McLaren MP4/6

The MP4/6 was the first McLaren to be powered by a Honda V12 engine, which Honda quote at {{Convert|735|PS|bhp kW|0|abbr=on}} at 13,500rpm. The car was tested by Berger in the off-season, but he was unimpressed with the initial version of the new engine, feeling it was underpowered compared to the {{Convert|690|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} V10 engine used in the 1990 car, the MP4/5B. When Senna returned for pre-season testing, he echoed Berger's concerns about the lack of power saying that he was expecting more from a V12 and that it really felt no more powerful than the old V10. However, McLaren and Honda, knuckled down to try to solve the engine's problems. McLaren's domination in the early part of the year was mainly due to the lack of reliability of the {{Convert|700|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} Renault V10-powered Williams FW14.{{Cite web|url=https://primotipo.com/2014/07/11/gerhard-berger-suzuka-1991-mclaren-mp46-honda-v12/|title=Gerhard Berger: Suzuka 1991: McLaren MP4/6 Honda V12…|date=11 July 2014|access-date=10 December 2019}}

By the latter half of the season, Honda (at Senna's urging) had managed to improve the engine to 780 hp (581.6 kW) @ 14,800 rpm.

The MP4/6 raced throughout {{F1|1991}} with a manual "H" pattern gearbox. A semi-automatic transmission was tested during the season (and shown at the Hungarian Grand Prix) the car equipped with it ran 4 laps on track in practice before Senna spun off; the car was then converted back to a manualESPN Speedworld: 1991 Hungarian Grand Prix but was never regarded as good enough to be used in a race; Ferrari and Williams were the only teams to use semi-automatic gearboxes during 1991. The MP4/6 would go down as the last Formula One car to win a World Championship using a manual transmission and the only F1 car to win the World Championship with a V12 engine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/346/McLaren-MP4-6-Honda.html|title=1991 McLaren MP4/6 Honda - Images, Specifications and Information|website=Ultimatecarpage.com|access-date=10 December 2019}}

Senna won the first four races of the season, in the United States, Brazil, San Marino and Monaco, before Williams and Nigel Mansell found their feet with the FW14, which dominated in mid-season. Consistent podium finishes on Senna's part throughout the year helped McLaren, but Senna insisted that Honda step up their engine development programme and demanded further improvements to the car before it was too late. Honda responded with updated versions of the V12 engine, while Oatley redesigned various features of the car, particularly the sidepods and wings. Senna won in Hungary and Belgium before clinching his third and final Drivers' Championship in Japan with second place behind Berger; he then won the final race in Australia to secure the team's fourth consecutive Constructors' Championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mclaren.com/racing/heritage/cars/1991-Formula-1-McLaren-MP4-6/|title=McLaren Racing - Heritage - MP4/6|website=www.mclaren.com|access-date=10 December 2019}}

McLaren continued with the MP4/6, upgraded to 'B' specification, for the first two races of {{f1|1992}}, Senna finishing third in South Africa. The MP4/6B was then replaced with the car designed for the 1992 season, the MP4/7A which had semi-automatic transmission and traction control, though three MP4/6Bs were brought to the 1992 Brazilian Grand Prix as spares.

The MP4/6 was considered by some to be the most competitive car in the Formula One field until Williams sorted the FW14, which was aerodynamically and technically more advanced. In all, the MP4/6 took eight Grand Prix wins and ten pole positions and scored 148 points. The car brought a close to McLaren's and Honda's domination of the sport, stretching back to the mid-1980s.

File:Ayrton Senna McLaren MP4-6 1991 United States.jpg|Ayrton Senna won the 1991 United States Grand Prix with the MP4/6.

File:Honda RA121E engine Honda Collection Hall.jpg|The Honda RA121E V12 engine.

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The McLaren MP4/6 is included as a classic car in Codemasters F1 2017, F1 2018, F1 2019 and F1 2020 video games. It is also featured in Automobilista 2 in the same pack of the McLaren MP4/7A and the McLaren MP4/8.

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position, results in italics indicate fastest lap)

* Only 9 points scored with the MP4/6B. Remaining points scored with MP4/7A.

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{{F1 cars 1991}}

{{F1 cars 1992}}

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McLaren MP4 06

Category:1992 Formula One season cars

Category:Formula One championship–winning cars