McLaren MP4/7A
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| Category | Formula One |
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| Constructor | McLaren International |
| Designer | Neil Oatley |
| Chassis | Carbon fibre monocoque |
| Suspension (front) | Unequal-length wishbones, pushrod pushrod-operated horizontal spring/dampers |
| Suspension (rear) | As front. |
| Engine | Honda RA122E/B 3500cc V12 Normally aspirated Mid-engined, longitudinally mounted. |
| Transmission | McLaren 6-speed Semi-automatic, transversely mounted |
| Fuel | Shell |
| Tyres | Goodyear |
| Notable entrants | Marlboro McLaren International |
| Notable drivers |  Ayrton Senna, Gerhard Berger |
| Debut | 1992 Brazilian Grand Prix |
| Races competed | 14 |
| Race victories | 5 |
| Constructors' Championships | 0 |
| Drivers' Championships | 0 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
The McLaren MP4/7A was McLaren International's Formula One entry, and follow-up to their successful MP4/6 from the previous season. The Williams-Renault combination was getting faster and more reliable as the previous season wore on, and became a formidable challenger to McLaren's dominance. McLaren used the McLaren MP4/6 chassis, designated MP4/6B for the slightly modified Honda RA122E engine, for the first two races of the 1992 season. The all-new MP4/7A was expected for the Spanish Grand Prix, the fourth race of the year. Due to WilliamsF1's speed in pre-season testing, Ron Dennis made the decision to bring the car out one race early, at the Brazilian Grand Prix. However, this was one month earlier than expected.
This was the first McLaren to use a semi-automatic transmission; it was a McLaren-designed electro-hydraulic unit with semi-automatic activation. TAG Electronic Systems (a technology partner with McLaren) helped with development. This system allowed the driver to keep his foot on the pedal, without lifting from it, since the throttle cable was replaced with an electronic sensor. It also controlled engine speed automatically during gear changes. [1]
[edit] Success
For the first time since 1987, McLaren had failed to capture the Constructor's Championship nor secure a driver's World Championship title, the first failure to do so since switching to Honda power in 1988. However, five Grand Prix victories were recorded by the drivers: Three for Ayrton Senna, in his 5th season for the team, and two for Gerhard berger, in his third and final season for McLaren. [2]
[edit] Race Wins
- 1992 Monaco Grand Prix
- 1992 Canadian Grand Prix
- 1992 Hungarian Grand Prix
- 1992 Italian Grand Prix
- 1992 Australian Grand Prix
[edit] Footnotes
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| Formula One cars: | |
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1960s: M2B (1966) | M4B (1967) | M5A (1967–1968) | M7A (1967–1969) | M7C (1969–1971) | M9A (1969) 1970s: M14A (1970–1971) | M7D (1970) | M14D (1970) | M19A (1971–1973) | M19C (1972–1973) | M23 (1974–1978) | M26 (1977–1979) | M28 (1979) | M29 (1979–1981) 1980s: M30 (1980) | M29F (1981) | MP4 (MP4/1) (1981) | MP4/1B (1982) | MP4/1C (E, 1983) | MP4/2 (1984) | MP4/2B (1985) | MP4/2C (1986) | MP4/3 (1987) | MP4/4 (1988) | MP4/5 (1989) 1990s: MP4/5B (1990) | MP4/6 (1991) | MP4/6B (1992) | MP4/7A (1992) | MP4/8 (1993) | MP4/9 (1994) | MP4/10 (B, C, 1995) | MP4/11 (B, 1996) | MP4-12 (1997) | MP4-13 (1998) | MP4-14 (1999) 2000s: MP4-15 (2000) | MP4-16 (2001) | MP4-17 (2002) | MP4-17D (2003) | MP4-18 (test car) | MP4-19 (B, 2004) | MP4-20 (2005) | MP4-21 (2006) | MP4-22 (2007) |
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