brilliant. In a weird fashion, I also agree that the P12, the Veyron, the new Ferrari F70 are not or will not be as pure as the F1 was. Doesn't mean that is necessarily bad, but it's just something different. There are very very few cars like it, the Zonda 760 RS is probably the closest thing.

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That was then. This is now. The game has moved on and others are working within today's constraints while GM talks the talk. More walk, please. P12 will pummel the F1's performance into oblivion. If GM says he can do better in today's environment, then let's see it. Otherwise, to sit on the sidelines and denigrate everybody else's design decisions is poor form, in my opinion. Led Zeppelin didn't make one hit record and then sit back and criticize everybody else.

6th element said:

That was then. This is now. The game has moved on and others are working within today's constraints while GM talks the talk. More walk, please. P12 will pummel the F1's performance into oblivion. If GM says he can do better in today's environment, then let's see it. Otherwise, to sit on the sidelines and denigrate everybody else's design decisions is poor form, in my opinion. Led Zeppelin didn't make one hit record and then sit back and criticize everybody else.

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As far as im concerned the P12 will be as pure as Mclaren can make it within the legal requirements for worldwide sales,something GM didnt have to worry about in those days.
As you say,this is now !!

Great Article and Thank you for Posting it. Gordon Murray is a Genius.

+1. Great read and interesting choice for a shirt!

6th element said:

That was then. This is now. The game has moved on and others are working within today's constraints while GM talks the talk. More walk, please. P12 will pummel the F1's performance into oblivion. If GM says he can do better in today's environment, then let's see it. Otherwise, to sit on the sidelines and denigrate everybody else's design decisions is poor form, in my opinion. Led Zeppelin didn't make one hit record and then sit back and criticize everybody else.

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Led Zeppelin stole most of their songs from other artists they travelled with, when they were the Yardbirds. So, they actually did sit back and criticize by stealing, rather than developing a completely new sound.

I think you're missing the point. The F1 was years ahead of its time, while cars like the Veyron aren't - they're in line with the times, but not ahead. GM can say whatever he wants - he built one of the greatest cars of all time - he's got credibility in my book.

Great article! I'd be interested in hearing MP4-12c owners comments on throttle response for the turbos.. Seems that Gordon is not a fan of turbos in super cars which may indicate he did not play a role in the 12c development. I've struggled with turbos in the past, the best been the 911 Turbo with its variable vane technology - there always seems to be a lag however!

When I last drove a 12c (about 6 months ago) I did not notice any lag but I was in a lot of traffic at the time so probably not the best test!

fastdriver said:

Great article! I'd be interested in hearing MP4-12c owners comments on throttle response for the turbos.. Seems that Gordon is not a fan of turbos in super cars which may indicate he did not play a role in the 12c development. I've struggled with turbos in the past, the best been the 911 Turbo with its variable vane technology - there always seems to be a lag however!

When I last drove a 12c (about 6 months ago) I did not notice any lag but I was in a lot of traffic at the time so probably not the best test!

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below 2000 rpm and in a high gear you can get it to 'lag' if you want, but its only very small.. anything other than that you'll never notice...

the 911 turbo a dog compared IMHO.. power band is about 1500 rpm I seem to remember.. horrible.. GT2 thankfully different ball game..

McBeau said:

I think you're missing the point. The F1 was years ahead of its time, while cars like the Veyron aren't - they're in line with the times, but not ahead. GM can say whatever he wants - he built one of the greatest cars of all time - he's got credibility in my book.

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No, I acknowledge that completely and never said otherwise. I said it is poor form to criticize the work of others when you've been out of the supercar game for years. Plus, P1 is likely to be every bit as innovative as the F1 was. It's going to have several technology applications never seen before on a road car.

Mikeyb said:

below 2000 rpm and in a high gear you can get it to 'lag' if you want, but its only very small.. anything other than that you'll never notice...

the 911 turbo a dog compared IMHO.. power band is about 1500 rpm I seem to remember.. horrible.. GT2 thankfully different ball game..

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Thanks for the feedback, nice to know they have this sorted!

For me, the F1 is without peer both when it was made and today. That Gordon Murray designed it by himself makes it even more remarkable. I put Murray in the same league of forelooking genius as Kelly Johnson of Lockheed Martin (P-38, U-2, SR-71).

In addition to the F1 "firsts" listed in the article, no road car has ever gone up against the racing prototypes and thrashed them like the F1. No road car has won Le Mans in the modern era, other than the F1. No Veyron has ever won a professional road race and none ever will.

Gordon was the right chap in the right place at the right time. McLaren had the good sense to seize the moment and 20 years later, we are still actively debating the car's strengths and place in history.

Great job Gordon and McDaddy. Great job.

The 1995 McLaren F1 GTR was the last road car to win outright at Le Mans, and it was one of the actual few in the decade before that actually was a road car first and a race car second (looking at you Dauer 962...).

That alone to me shows just how good the car was.

MitchF1GTR said:

The 1995 McLaren F1 GTR was the last road car to win outright at Le Mans, and it was one of the actual few in the decade before that actually was a road car first and a race car second (looking at you Dauer 962...).

That alone to me shows just how good the car was.

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Finished 1-3-4-5.......let me guess u knew that too eh

Don't forget 13th....afterall they built 5 LM's to commemorate the win.

MitchF1GTR said:

Don't forget 13th....afterall they built 5 LM's to commemorate the win.

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You definitely have too much time on your hands!

How is that a problem or something to be angry about?

GeorgeSSS said:

For me, the F1 is without peer both when it was made and today. That Gordon Murray designed it by himself makes it even more remarkable.

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Would agree with that. Especially with modern regulations these days, I would be very surprised indeed if there could be a car built to surpass the F1.