11 replies to this topic

[POLAR]

Does anybody knows what it means the number "4" in all modern days Mclarens names?

Thanks in advance.

Polar

[Mickey]

M = McLaren, P4 = Project Four

[POLAR]

Sorry Mickey, but what is Project 4? An associated company, like TAG?

POlar

[AndyM]

Almost..... The M is for Marlboro, not McLaren: Marlboro Project 4.

[POLAR]

Marlboro????????!!!!!!!! They're not sponsored by Marlboro since 93 (94?).
Polar

[Mickey]

POLAR:

From http://www.atlasf1.c...ms/mclaren.html :

In 1980, Ron Dennis' company Project Four merged with Team McLaren Limited to form McLaren International.

[POLAR]

Thanks a lot Mickey Man!!!!

POlar

[Rob G]

Before Ron Dennis bought McLaren, McLaren's cars always went by M and a number, like M6, M8, M14, etc. This was started long before Marlboro ever sponsored them. When Dennis took over, the model designations changed to the formula we see today.

I wonder what Projects One, Two and Three were...

[BRG]

I recall this has been discussed in TNF in the past. The "projects" were the previous racing attempts by Ron Dennis although they were not named that way. The first was Team Rondel Racing, which built a F2 car in the 1970s. The second was an F1 effort intervention with Motul. I am not sure what the third project was (anyone?), but the "Project Four Racing" was another F2 team, sponsored by Marlboro, hence the connection. The merger/takeover was brokered by Marlboro who were increasingly frustrated by the original McLaren teams decline and brought in Ron Dennis to get them back up to speed, which he did with almost immediate rapidity and has sustained ever since. A good move by Marlboro, even though they later jumped ship to Ferrari!

[taran]

McLaren indeed used the M to designate their models, M1, M2 etc.

Ron Dennis started out as an mechanic (at Brabham if memory serves) and then started his own team(s). Project One, Project Two etc. His Project Four team was a succesful F3 team, sponsored by Marlboro.

McLaren's F1 campaign, also sponsored by Marlboro, had run out of steam by 1979 and at the strong urging of Philip Morris, the two teams merged to become McLaren International. Team directors were Teddy Mayer of McLaren and Ron Dennis of Project Four. Their first new car (1981) was to be the MP4 for McLaren Project 4.

[wati]

Originally posted by POLAR
Marlboro????????!!!!!!!! They're not sponsored by Marlboro since 93 (94?).
Polar

Since 1997.

Wattie

[POLAR]

Thanks Wattie.

Polar