McLaren MP4-19

The chassis was designed by Adrian Newey, Paddy Lowe, Pat Fry, Mike Coughlan and Peter Prodromou with Mario Illien designing the bespoke Ilmor engine. It was described as a "debugged version" of the ill-fated McLaren MP4-18, but it was not a successful car. The team suffered various problems concerning reliability at the beginning of the season, with eight retirements in the first seven races. Launch control and fully-automatic gearboxes were also banned for {{F1|2004}}, meaning the driver had to start using the paddle-shifters, and find the effective bite point and release the clutch manually, again. These electronic driver aids had been used by the team for the previous three seasons, since the 2001 Spanish Grand Prix.{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/atlasf1-10307/traction-control-to-stay-in-f1-in-2004|title=Traction Control to Stay in F1 in 2004 - F1 - Autosport|website=autosport.com|access-date=12 November 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://autoweek.com/news/a2093556/fia-makes-massive-changes-f1-several-technological-enhancements-banned/|title=FIA makes massive changes to F1; several technological enhancements banned|date=14 January 2003|website=Autoweek|access-date=12 November 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?id=1741040|title=Knutson: F1 shifting gears, literally|date=22 February 2004|website=ESPN.com|access-date=12 November 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://au.motorsport.com/f1/news/less-electronics-will-make-life-interesting/1109290/|title=Less electronics will make life interesting|website=au.motorsport.com|access-date=12 November 2020}}{{cite web| url-status = live| archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/L3ns5ZZ77PM| archive-date = 2021-12-05| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3ns5ZZ77PM| title = F1 2004 - Australian GP Highlights (Greek Subs) | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201121060527/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyj6Q0Ha74s| archive-date = 2020-11-21| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyj6Q0Ha74s| title = YouTube, a Google company | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

By mid-season, a new car, the MP4-19B, was required. This was an all-new car with a radically redesigned aerodynamic package. The results were immediately positive and gave the team hope of a better end to the season. Coulthard qualified third for the MP4-19B's first race at the French Grand Prix, followed by further points and podiums. The upgrade was finally justified when Räikkönen gave the team its only win of the season when he won the Belgian Grand Prix.

For most of the season, the MP4-19 featured a narrow, needle-like nose design first seen on the MP4-18. A wider, flatter nose was trialed at the Italian Grand Prix but was not retained.McMurray, Bob (2004-10-22). [https://web.archive.org/web/20150128174958/http://tvnz.co.nz/content/454720/411317/article.html "Ask Bob: Edition 18 2004"]. Television New Zealand. Archived from [http://tvnz.co.nz/content/454720/411317/article.html the original] on 2015-01-28. Retrieved 2015-01-24. This would later be carried over to the MP4-20 in {{F1|2005}}, whilst the needle nose would be reused on the MP4-21 in {{F1|2006}}.

The team eventually finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship with 69 points, the team's lowest finish of the McLaren-Mercedes partnership since the 1996 season.

File:Mclaren racing usgp 2004.jpg's MP4-19 into the garage during qualifying for the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis in 2004.]]

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McLaren went into the 2004 season with a subtle livery change. Renewed sponsors including Siemens, SAP and Schüco but most notably was Henkel, who owns Loctite replacing it.

McLaren used the 'West' logos, except at the Canadian, French and British Grands Prix.

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

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{{McLaren}}

{{F1 cars 2004}}

McLaren MP4 19

Category:2004 Formula One season cars