McLaren MP4-21

Overview

The MP4-21 was designed by Adrian Newey, Paddy Lowe, Tim Goss, Mike Coughlan and Peter Prodromou. The MP4-21 was the successor to the competitive MP4-20 of the prior season, although significantly different with 90% of the 11,500 components changed from the season prior. In addition, the utilisation of the new V8 specification engines meant that the side air intakes were reduced in size, therefore making aerodynamic benefits. The distinctive needle-nose design was previously used on the MP4-19 in . The MP4-21 was the first McLaren car to be powered by purely Mercedes-Benz engines after 11 years partnership with Ilmor as an engine builder.

The MP4-21 was seen on track for the first time in late January 2006 at Barcelona. It was finished in a historic papaya orange livery. In February, the official livery of the MP4-21 was launched in a chrome finish.

The first race at Bahrain delivered a podium finish for Räikkönen. Montoya would score podiums at San Marino for third and Monaco for second, however there were six retirements in the first seven races for the MP4-21. The MP4-21 was regularly outpaced by the Ferrari 248 and the Renault R26.

Montoya left the team in order to move to Chip Ganassi Racing in NASCAR after retiring from the 2006 United States Grand Prix. Pedro de La Rosa took his race seat. de La Rosa would score a career best second place at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix driving the MP4-21.

Despite a number of podiums for all three drivers, McLaren did not win a single Grand Prix with the MP4-21. This was the first season since 1996 the team failed to win a race. Räikkönen finished in fifth place in the World Drivers' Championship. McLaren finished third in the World Constructors' Championship with 110 points.

Post-season

Following the conclusion of the season, former driver and two-time world champion Mika Häkkinen tested the MP4-21 with a view to an F1 return. However, this did not materialise.

An MP4-21 showcar is displayed at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, although now painted in Jenson Button's 2010 livery. Before its closure, MP4-21 chassis 6 was on display at the Donington Grand Prix Collection. An MP4-21 show car is currently for sale via F1 Authentics. Chassis 3, driven by Montoya in the first three Grands Prix of the season and later tested by Hamilton, sold for £2 million in early 2025. It had been fully restored by McLaren in 2019.

Livery

The team's sponsorship agreement with West had come to an end in 2005. Emirates and Johnnie Walker are the primary sponsors of the team.

In Bahrain, to overcome alcohol regulations, the Johnnie Walker text was replaced with "Keep Walking". In France, the logo was removed. In Turkey, it was replaced with Diageo, owner of the brand.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

References

References

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