The advent of ground effect in Formula 1, developed by Lotus with their 78 model in the 1977 season and perfected the following year with the 79, suddenly rendered competing cars obsolete. This forced rivals to adopt the technical solutions of Colin Chapman's revolutionary single-seater. McLaren was no exception. For 1978, they had designed the M27, which failed to incorporate the new aerodynamic principles and was consequently abandoned. This led designer Gordon Coppuck to focus on a new project that would take the groundbreaking aerodynamic concept into account.
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| McLAREN M28, Patrick Tambay Buenos Aires, Argentinian GP 1979 |
Thus, the McLaren M28 was born, attempting to capitalize on the successful ideas of the Lotus 79. However, the Woking team was among the last to adopt this technology. To make up for lost ground, Coppuck designed a very narrow monocoque chassis, allowing for wider venturi channels. The chassis was built using a sandwich panel aluminum structure, which, although heavier than a single-sheet structure, promised better resistance to greater aerodynamic stresses.
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| McLAREN M28, John Watson Buenos Aires, Argentinian GP 1979 |
The power unit was the conventional three-liter Ford-Cosworth DFV V8, used as a structural component of the car and paired with a six-speed Hewland FGA gearbox. The bodywork featured large and elongated sidepods extending from the front to the rear, incorporating the water radiators, two of the three fuel tanks, and an inverted wing profile that, along with the skirts, created an underbody vacuum effect. The livery retained the classic white-and-red Marlboro sponsorship colors, but a special mention goes to the Löwenbräu-sponsored livery displayed at the USA West Grand Prix in Long Beach.
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| McLAREN M28, John Watson Long Beach, USA West GP 1979 |
The suspension system remained traditional and was not adequately adapted to the increased aerodynamic load, except for the fact that it was designed to optimize airflow under the chassis with minimal interference. At the rear, the dampers were placed on the sides of the gearbox housing, and the brakes were inboard. The M28 had a wheelbase of 2860 mm, but its high weight of 675 kg severely compromised its performance. The car debuted in the first race of the season in Argentina, where the newly signed John Watson secured a respectable third place. However, this result remained the best of the season, as the returning French driver Patrick Tambay struggled to adapt to the new car and often preferred the previous M26 model.
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| McLAREN M29, Patrick Tambay Zandvoort, Dutch GP 1979 |
Despite continuous updates, weight reductions, and aerodynamic revisions on the three constructed chassis, the M28 proved too crude and heavy to be competitive. It was quickly phased out in favor of a more refined and lighter version, the M29, which featured a cleaner design. The team finished the season with only 15 points and seventh place in the Constructors' Championship.
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