McLaren's Executive Engineer John Barnard, along with Chief Designer Steve Nichols and Chief Engineer Alan Jenkins, after the massive effort in designing and developing the MP4 used in the 1981 season, slowed their pace and made only minor updates to the car for the 1982 season, entrusting the new McLaren MP4/1B to drivers John Watson and Niki Lauda.
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| McLAREN MP4/1B, Niki Lauda Brands Hatch, British GP 1982 |
The return to racing of the two-time World Champion Niki Lauda, along with the announcement of a partnership with TAG and Porsche to develop a proprietary turbo engine, led the Woking-based team, directed by Ron Dennis, to redirect most of its efforts toward the development of the car that would feature the new turbo power unit. For 1982, the MP4/1B, featuring a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, clean lines, and an especially sleek profile, was therefore simply refined in terms of setup and performance, thanks also to Lauda's exceptional ability in this kind of developmental work.
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| McLAREN MP4-1B, Niki Lauda Hockenheimring, German GP 1982 |
Significant fine-tuning was also carried out at John Nicholson’s Colnbrook workshops to boost the power of the Ford-Cosworth DFV V8 engines installed in the McLarens. The Nicholson DFV had larger pistons and valves than a standard Cosworth engine, enabling it to rev to about 11,500 rpm, producing approximately 510 hp and allowing the MP4/1B to match the top speed of turbo-powered cars. The Nicholson DFV also used different castings in the combustion chambers to reduce power loss due to friction, along with Mahle pistons instead of the standard Cosworth ones.
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| McLAREN MP4-1B, John Watson Zolder, Belgian GP 1982 |
The MP4/1B lived up to expectations, achieving 4 wins (two by Lauda and two by Watson), 2 second places, and 2 third places, as well as several other points finishes, bringing McLaren 69 points and securing the team second place in the Constructors' Championship behind Ferrari.
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| McLAREN MP4-1B, John Watson Detroit, USA East GP 1982 |
Both drivers also finished well in the Drivers' standings: Lauda ended up fifth with 30 points, and Watson remained in contention for the title until the final race, eventually finishing second, tied on 39 points with Pironi and just 5 points behind World Champion Keke Rosberg.
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