“Biggest Load of Garbage” – The former McLaren designer is causing controversy over the origins of MP4 / 4

As one of the most successful McLaren cars on the racetrack, the MP4 / 4 has been a dominant force in F1 history. However, with success there is often controversy. A question that has long been asked is: who designed the car? While most ascribing Steve Nichols, others argue that it was George Murray. The South African designer discusses the dilemma and presents his story.

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Murray began by saying, “This Steve Nichols chief designer thing is the biggest rubbish you’ve ever heard.” The McLaren-Honda machine had two extremely similar designs that supported it; such was the confusion. Murray adds, “I’m sick of people living on my reputation.”

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George Murray stated that he blamed Nichols for the monocoque on the front end. Murray took care of the rear end, aerodynamics and transmission with Dave North. He argues, “I took the Brabham BT55 drawings to McLaren, so the basic concept of the MP4 / 4 was the BT55 with the reclining position and a much better rear end … if you look at the two cars together, the BT55 and the MP4 / 4 , you will find that the design is almost identical. “

The manufacturer of the 1988 car remains a topic of discussion. Murray simply concludes, “I know I speak for all of us when I express our frustration that recognition doesn’t always get where it should be.”

Review of the McLaren machine

The McLaren model paired with the Honda V6 engine was a threat on the track. Driven by F1 legends Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, the car won 15 of 16 races. Although it was Senna’s title-winning car, it was the car that brought McLaren to the top of the drivers’ championship in 1988.

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Teams expected the ’88 season fuel capacity rule to lead to a transition year rather than a winning year. McLaren thought nothing of the sort as the team dominated the entire season. McLaren veteran Neil Trundle claimed that the MP4 / 4 is “the perfect package, still the lowest and most elegant-looking car on display in Team HQ”.

There is no doubt that the MP4 / 4 is McLaren F1’s best product. It is unfortunate that there is no straightforward answer to who designed the masterpiece. The car will certainly go down in history as an article of virtue.

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