MP4-22 Technical Shift

Lore & Background

The chassis was designed by Paddy Lowe, Neil Oatley, Pat Fry, Mike Coughlan and Simon Lacey, with Andy Cowell and Markus Duesmann designing the bespoke Mercedes-Benz engine. The car was revealed in testing at Circuit de Valencia in Spain on 15 January 2007, and was driven by double World Champion Fernando Alonso and debutant Lewis Hamilton. The MP4-22 proved to be one of the most competitive cars of the season, with Alonso and Hamilton achieving four victories each. However, a fierce rivalry between the two drivers, combined with the 2007 Formula One espionage controversy, resulted in McLaren losing both championships to Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro.

Reader's Guide

The MP4-22 was the first McLaren Formula One car to run with Bridgestone tyres since the MP4-16 in 2001. On 17 January 2007, Fernando Alonso completed a shakedown test at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, setting the fastest lap time of 1:12.050. At testing in Catalunya on 1 May 2007, Pedro de la Rosa tested a new unique front wing design that made its racing debut at the Spanish Grand Prix. The MP4-22 was the last McLaren Formula One car to use traction control. The car scored eight victories and had no mechanical retirements in any race. McLaren led the Constructors' Championship until the Italian Grand Prix, after which they were excluded due to the espionage controversy.

Did You Know?

• The MP4-22 completed 27,150 kilometres in testing, with Fernando Alonso and Pedro de la Rosa each covering 8,277 km.
• The car's low downforce package was extremely competitive, and McLaren scored as many team points in the first half of 2007 as they had during the entire 2006 season.