Complete Description
- Third in the 2002 Brazilian GP with David Coulthard
- Designed by Adrian Newey, 850bhp Mercedes V10 engine
- Single private ownership
- Excellent condition, close to being returned to running rder
In 2002, McLaren introduced the MP4-17. Like its predecessors, it was designed by Adrian Newey, Mike Coughlan, Neil Oatley and Peter Prodromou, while Mario Illien was responsible for the Mercedes-Ilmor engine. There was a change too in the line-up of drivers: Mika Häkkinen retired and was replaced by his fellow Finn Kimi Räikkönen. The car was quick, but was up against tough competition, and Coulthard’s win at Monaco was the only one that season, a situation redeemed by the four podiums achieved by Räikkönen, who had an excellent first season. McLaren finished third in the Championship, behind Ferrari and Williams.
For the 2003 season, McLaren decided to continue development of the MP4-17, as the MP4-18 was not yet ready. The new version would be the MP4-17D. At the same time, there were some changes to McLaren’s sponsors: Deutsche Telekom left, while Computer Associates (bringing its expertise in electronics), Bloomberg and Sonax arrived. Tests over the winter showed that the car was making good progress; Coulthard and Räikkönen continued as the team’s drivers, with the latter gradually taking the upper hand, thanks to his good results. Two test drivers also contributed to development of the car: Alexander Wurz and Pedro de la Rosa.
The start of the season was very promising and the MP4-17D won the first two Grands Prix, in Australia (Coulthard) and Malaysia (Räikkönen). These would be the team’s only victories in 2003, but the car proved genuinely reliable and consistent, enabling Räikkönen to claim seven second places and finish as runner-up in the World Championship, just two points behind the unassailable Schumacher. The team finished third, also two points behind Williams ...
The car we are offering for sale took part in the 2002 and 2003 seasons. In 2002, in MP4-17A guise, it competed in the first three Grands Prix of the season, driven by Coulthard. In Australia (Melbourne), it had to retire, as it did in Malaysia (Sepang), when Coulthard was in fourth place, but the Scottish driver achieved an excellent third place in Brazil (Interlagos). It was then used as a reserve car at San Marino and Monaco, where it began the qualifying sessions before suffering a lubrication problem. A document issued by the factory and signed by Zac Brown, attesting to its racing history, accompanies the car.
In addition, it took part in numerous test sessions before being modified to MP4-17D specification for the 2003 season. In this spec, it again took part in several test sessions throughout the year.
At the end of its racing career, the car was preserved in its original condition by the McLaren team and, exceptionally, its sole private owner, a French gentleman driver, acquired the car in 2020 at the McLaren headquarters. Elegantly streamlined, with a carbon-fibre shell, a Mercedes V10 FO110M engine (3 litres, approx. 850bhp at 18,500rpm), built by Ilmor, and a semi-automatic seven-speed McLaren gearbox, it sports the team’s handsome black and silver livery.
A specialist workshop carried out some work on the car, as well as a full inspection, the report from which will be supplied before the auction. At the conclusion of the report, it was established that the engine had covered only 321 km. The inspection showed the car to be almost complete, missing only its electronics units and dash display. The missing electronics parts will be supplied and paid for by the vendor. The specialized workshop can assist with the car’s finalization and restore it to working condition within controlled timeframes.
It represents a racing car designed by one of the best teams in Formula 1, one of the few that succeeded in standing up against Ferrari during the years in which the Italian team was dominant. It obtained a superb third place in a Grand Prix, in the skilled hands of David Coulthard, as well as taking part in many test sessions with top-level drivers. It therefore offers a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most outstanding racing single-seaters of its day, which can be driven in some historic races or will be an ideal car to present at a wide range of shows and concours.
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Racing history
2002
- 3 March, Australian GP (Melbourne): Coulthard, DNF (4th in qualifying)
- 17 March, Malaysian GP (Sepang): Coulthard, DNF (6th in qualifying)
- 31 March, Brazilian GP (Interlagos): Coulthard, 3rd (4th in qualifying)
Test sessions
February: Barcelona, Coulthard; Valencia, Räikkönen; Silverstone. April: Mugello, Alesi; Valencia, Wurz. May: Paul Ricard, Coulthard; Silverstone, Räikkönen. June: Barcelona, Wurz. July: Paul Ricard, Wurz; Silverstone, Turner. September: Silverstone, Räikkönen; Barcelona, Wurz. October: Barcelona, Turner. November: Valencia, Wurz. December; Barcelona, Wurz; Jerez, Räikkönen.
2003
Test sessions
January: Barcelona, Wurz; Valencia, Räikkönen; Valencia, Wurz. February: Paul Ricard, Coulthard; Valencia, Coulthard; Jerez, Coulthard. March: Jerez, Wurz; Barcelona, De la Rosa. April: Paul Ricard, De la Rosa; Mugello, Räikkönen. May: Paul Ricard, Coulthard; Paul Ricard, De la Rosa. June: Jerez, De la Rosa. July: Barcelona, Räikkönen. September: Monza, Wurz; Barcelona, Coulthard. November: Valencia, Wurz. December: Valencia, Wurz; Jerez, De la Rosa.
This lot is sold VAT excluded. The VAT can be refund to any European registered company in car business which acquired it at auction, providing it holds a VAT European registration number and it can prove the lot has been transported to his country of residence. The VAT will be reimbursed to any buyer residing outside the EU, providing he can give evidence of this exportation, such as export papers duly signed and cleared by the French customs or from any other country member of the EU.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ONLY DESCRIPTION TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT FOR THIS LOT IS THAT IN OUR ONLINE CATALOGUE AND NOT THAT IN THE PRINTED CATALOGUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AMENDED.
