McLaren
MP4/1 (1981)

Why it matters

The MP4/1 was Formula 1's first carbon-fibre car, built for McLaren's 1981 season under John Barnard. Its MP4 name began a designation that McLaren used for its cars from that year.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• McLaren MP4/1 (1981) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: David Merrett from Daventry, England · CC BY 2.0
• McLaren MP4/1 (1981) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Curt Smith from Bellevue, WA, USA · CC BY 2.0
• McLaren MP4/1 (1981) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Hullian111 · CC BY-SA 4.0

History

The MP4 first ran at a test session at Silverstone on 5 March 1981. It was not taken to Brazil because wet weather in England had stopped further tests. Its race debut came in Argentina on 12 April.

The MP4 label dates from 1981, when Ron Dennis acquired the team alongside Marlboro. The name stood for Marlboro Project Four.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   John Barnard 'Perfect car' extract: Racing the carbon car Level C Motor Sport Magazine

   • a Cosworth engine complete with a gearbox casting
   • F1's first carbon car
   • fitting the MP4 with glass-fibre bodywork

   Accessed 2026-11-13