The McLaren M23 is a single-seater designed by Gordon Coppuck with the help of the young John Barnard and Ray Stokoe. It was developed based on the M16 car, originally conceived for IndyCar, and was inspired by the Lotus 72, from which it borrowed much of its technical layout. The engine is also the same: the legendary Ford Cosworth DFV V8 with a displacement of 2993 cc, but it was prepared by "Nicholson Engines," which tuned the Anglo-American V8 to produce 490 hp. The engine was paired with the Hewland FG400 gearbox, and the total weight of the car was 575 kg.
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| McLaren M23 '75, Jochen Mass Montjuïc, Spanish GP 1975 |
Despite its angular lines, the M23 had excellent aerodynamic efficiency, featuring its classic arrow-shaped profile. During the 1975 season, the team experimented with different bodywork configurations, including various nose profiles and sidepods that widened in front of the rear wheels, where the oil and water radiators were housed. Additionally, a sort of side skirt appeared to seal the car's underside to the track—a precursor to ground-effect technology, which was first fully realized on the Lotus 78.
McLaren M23 '75, Emerson Fittipaldi
Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1975
With a remarkable 14 units built, a record for its time, the M23 demonstrated exceptional longevity. With various updates, it remained in use for five seasons, from 1973 to 1977, by the factory McLaren International team and continued in 1978 with three private teams: the Liggett Group BS Fabrication, with drivers Brett Lunger and Nelson Piquet; Centro Asegurador F1, driven by Emilio de Villota; and Melchester Racing, with Tony Trimmer. Always equipped with American Goodyear tires, the M23 participated in 83 Grands Prix and became one of the most successful F1 cars of all time, securing 16 victories in World Championship races and four wins in non-championship events. With the McLaren M23, in 1974, the Woking-based team from Surrey, England, won its first Constructors' Championship, as well as the Drivers' Championship with Brazilian driver Emerson Fittipaldi.
McLaren M23 '75, Emerson Fittipaldi
Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1975
For the 1975 season, World Champion Fittipaldi was joined by German driver Jochen Mass, and additional developments were introduced to the car, the most notable being the six-speed gearbox—a major innovation for the time. This improvement, combined with the Nicholson-tuned engine, which produced about 20 hp more than other Ford Cosworth-powered cars, allowed Fittipaldi to battle Ferrari's Niki Lauda for the title throughout the season, ultimately finishing as the runner-up in the championship. Throughout 1975, McLaren tested several innovations that would later be implemented on the 1976 M23. During the season, Emerson Fittipaldi secured two victories, while Jochen Mass won once. No pole positions were achieved, but the drivers recorded two fastest laps in races. The M23 scored 65 championship points, earning McLaren third place in the Constructors' Championship.
McLaren M23 '75 Lucky Strike Racing, Dave Charlton
Kyalami, South African GP 1975
In the two previous seasons, the satellite team Yardley-McLaren had used two "official" M23s with the same specifications as those fielded by the McLaren International team. However, in 1975, only the two factory cars were entered into the championship. Nonetheless, for the South African Grand Prix, a third M23 was entered by the local team Scribante Lucky Strike Racing, with South African driver Dave Charlton at the wheel.
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