Inside McLaren: An Engineer's Story of Working in F1's Golden Era

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Today we are lucky to have Matthew Jeffreys sit down and share his memories of working at McLaren Formula 1 from the late 1970s until the early 2000s. In a period that featured almost all of McLaren's F1 championships, Matthew is uniquely positioned to tell the often untold story of many different designers and how they did what they did.
Chapter Listing:
0:00 Introduction
2:15 First F1 Races
5:37 Turning a Summer Job into a Career
8:08 McLaren Racing becomes McLaren International
9:39 John Barnard
13:14 The Staff in 1983
15:05 Steve Nichols
18:35 The Ideal Team Size
20:51 The Disastrous Refuelling Rig
24:15 John's Carbon Car
26:04 The Porsche TAG Turbo Engine
28:12 Crash Testing
31:20 MP4/2B
33:35 Barnard Leaves
36:41 Neil Oatley and Gordon Murray
40:50 MP4/3
42:43 The MP4/4 and Ayrton Senna
45:26 Honda V6 Turbo
47:18 Different Schools of Thought
49:07 Memories of Ayrton Senna
54:18 Alain Prost
56:00 Once the Season Starts...
57:36 Steve Leaves, MP4/5 Design Begins
60:29 The Stress and Excitement of F1
61:36 The V12 MP4/6
66:07 MP4/7 and Honda Leaves
68:05 Ford Power and the MP4/8
72:41 1994
78:25 McLaren Stumbles
79:48 Adrian Newey Arrives
88:17 1998 - Return to Form
90:22 Adrian Goes Too Far
94:31 Summary
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[@JayEmmOnCars]

CarVertical: The History Checking Service Use this link or code "JAYEMM" for a discount! www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?b=1e4c9523&a=JayEmm&voucher=jayemm&chan=jayemm

[@lesliejames9404]

Dear Jay, You are literally preserving Formula 1 history. These videos are absolute gold. Thank you, seems insufficient for your efforts.

[@AndyRRR0791]

It's James, or Mr Martin to you. Yes, little Jimmy is doing a great job knocking up these things. It's easier to overlook the stilted editing style when there's a great yarn supporting it.

[@sklyrovka]

Yeah, it's basically a public service at this point. He knows these videos will never break even with the hours he'll have to sink into them. Thank you!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

They're a pleasure

[@geraint8989]

Your excellent vid of Steve Nichols countering Gordon Murray’s version of events - including *that* McLaren letter from the 90s - was a real eye-opener.

[@dellhell8842]

Excellent Jay. Let the man talk. Wish more interviews were like this.

[@DavidVerch]

Yes, so many interviewers interrupt. All of these are just the guys thinking and telling the interesting stories.

[@ihsanjayadi88]

Your feature length F1 videos are my favorites. Lots of people can make car reviews, but very few or even none can make this deep interviews into the fascinating world of F1 history.

[@cervezagratuita2253]

This HAS to stay a tradition! What a truly fantastic video!

[@theleakypost]

After watching the MP4/4 video last year, I contacted Matthew and I am now the proud owner of two prints of my favourite F1 cars, the aforementioned MP4/4 and the Jordan 191. They have pride of place on the walls of my office. Matthew was an absolute pleasure to deal with. I can highly recommend them to any F1 enthusiast.

[@mikewa2]

Jay, this is a fantastic insight as to working in ‘silo’ is about. All companies need to get staff talking to each other. You only improve if you keep on talking.!! The pub reference was so spot on, more problems sorted out in the pub than on the shop floor, so so true! Silo work in is so 20th century. My wife recently had to ‘hot desk’ and this brought about so much new initiatives and undid previous misconceptions. Management of staff and span of reporting needs to be reviewed. So many companies not managed in smart and clever ways. Ai will help but only if the User knows how to use it!

[@madscimedia]

Mr Jeffreys’ art prints are extremely beautiful! Highly recommend buying one.

[@andrewsmith-jf6ou]

Jay, you bagged an exclusive bit of history. Well done Andy.

[@MWPompert]

This is an absolute historical goldmine, thanks so much to you for building up this documentary with key McLaren personnel that helps put into perspective what had been some of my first memories of F1, Senna and Prost at McLaren, and how the team behind the scenes was operating. Bravo!

[@gilvansouza]

OMG this is gold. The work experience anecdote with Prost and Senna was hilarious. What a great interview!

[@alexmo1176]

This is definitely more interesting content than the usual look at drivers, their teams and the hoopla surrounding F1. This is the real story behind F1 and how it can exist today. These men and their talents are the real stars of F1 racing!

[@andrewwhittaker4097]

The mp4/6 is my favourite design of the early 90's period plus that yellow helmet thanks Jay

[@stephencurry8552]

Awesome. I have re-watched the Video with Mr. Nichols as there is so much detail to absorb.

[@oneeleven9832]

Thought I’d watch half an hour before starting my day…couldn’t turn it off now im late for everything 🤦‍♂️..what a riveting interview 👏👏 & expertly put together 👍

[@ianmargetts9163]

Dude, that was like a great book. You want to do something else, but you can't put it down until you've got to the end! What an interesting insight into the f1 of yesteryear..

[@ernied3123]

Thanks James for another awesome long form interview with such a legend. Cheers.

[@MatthewJeffreys-zc9eb]

Just one cog in a great machine 😊

[@jackytwix]

Absolutely crackng insight into one of the best eras of F1. I could listen/watch this stuff for ever and still not get bored of it. Do remember hearing a story about Williams in what must of been 1984 looking into the Crash test regulatuions for 1985. Instead of building a drop rig tower like Matthew designed, they came up with a little less high-tech solution. Williams borrowed a long ladder from a local scaffolding firm. Pulled a spare chassis up on a rope onto the roof of the Williams factory and dropped it off the side of the building !!!!! Similar to Mclaren it didnt fare well as at the time the FW09 Chassis was still built in more 'traditonal ' methods of honeycomb aluminium with carbon fibre strengthners. By the time it had come to rest on the floor the entire monocoque was less than 14 iches in length!! Thats when Williams realised they had to build a full carbon fibre chassis car.

[@09juliancarr]

Matt is a fantastic guy and I now have just received two of his prints… they are fantastic and of the highest quality. Cannot recommend them highly enough!

[@wharris123184]

This is an early Christmas gift! 🎄

[@jn904]

Exceptional. You and Davide Cironi are the Santa Claus of the Motorsport History on YT. 👏

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I love Davide's stuff!

[@kyronrc]

Jay, I’d like to thank you for this. Even though these videos aren’t popular compared to other type of videos, you still put the hassle and deliver it. Amazing work my friend ✌🏻️

[@AntoniusTyas]

James' Christmas Specials are getting better, it seems. An absolute gem for me as an F1 fan

[@jesseshaffer6105]

I wish I could like this about 100,000 times. These stories are invaluable.

[@arijyva790]

Half way thru and I can state already one of the Best interviews of the century.

[@blackdoublezero]

what a nice man & with a pleasing lack of ego

[@MatthewJeffreys-zc9eb]

😊

[@andybils6141]

Wow Jay! and thanks for the amazing work you do 👍🏻

[@RacingWithChuck27]

This is a perfect example of being at the right place at the right time.

[@1919champ]

Thank you for doing this. Terrific stuff.

[@pierregibello7457]

Masterfully produced video. Thanks for capturing a page of F1 engineering history.

[@wadehampton4499]

A truly great recollection of a wonderful period in F1 and at McLaren. So much is owed to the drive, vision and quest for perfection of Ron Dennis. I cannot recall anyone who has done so much for British industry, technology and motor sport who has not then been honoured with, at the very least, a KCMG. Why is he not Sir Ron Dennis ?

[@markdavis2475]

Absolutely fascinating! Thanks for this priceless content!

[@grantsnell6782]

These videos are an example of KZbin at its best!

[@jamesstanley7263]

The MP4/6 is perfection in every way

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

What a great video - thank you Mr. Jeffreys!

[@MatthewJeffreys-zc9eb]

Thank you!

[@hernanhernandez3861]

This was fantastic. Love to attend the reunion event.

[@superfast30]

Absolutely amazing. Thank you for this!

[@yanceehardy]

That was exceptional. Thank you so much. Matthew Jeffereys has an incredible history. Hearing him recount some of it is absolutely phenomenal. Again thank you.

[@MatthewJeffreys-zc9eb]

Thank you Yancee

[@DavidVerch]

These are awesome interviews, you just let them talk and tell the fascinating stories. Please do more of these.

[@DIYPrecisionTool]

Spectacularly done!! Thank you!

[@Santoshlv426]

Fantastic video and interview. It's not often that one can listed to what is a lecture and someone recontouring their lives for 80-90mins but if it's clear, concise, correct and interesting and conveyed with alacrity it's thoroughly engaging. I found both the engineering aspects and F1 history enjoyable. We need more of these videos and I would like to see the development of the Rothmans Williams FW18 ! which Damon Hill drove to victory in 1996.

[@fredarvemonsen9805]

oh.. it's so lovely to listen to this history .! Thank you!🙏🏁

[@paulleggett9735]

Bloody brilliant! Thanks for making it.

[@rhodaborrocks1654]

That was brilliant, thank you so much for this !!

[@londonman8688]

what a gentleman

[@ivanjulian2532]

What a gem of a video. I can't thank you enough for making it.

[@sambailey7740]

shout out to my old man Ray Wilmott who was one of them mechanics who work with them legends

[@GoBrosb]

This is fantastic; thanks to you and Matthew for putting the effort in to create this hugely engaging video. It makes the ownership of my MP4-4 print from Matthew (purchased with your code) even more special. Bravo!

[@jonbeno9926]

An incredible story, loved every minute. Please do more of these!

[@StephenLee529]

So glad that you got to document this…

[@christinalloyd9566]

Nice video. Thanks for that. I was involved in F1 later than when Matthew started. I had the opportunity to go into F1 in the late 80s but it didn't fit in with my lifestyle then. I totally agree with him that over the years in F1 things have become a lot more specialised for engineers which is a real shame and probably to the detriment of the teams. I was lucky in my time as an engineer in F1 to be involved in engines, transmissions, suspension, wind tunnel architecture and various other bits too which made life very interesting and I'm grateful to have had that opportunity.

[@JeLifeCoach]

His praise of Newey is incredible and compelling.

[@parassahai]

Thanks for sharing such incredible interviews.. love from India. Having watched these guys faintly in my childhood, it’s great to now understand and hear them about their lives. Wish if we can ever meet them some day

[@stephenwall9036]

I'm loving these historical in depth interviews you're doing Jay!

[@gr0wler147]

Really loved the effort to bring and reveal the history here.

[@crimsonwolf0428]

Amazing content James! Great stories from Matthew Jeffreys!

[@LaurieButt]

Thanks for this video, it's fantastic. Really in depth interview, I just loved it ! :)

[@DugTheDog]

Fantastic series! So happy this has become an ongoing theme, cheers! :D

[@nicktheengineer5976]

Absolutely fantastic! Thank you so much for this

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Wow! Another unexpected McLaren Easter Egg (at Christmas!) Thanks James, great video and Matthew is fascinating to listen to. 👍🏻10/10

[@MartinBaldock]

Thankyou so much for this, truly fascinating stuff!

[@GDH1981]

Looking forward to watching this later. Big fan of these videos

[@michaelrodgers994]

Great interview really really interesting behind the scenes stories 👍👍

[@timakimat]

This is amazing stuff, thanks.

[@johnmorrison27]

Brilliant F1 content as always 👍👍

[@craigmclaughlin7870]

Please more content like this and less car reviews… this is an important niche you are serving keep up the great work!

[@rollotomassi8251]

This is oral history and it lives on The internet forever Briljant work!

[@alfabethev2.074]

Lovely story ! Tnx!

[@simes205]

Fab. I have one of Matthews prints of the mp4/4 signed by Alain Prost……it’s stunning and you wouldn’t be disappointed.

[@MatthewJeffreys-zc9eb]

😊

[@andreasd6857]

wow this was fascinating hearing from Matthew as an insider, thank you 👍👍

[@johnmull59]

Excellent, thank you.

[@user-nr6zx8bc2y]

Absolutely fascinating insight that I could have listened to for many more hours … Mr Jeffrey’s comes across as a thoroughly decent guy without a bad word said of anybody … He is obviously a fan of his former colleague Steve Nichols but some comments on Gordon Murray’s working methods and style would have offered a further insightful view of McLaren at this time in my opinion. Best video I’ve seen in quite some time, thank you

[@MatthewJeffreys-zc9eb]

Thank you!

[@damjanule9083]

Looks like Christmas came early! Thank you Jay!

[@truebluemiata]

Bravo James! What a great piece of automotive history, and told by such a down to earth guy. Thank you.

[@Fmontes]

Wonderful - thank you for this. I fell in love with F1 in 1983, when I caught a broadcast of the Belgian GP (Spa) on ESPN with horrible audio quality and Jackie Stewart broadcasting. Up until a few years ago, I had adored the sport. It's definitely changed for the worse, but glad I got to grow up a fan during the "Golden Age."

[@87yugo74]

Thank you for sharing

[@shitoryu8]

Absolutely fascinating 👏

[@PaulinhoThompson]

Thank you kind sir, that was beautiful.

[@DuncanCunningham]

Excellent. If you can do more with McLaren. Or maybe other teams. David Brown, engineer for Williams back in the day would be great. I love what you’ve done here. Interview technique like Mario Muth. It’s nice to just hear the person you’ve found. Less jarring, you get used to them and it’s relaxing too. Jay, great work. I know this took a lot of effort, time and patience.

[@simon8723]

How did I miss this? What a gem! Would have been interesting to hear how Mansell managed his comeback at McLaren- albeit short lived.

[@markwilliams9318]

Brilliant interview...what about John Barnard next...😊

[@Koziolrh]

Good stuff

[@pauly1605]

Awesome!

[@JJ-zg1hh]

Hit "like" before even watching this. No brainer.

[@gluca069just___it9]

The semi automatic transmission was a Mauro Forghieri invention. Villeneuve did not like to have it on the car and therefore was parked until Barnard found it at Ferrari F1 design office when he joined Ferrari and he gave it a go.

[@SpeedBrazilOficial]

THANKS ❤

[@biastv1234]

Fantastic

[@englishmaninfrance661]

I had a 1973 Davrian MK5 . This was a fibreglass monocoque long before anybody else thought about mnocoque . Fantastic car , the roof line just came up to my waist I'm 6ft 3 but I lay down in this car and there was plenty of room Went round corners on rails

[@Cloxxki]

I hope the people who spent time at (or bearing the name) Williams will see these videos and realize that Jay is the man to speak to, to tell some stories. Jonathan did a good interview with Chris Harris recently, just to help sell a single car. There's a lot more where that came from. We don't have Sir Frank anymore, but many people who've worked and lived with him. Added to the engineering side, there is the family side.

[@cjdelmonte6036]

Great Doc Jay! Do you get the go ahead for this from current McLaren? (Zak) or do these legends get a deserved free reign?

[@grahamhufton7715]

love these long-form autobios! pun intended

[@frictionstreaker]

How do i order the senna and Ron Dennis signed print

[@mrwinstonwolfe]

On a lighter note Mathew could be the only person to decline an opportunity to have dinner with Ayrton Senna lol

[@chrisandrews610]

What's crazy is you can argue automotive design peaked in this era, but we can't go back. I think we've sacrificed too much to the idea of ever increasing efficiency and tech.

[@todmarketstar8449]

Quite certain this has been previously suggested, but is there a Mega-Like option? Because one like is not enough! Thank you!!

[@tonyadeney1245]

nice drawings tick ----

[@Cloxxki]

All I can ask for, is more.

[@WretchedHobbit]

Wow

[@markscarborough1018]

Far more interesting than the entire F1 2023 season!

[@jamesrobert4106]

A pressurised vessel for refuelling and they didn't think about a vent pipe. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@MatthewJeffreys-zc9eb]

As I said, there was of course a vent pipe, the mechanic was just a fraction slow getting it on before the fuel went in!