McLaren M5A
Encyclopedia
The McLaren M5A/1 was a racing car constructed by Bruce McLaren Motor Racing, and was McLaren's first purpose-built Formula One
car. Like its M4B
predecessor, only one car of this type was ever built. The car was the first to use the BRM
type 101 3.0 litre V12 engine, which produced 365 bhp.
The M5A's first race was the rain-affected 1967 Canadian Grand Prix
, and after an early spin McLaren
worked his way up to fourth place, before a pit stop to change a flat battery caused by McLaren's decision not to use an alternator pushed him back down to seventh place at the end. At the next race in Italy
McLaren qualified third, but broke two connecting rods while battling for fourth place and retired after 46 laps. the last two races of the season were no better, with McLaren retiring from both.
With McLaren missing the season-opening 1968 South African Grand Prix
, reigning World Champion Denis Hulme took over the M5A, now painted orange rather than the original blood-red, and finished 2 laps adrift in fifth place.
, and used it to take part in 7 more Grands Prix in 1968, as well as that year's Race of Champions
, International Trophy and International Gold Cup meetings. His best result came in Italy
, with sixth place, but by now it was clear that the car was becoming both unreliable and slow, so Bonnier retired the car and hung it on the wall of his art gallery.
The car was later repainted in its original colours and demonstrated in various historic races around the world. Sadly Sir Jack Brabham
crashed the car heavily after a coming together with Jackie Oliver
at the 1999 Goodwood Revival Meeting and had to be cut free from the car. The car has since been restored back to original condition.
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
car. Like its M4B
McLaren M4B
The McLaren M4B was a Formula One racing car constructed by Trojan for Bruce McLaren Motor Racing and raced five times by New Zealander Bruce McLaren at the start of 1967.The M4B was based on the M4A Formula 2 car as a stopgap between the M2B and the M5A...
predecessor, only one car of this type was ever built. The car was the first to use the BRM
British Racing Motors
British Racing Motors was a British Formula One motor racing team. Founded in 1945, it raced from 1950 to 1977, competing in 197 Grands Prix and winning 17. In 1962, BRM won the Constructors' Title. At the same time, its driver, Graham Hill became World Champion...
type 101 3.0 litre V12 engine, which produced 365 bhp.
The M5A's first race was the rain-affected 1967 Canadian Grand Prix
1967 Canadian Grand Prix
The 1967 Canadian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Mosport Park on August 27, 1967. The race was won by Jack Brabham driving for his own Brabham team....
, and after an early spin McLaren
Bruce McLaren
Bruce Leslie McLaren , born in Auckland, New Zealand, was a race-car designer, driver, engineer and inventor....
worked his way up to fourth place, before a pit stop to change a flat battery caused by McLaren's decision not to use an alternator pushed him back down to seventh place at the end. At the next race in Italy
1967 Italian Grand Prix
The 1967 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 10, 1967. It was won by British driver John Surtees driving a Honda RA300. Jim Clark led the race until a little after the half way point when he picked up a puncture and lost an entire lap. He...
McLaren qualified third, but broke two connecting rods while battling for fourth place and retired after 46 laps. the last two races of the season were no better, with McLaren retiring from both.
With McLaren missing the season-opening 1968 South African Grand Prix
1968 South African Grand Prix
The 1968 South African Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Kyalami Circuit on January 1, 1968. It was the first round of the 1968 Formula One season. The race, contested over 73 laps, was won by two time World Drivers' Champion and 1965 Indianapolis 500 winner Jim Clark for Lotus-Ford...
, reigning World Champion Denis Hulme took over the M5A, now painted orange rather than the original blood-red, and finished 2 laps adrift in fifth place.
Joakim Bonnier Racing Team
Swedish privateer Jo Bonnier bought the M5A to replace his ageing Cooper T81Cooper T81
The Cooper T81 was one of the last Formula One racing cars produced by the Cooper Car Company. It was designed ahead of the World Championship season to operate within the new 3 litre engine regulations that came into effect that year...
, and used it to take part in 7 more Grands Prix in 1968, as well as that year's Race of Champions
Race of Champions (Brands Hatch)
The Race of Champions was a non-championship Formula One motor race held at the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent, United Kingdom between 1965 and 1979, and again in 1983. It often attracted high quality entries from the Formula One World Championship. The first race was won by Mike Spence...
, International Trophy and International Gold Cup meetings. His best result came in Italy
1968 Italian Grand Prix
The 1968 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the Monza Autodrome on September 8, 1968. It was the ninth round of the 1968 Formula One season.- Classification :-Standings after the race:Drivers' Championship standings...
, with sixth place, but by now it was clear that the car was becoming both unreliable and slow, so Bonnier retired the car and hung it on the wall of his art gallery.
The car was later repainted in its original colours and demonstrated in various historic races around the world. Sadly Sir Jack Brabham
Jack Brabham
Sir John Arthur "Jack" Brabham, AO, OBE is an Australian former racing driver who was Formula One champion in , and . He was a founder of the Brabham racing team and race car constructor that bore his name....
crashed the car heavily after a coming together with Jackie Oliver
Jackie Oliver
Keith Jack Oliver, better known as Jackie Oliver, is a British former Formula One driver and team-owner from England...
at the 1999 Goodwood Revival Meeting and had to be cut free from the car. The car has since been restored back to original condition.