McLaren MP4-17

McLaren MP4-17
McLaren MP4-17D

Kimi Räikkönen driving the MP4-17D at the 2003 British Grand Prix
Category	Formula One
Constructor	McLaren
Designer(s)	Neil Oatley (Executive Engineer) Adrian Newey (Technical Director) Matthew Jeffreys (Chief Designer, 2002) Mike Coughlan (Chief Designer, 2003) Paddy Lowe (Chief Engineer, Systems Development) Pat Fry (Chief Engineer, Race Development) Tim Goss (Chief Engineer, Powertrain) Peter Prodromou (Head of Aerodynamics) Phil Adey (Chief Aerodynamicist) Mario Illien (Chief Engine Designer (Ilmor-Mercedes))
Predecessor	MP4-16
Successor	MP4-18 / MP4-19
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)	double wishbone, inboard torsion bar/damper system, pushrod and bell crank-activated
Suspension (rear)	double wishbone, inboard torsion bar/damper system, pushrod and bell crank-activated
Engine	Ilmor-built Mercedes-Benz FO110M / FO110P 3.0-litre V10 (90º) naturally-aspirated mid-engine
Transmission	McLaren 7-Speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Power	845-850 hp @ 18,500 rpm
Fuel	Mobil 1
Tyres	Michelin
Competition history
Notable entrants	West McLaren Mercedes
Notable drivers	3/5. David Coulthard 4/6. Kimi Räikkönen
Debut	2002 Australian Grand Prix (MP4-17) 2003 Australian Grand Prix (MP4-17D)
First win	2002 Monaco Grand Prix (MP4-17) 2003 Australian Grand Prix (MP4-17D)
Last win	2002 Monaco Grand Prix (MP4-17) 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix (MP4-17D)
Last event	2002 Japanese Grand Prix (MP4-17) 2003 Japanese Grand Prix (MP4-17D)
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 33 3 23 2 5
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The McLaren MP4-17 was the car with which the McLaren team competed in the 2002 and 2003 Formula One World Championships. The chassis was designed by Adrian Newey, Mike Coughlan, Neil Oatley and Peter Prodromou with Mario Illien designing the bespoke Ilmor engine. The car was driven by Briton David Coulthard and Finn Kimi Räikkönen in both seasons.

This was the first McLaren Formula One car supplied with Michelin tyres since the MP4/2 in 1984.

2002

The team did not perform as well as expected in 2002, in a season dominated by Ferrari, and due to the unreliability of the car; they eventually finished third in the Constructors' Championship with 65 points and one victory (in Monaco).

2003

Using a development version of the car, the MP4-17D, the 2003 season started very promisingly with wins at the first two grands prix of the year, one each for Coulthard and Räikkönen. However, rival teams soon caught up as McLaren was sidetracked by the development of the McLaren MP4-18, a radical new design, which due to reliability problems, never raced in anger. As a result, the team gradually fell slightly further back as the season progressed, allowing rivals, developing their cars more efficiently, to catch up. However, despite this setback, Räikkönen consistently finished in the points and challenged Michael Schumacher for the championship all the way up to the last race, eventually losing the title by only 2 points. The team again finished third in the Constructors' Championship, and having 142 points, just two points behind Williams F1.

Livery

Despite the livery design being similar, there were notable sponsorship differences, such as Computer Associates (2002) and Siemens Mobile (2003) branding on the bargeboards. 2003 was the final year for Loctite, as the brand itself was owned by Henkel and it would be switched for 2004.

McLaren used the 'West' logos in both seasons except at the French and British Grands Prix.

Complete Formula One results

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

Year	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Points	WCC
2002	MP4-17	Mercedes FO110M 3.0 V10	M		AUS	MAL	BRA	SMR	ESP	AUT	MON	CAN	EUR	GBR	FRA	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	USA	JPN	65	3rd
				David Coulthard	Ret	Ret	3	6	3	6	1	2	Ret	10	3	5	5	4	7	3	Ret
				Kimi Räikkönen	3	Ret	12†	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	4	3	Ret	2	Ret	4	Ret	Ret	Ret	3
2003	MP4-17D	Mercedes FO110M 3.0 V10 Mercedes FO110P 3.0 V10	M		AUS	MAL	BRA	SMR	ESP	AUT	MON	CAN	EUR	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	ITA	USA	JPN		142	3rd
				David Coulthard	1	Ret	4	5	Ret	5	7	Ret	15†	5	5	2	5	Ret	Ret	3
				Kimi Räikkönen	3	1	2	2	Ret	2	2	6	Ret	4	3	Ret	2	4	2	2