McLaren recently united five-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner, John Watson, with the future of its carbon technology, the McLaren MP4-12C.

In 1981, McLaren introduced the carbon monocoque to Formula 1 in the sleek form of the MP4/1. The vehicle was driven to victory by Watson at Silverstonr. Later in the season, it also proved an effective safety cell, with Watson walking away from a dramatic high-speed crash.

On March 4, Watson was re-united with the MP4/1 at Silverstone and also drove the McLaren MP4-12C for the first time. Set to go on sale later this year, the MP4-12C will boast the world’s first one-piece moulded carbon fibre chassis. The MP4-12C accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and be able to hit a top speed of 330 km/h. 

Antony Sheriff, Managing Director at McLaren Automotive, said: ‘McLaren is a company driven by a passion to innovate. That passion manifests itself in advances in uses of materials and technologies in order to win motor races and produce ground breaking cars.’

‘But only now, almost 30 years to the day we introduced the first carbon chassis, are we seeing that technology being to transfer to more mainstream production.’

www.mclaren.com