First Light - The story behind the McLaren MP4/1

35 years ago McLaren built the world’s first carbon fibre Formula 1™ car. It revolutionised the sport, and since then McLaren has not built a racing car or road car without a carbon chassis. We meet the designer of the MP4/1, John Barnard.

[@katout75]

Absolutely brilliant F1 designer/engineer. Created the first F1 carbon chassis, semi-automatic gearbox, and wasp tail for ground effects. One of the greats along with Chapman, Newley, Head, Murray,...

[@pali1H]

More of these videos please. Just awesome

[@maxwellspeedwell2585]

Fascinating car, but even more fascinating is that 18 years previous (1962) Jim Hall, and Hap Sharp Built the Chaparral 2 a mid engine Can Am car (Chaparral 1 was a front engine car) and the chassis, like the MP4/1 was FRP.

[@andresmanriquez5966]

as a mechanical engineering student, I'd love to work at McLaren, I totally understand their passion and the way they do things, keep it on guys, you're amazing

[@ThatRosco458]

+Andrés Manríquez I'm a MechE myself and I totally agree!

[@sunnohh]

Im all about anti smoking and all but don’t fuck with the most classic livery of all time.

[@StuartGarlick]

Why is John Barnard's door open, with a blizzard outside, and yet there is no wind blowing into the house and seemingly no loss of warmth from the living room? Typical Barnard, wowing people with an aesthetic touch at the expense of comfort and performance...

[@mikosoft]

You call that blizzard? That's normal light snow.

[@scottr7550]

I was thinking "door open in the snow...Hmm he must be a cool guy"

[@datzed]

This was just such a good story. McLaren please make more of these videos. These stories deserve to be known.

[@tkhayes83]

Awesome video, more of this please.... very interesting and informative...

[@scudonepercenter]

Awesome! More stories like this please!

[@MrAlexzxlex]

Fantastic video! I could listen to this man forever....

[@monteiro5306]

congratulations John! You made history ! I was there and saw the diference !

[@jeffkunkler9299]

love the no nonsense story telling. well done sir!

[@chrisobim9106]

Mclaren Innovation. Thats what we need next year. Bring it on!

[@Rottensteam]

chris obim Ron Dennis was very keen about developing graphite and use it for F1. Ron is now out of McLaren, but I think research in it will continue.

[@SrikarKc]

Well, next year is gonna be the charm for them! (Fingers crossed)

[@theStigitaliancousin]

Superb video. Thanks for sharing

[@Mr_Frazza]

Great video, a real insight into the design process

[@nickhull83]

Great Video! More like this PLEASE!

[@ilcommendatore4752]

After thinking all these info i have one thing to say.......THANK YOU!!... MY RESPECT AND APRECIATION... I MISS RON.

[@cvtt3194]

Great video, it's crazy to think that the new road cars outperform the MP4/1 in every way

[@surangafernandoX]

Thanks Sir for the awesome idea that changed the world for the better

[@polaxis842]

I like how you clearly see the 2016 Swiss Highway road task disk on the front screen at 9:48 :-)

[@alainbelanger752]

That was great idea JB

[@bradfocl]

I've seen that car at a vintage F1 event and compared to other cars of similar vintage like the Williams and Brabham the composite monocoque is such a huge innovation. Most other things about the car were pretty standard for the time. Suspension was just lever arm wishbones (not yet pushrods), DFV engine with a Hewland gearbox. But the carbon moncoque is way cleaner with fewer joints and parts as he points out although the construction was very much "black aluminum" (i.e. made from composite but still built like it was aluminum)

[@ninoschier9528]

+bradfocl Thats the cool thing about this car. Its out of carbon, but the rest is primitive (standard).

[@MikeForsythe]

This is amazing stuff

[@scottr7550]

7:00 pretty cool to feel the historic step up in safety from one of the key players

[@akarilotube]

Incredible innovation.

[@garymcaleer6112]

Simply superb.

[@hermanjohnson9180]

Cool video

[@john_p]

Brilliant .. love it

[@ThePerpetualStudent]

More of this!

[@karlbassett8485]

John is a hugely talented guy and that car, the first carbon chassis MP4/1, was fantastic, but he doesn't mention that Lotus started on a carbon fibre chassis first. The 86 and 88 had composite chassis but were delayed due to rule changes, the 86 and 88 never raced and was banned. The composite chassis Lotus 91 raced from the start of the 1982 season. Lotus is now long gone, but hopefully Honda will guild a great engine, as they have done many times in the past, and McLaren will be back at the front.

[@modelyf1947]

Lotus type 86 had an alluminium chassis from the type 81. Lotus 88 with a carbon fibre chassis debuted together with a MP4/1 at Long Beach GP 1981 in a practice..

[@ulysse21]

Well, Barnard sayed here it was HIS idea, which I doubt. If someons would've had a genius idea 1st back then in F1, it wouldn't have been anyone but Chapman. However, I believe Barnard is also a top engineer, but 2 steps behind Colin and Murray. In the US they had Jim Hall. Actually, the latter was far ahead of everyone in the world. If he had raced in F1, he'd have been the top engineer together with, or even ahead of, Chapman

[@nathancollins4304]

Lotus was the first to do the carbon fibre monocoque, they used Kevlar as well for more strength. Lotus had their car on track 2 weeks before McLaren and they made it in house.

[@dannycrd]

MP4/1 debuted at Argentina GP first April 12, 1981 BEFORE Lotus kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGmof3xug52hhZo

[@mark4lev]

@@nathancollins4304 No one in F1 gives anyone else credit. The FW07 was a close copy of the lotus 79, but you won’t hear anyone at Williams admit that. Lotus definitely used composites before anyone else.

[@yellow6ird]

What a man, what a legacy. Legend.

[@alexlam24]

Your team has saved so many lives

[@marguskiis7711]

The invention has saved so many lives.

[@humanbeing9079]

last year McLaren said that the McLaren MP4-30 will make history, and they did ! they managed to had the worst season for 35 years after Honda reunion, that's history

[@dimitarvenedikov]

A bit late, but that's what you get when you replace Ron Dennis with Zak Brown.

[@Jack-hl2zq]

@@dimitarvenedikov changing next year

[@Skydrag.V60]

Great story

[@muddshshshark]

We were road-racing super-bikes at the time carbon fibre came out and we dreamed of using it but it was so expensive, `1981 or so, we were still using modified street bikes at the time, 250gp 750 Super and 1000super

[@eulusgarza5765]

The Carbon Monocoque is by far the most important innovation in motorsports it opened a whole new world. Unfortunately, drivers quality decreased also, now we have rappers, racketeers and smugglers behind the wheel. The ironman/civilized era just die when MP4/1 saved Watson in Monza.

[@anguruso]

Takeaway from this video, in 1981 they did not do crash testing. "Let's just see what happens when one of the drivers has a big crash"

[@chrisdavidson911]

www.formula1.com/en/championship/inside-f1/safety/history-of-F1-safety/1970s_and_1980s.html

[@linnet12dd]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4G9kJiLbdd7jbc

[@AdrianBelmonte96]

It wasn't too crazy given that one of the drivers was ANDREA DE CESARIS

[@thericher]

It's kind of sad we don't get these major revolutions in F1 car design any more.

[@davidgolfgti1]

I think that the whole hybrid technology, Kers, ers, and drs are pretty cool.

[@tooturbo]

+thericher The hybrid technology is a major revolution. More powerful engines using half the fuel, the advances in efficiency are ground breaking

[@thericher]

+TooTurbo It's not really the same thing though. The new engines and recovery systems were a rule change all teams had to do, and I assume have common parts. This was McLaren going out there with their own thing, pushing the limits.

[@9Faiz7]

Well, blown diffuser? Sadly they banned that

[@9Faiz7]

There's just to many restrictions for teams to revolutionise Formula 1

[@henrymorgan3982]

Stuff of legend.

[@Giovorraro]

Where is the video location with mountain road? Chemin del Chatillon...but where, Switzerland? France?...Thanks a lot!

[@ulysse21]

I don't think he is stupid enough to chose to live and throw his money in France rather than to save it in Switzerland ;)

[@stuad70]

Well that was a great insight. What a humble engineer.

[@celticgodsoriginal]

+Stuart Hamilton It kills him(and every other Brit) to give credit to USA or Americans who invented and pioneered all this tech so John stop patting yourself on the back....credit belongs to Ron Dennis...

[@stuad70]

+Donal Callum Erm it doesn't kill me and I'm British. It's really interesting to find out about it. Sounds to me that the US had the balls to say yes to the request from the team. For that they deserve credit. I think this chap deserves credit for making the necessary calculations to prove the idea.

[@julianneale6128]

+Donal Callum I don't know what you mean, Carbon Fibre is a British invention. Are you trying to suggest that Carbon Fibre is an American invention because if you are, you're wrong!

[@julianneale6128]

+GoogleEqualsEvil how interesting, next you'll be telling everyone that Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, which we all know he didnt!

[@GoogleEqualsEvil]

+Julian Neale Your arrogant, xenophobic, and frankly, idiotic response, perfectly illustrates how correct the 1st and 2nd sentences of the 2nd paragraph in my previous comment truly are. The documented, verifiable historical record is available, and proves what I said is accurate. The very short version is: the USA invented Graphite / Carbon Fiber in the second half of the 1950's. They continued to work on the technology, but by the first half of the 1960's, the UK had made significant advancements that contributed greatly to the technology. By the second half of the 1960's, Japan had overtaken the UK's advantage, but by 1970, the USA came full circle, and again led the way. So much so, that the leading Japanese research company involved in Graphite / Carbon Fiber technology at the time (Toray Industries), signed a joint technology agreement with the original company that invented Graphite / Carbon Fiber, the USA company, Union Carbide. www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/carbonfibers.html Regarding the Light Bulb; every rational, sane person with the ability to do basic historical research knows that Thomas Edison absolutely, irrefutably invented the first practical, commercially viable, "Light Bulb". Only a complete imbecile, or someone hyper xenophobic / ultra arrogant (arrogance is the OPPOSITE of confidence...arrogance is born and bred from insecurity), or someone with an agenda, would dispute that. Of course, only someone of the same kind of mindset would deny that many other inventors, including other Americans (like Charles Brush, who invented carbon arc lighting systems that were used throughout the USA and Europe as street lights and commercial lights in the late 1800's) had advanced the fundamental technology that set the stage for Edison's breakthrough during the previous 75 years. Those inventors from numerous countries including the USA, Italy, the UK, Canada, etc are recognized and credited for advancing that fundamental technology, as they should be. That doesn't change the historical FACT that all of them ultimately failed to invent a viable "Light Bulb", where Edison succeeded. He and his team spent over two years testing 9,000 different materials to finally arrive at a viable solution for a filament that was cost effective to produce, and that would last long enough to be marketable. Give credit where credit is due.

[@BeMyWoman1]

The win by John Watson at Silverstone in 1981 in the McLaren MP4/1 put an end to a winless streak dating from 1977. That was 4 1/2 years.

[@seaswlf6246]

I love mclaren

[@ivorharden]

The fact that the CAA was impressed says it all.

[@TheYoshi463]

It's honestly quite ridiculous how short the front was at that time. No wonder there were so many crashes where the drivers got their legs smashed (e.g. Pironi at Hockenheim) in that era.

[@marks_sparks1]

Flewn true another 4 years to go before the penny dropped with FIA folliwing Lafitte crash at Brands Hatch

[@modelyf1947]

The first together with a Lotus 88, both cars debuted at Long Beach GP 1981 in a practice..

[@TheHollaata]

*A Real PLEASURE to meet The 'Father' of the Carbon Fiber Monocoque* 🙌🎉👏 #HeDidItFirst

[@ronnycnc]

Genius!

[@BrutalTurtle]

why is the door open? it's snowing

[@kubhak]

Pls bring me more im starving

[@MyDiabolicoTwin]

Watching these historic pictures I thought how weird they didn't had a main sponsor these days...

[@greigsanderson]

Doesn't seem like it has ANY down force, compared to modern F1 cars. Still an icon and amazing invention.

[@TregTube]

Greiguci Wootchie I don’t think a any early 80’s F1 car with ground effect could ever be described as lacking downforce. Remember they were going around corners so fast that they had to ban ground effects after 1982. Mainly because suspension technology wasn’t developed enough to ensure a stable ride height and therefore grips levels due to body roll and pitch

[@johnbramwell756]

The underbody created huge amounts of downforce using “ground effect “. Regulations today mean the cars have to have flat undersides which negates ground effect.

[@TheMomotarosu18]

Why is the door open when its snowing? xD

[@Michelle_Schu-blacka]

The amount of innovation that has come out of McLaren factories... It's criminal for the team to be in the position it's in.

[@vulcanus9384]

Pretty sexy looking car. Lovely design.

[@JSoto11]

Does he have the door open while it is snowing?

[@patricklemire9278]

Don't smoke, never have smoked and I find the altering of historic photos to take Marlboro out to be appalling. Whitewashing history like this is something the politburo would do.

[@MarkoLomovic]

+Patrick Lemire That is retarded at best...

[@theant9821]

+Marko Lomovic he's right though

[@MarkoLomovic]

The ANT I agreed with him by saying that.

[@ulysse21]

However, all the pic here were taken in events and location where the Marlboro name was not displayed anyway

[@The_Curious_Cat]

Cigarette companies have been lying to us for decades, so they can fuck off.

[@brabius]

Being italian and being a Ferrari fan, welllll ... we don't have a great great great consideration of old John. But, maybe beacause he changed with years, maybe because at that time (80's and 90's) he was in a sort of twisted relationship with Maranello's men, I always thought he was kinda of a genius too much focused on himself. I instead realize now how easy going, funny and nice he is. Probably the marriage Barnard-Ferrari didn't bring much of success because of many factors, too many to write down now. But for sure, not only he brought carbon fiber in F1, but his Ferrari brought the semi-automatic gearshift with levers behind the steering. Oh, by the way, the project was studied long time before 1989 (by engineer Mauro Forghieri in 1977) and the idea of using levers behind the steering wheel, was from Piero Ferrari, son of Enzo. But, Barnard designed the CocaCola shaped Ferrari with that fantastic gearbox and levers we still use today.

[@larquefausse3623]

Plot twist at 9:30. You are now aware that you watched a 12min car ad.

[@Shadowboost]

didn't know the chassis was manufactured at Hercules

[@lordsuch5762]

McLaren did the tooling which dictated shape..Hercules did the carbon fibre part of the process.

[@Shadowboost]

lord such I didn't say they designed the chassis. I said they manufactured the chassis.

[@user-dp7jh6dl8x]

Ｆ１の長い歴史の中で最も偉大な一台。この車から近代のＦ１が始まったと言っても過言ではない！

[@Hostilenemy]

Carbon Composite Car Company. CCCC.

[@dool1002]

lol

[@scottdelong1]

CCCP Carbon Composite Cars for Performance. Comrade.

[@kapilbusawah7169]

Does Mclaren reply to their subs?

[@BugattiVeyronBugattiliker2]

They did but only once in an MP4/4 vid or something lol it's rare

[@McLarenAutomotiveTV]

+kapil busawah Hi, is there something that we can help you with?

[@FullmetalJun]

+McLaren Automotive Build an MP4-32 with the passion of all your team and devoted fans (McLaren fans are the best fans) for 2017 that will rule them all! 100% McLaren team forever!

[@MrAlexzxlex]

+kapil busawah Mclaren just said Hi. Consider your self Anointed!!

[@kapilbusawah7169]

McLaren Automotive yeah guys. Just wanted to know why is the 570s depreciating downstream like water off Niagara falls?

[@terrywestmorland3069]

Thats a Marlboro MP4 (Marlboro Project 4) Ford.... Choke on it

[@johnweibel811]

Where is mention of Hercules???? Believe chassis was built in Utah!!!!!!!

[@chrisdavidson911]

3:12

[@isaiasprestes]

Put the stickers back on this car! Do NOT destroy the history! Bastards!

[@michaelsleftfoot352]

Brilliant… white mans magic engineering genius

[@242tdryan]

if this guy says 'monocock' one more time.....

[@psk1w1]

Yes?

[@johnbramwell756]

How else would it be pronounced ? I thought that was the correct pronunciation . Yes ? No ?

[@The_Curious_Cat]

The reason the carbonfiber monocoque let go of the engine is because it´s not clingy like my ex-boyfriend. It just let the engine go and moved on with is life.

[@karelcizek2018]

second

[@al3x_k388]

First

[@Sirikazy]

shame F1 of today is dead.