<< Prev Page 2 of 2 With many other teams struggling to build or obtain a purpose-built three-litre engine, it seemed McLaren started the year with an advantage. Unfortunately, due to its Indy-roots, was unnecessarily heavy and bulky. At Monaco, Bruce McLaren was tenth fastest in qualifying, nearly three seconds off the pace of Jim Clark's two-litre engined Lotus. An oil leak ended McLaren's race after just nine laps.
McLaren realised drastic measures were needed and ahead of the next Grand Prix, a brand new engine was fitted. This time an even more exotic Serenissima V8 was fitted. Originally developed in Italy for use in a Serenissima sports car, this V8 was built from the outset as a three-litre unit. It featured twin overhead camshafts but only two valves per cylinder. Fitted with four Weber carburettors, it was not as powerful as the Ford V8 but at least it was more compact and lighter.
Unfortunately, the engine switch did not yield immediate results as McLaren managed to qualify no higher than 16th. To add insult to injury, an oil leak in practice prevented the M2B from starting the Belgian Grand Prix. A complete rebuild was required, which forced McLaren to skip the French Grand Prix. At the subsequent British Grand Prix, the car and engine survived long enough for Bruce McLaren to secure the very first point for the fledgling team by finishing sixth.
The success at Brands Hatch proved to be a fluke as the Serenissima V8 let McLaren down again ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. It was decided to revert back to the Ford engine and to forfeit the German and Italian Grands Prix in preparation for the final two rounds of the World Championship in North America. All these engine issues resulted in prospective team-mate and compatriot Chris Amon not making a single appearance for McLaren that year.
In a true race of attrition at Watkins Glen, Bruce McLaren crossed the line four laps down from the winner but in fifth to claim two more points. During the season finale in Mexico, the engine overheated despite much of the rear bodywork being cut away. This proved to be the final outing for the M2B in Formula 1. The Ford and Serenissima V8 engines were also not seen in F1 again. Although not particularly successful, the M2B holds the distinction as being the very first McLaren Formula 1 car. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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With many other teams struggling to build or obtain a purpose-built three-litre engine, it seemed McLaren started the year with an advantage. Unfortunately, due to its Indy-roots, was unnecessarily heavy and bulky. At Monaco, Bruce McLaren was tenth fastest in qualifying, nearly three seconds off the pace of Jim Clark's two-litre engined Lotus. An oil leak ended McLaren's race after just nine laps.