McLaren MP4-19

McLaren MP4-19
Race Car
Category	Formula One
Constructor	McLaren
Designer	Neil Oatley (Executive Engineer) Adrian Newey (Technical Director) Paddy Lowe (Chief Engineer, Systems Development) Pat Fry (Chief Engineer, Race Development) Nikolas Tombazis (Chief Engineer, Aerodynamics) Tim Goss (Chief Engineer, Powertrain) Mark Williams (Chief Engineer, Vehicle Performance) Mike Coughlan (Chief Designer) Peter Prodromou (Head of Aerodynamics) Mario Illien (Chief Engine Designer (Ilmor-Mercedes))
Predecessor	McLaren MP4-18
Successor	McLaren MP4-20
Chassis	Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)	Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Suspension (rear)	Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Engine	Ilmor-built Mercedes-Benz FO110Q 3.0-litre V10 (90°) naturally-aspirated mid-engine
Electric_motor	{{{Electric motor}}}
Battery	{{{Battery}}}
Power	870 hp @ 18,500 rpm
Transmission	McLaren 7-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Weight	{{{Weight}}}
Fuel	Exxon, Mobil
Brakes	{{{Brakes}}}
Tyres	Michelin
Notable entrants	West McLaren Mercedes
Notable drivers	5. David Coulthard 6. Kimi Räikkönen
Debut	2004 Australian Grand Prix
Races competed	18
Race victories	1
Podiums	4
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0
Pole positions	1
Fastest laps	2

The McLaren MP4-19 is a Formula One racing car that was built by McLaren for the 2004 season. The chassis was designed by Adrian Newey, Paddy Lowe, Pat Fry, Mike Coughlan and Peter Prodromou with Mario Illien designing the bespoke Ilmor engine. The car was driven by Kimi Räikkönen and David Coulthard. It was described as a "debugged version" of the ill-fated McLaren MP4-18, but it was not a successful car. The team suffered various problems concerning reliability at the beginning of the season, with eight retirements in the first seven races. Launch control and fully-automatic gearboxes were also banned for 2004, meaning the driver had to start using the paddle-shifters, and find the effective bite point and release the clutch manually, again. These electronic driver aids had been used by the team for the previous three seasons, since the 2001 Spanish Grand Prix. By mid-season, a new car, the MP4-19B, was required. This was an all-new car with a radically redesigned aerodynamic package. The results were immediately positive and gave the team hope of a better end to the season. Coulthard qualified third for the MP4-19B's first race at the French Grand Prix, followed by further points and podiums from both drivers. The upgrade was finally justified when Räikkönen gave the team its only win of the season when he won the Belgian Grand Prix.

For most of the season, the MP4-19 featured a narrow, needle-like nose design first seen on the MP4-18. A wider, flatter nose was trialed at the Italian Grand Prix but was not retained. This would later be carried over to the MP4-20 in 2005, whilst the needle nose would be reused on the MP4-21 in 2006.

The team eventually finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship with 69 points, the team's lowest finish of the McLaren-Mercedes partnership since the 1996 season. McLaren used 'West' logos, except at the Canadian, French and British Grands Prix.

Members of the McLaren Formula One team push driver Kimi Räikkönen's MP4-19 into the garage during qualifying for the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis in 2004.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	Points	WCC
2004	McLaren	MP4-19	Mercedes V10	M		AUS	MAL	BHR	SMR	ESP	MON	EUR	CAN	USA	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	CHN	JPN	BRA	69	5th
					David Coulthard	8	6	Ret	12	10	Ret	Ret	6	7
					Kimi Räikkönen	Ret	Ret	Ret	8	11	Ret	Ret	5	6
		MP4-19B			David Coulthard										6	7	4	9	7	6	9	Ret	11
					Kimi Räikkönen										7	2	Ret	Ret	1	Ret	3	6	2

References

This page uses some content from Wikipedia. The original article was at McLaren MP4-19. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Autopedia, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.