The McLaren M30 is a Formula One racing car built and run by McLaren for part of the 1980 Formula One season. It was a one-off car, primarily driven by Alain Prost. The purpose of the M30 was to further capitalize on ground-effect design, taking over from the McLaren M29 which was perceived as obsolete.

McLaren M30
The unique McLaren M30.
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMcLaren
Designer(s)Gordon Coppuck
PredecessorMcLaren M29
SuccessorMcLaren MP4/1
Technical specifications
ChassisAluminium monocoque
EngineFord-Cosworth DFV, 2993cc V8, naturally aspirated, mid-engined, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionMcLaren / Hewland FG 400 5-speed manual
Competition history
Notable entrantsMarlboro Team McLaren
Notable drivers8. France Alain Prost
Debut1980 Dutch Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
4000

The one and only M30 was damaged in an accident in practice for the 1980 United States Grand Prix. For the 1981 season McLaren returned to the M29 model. The McLaren M30 was the last new car completed by McLaren before the team's merger with Ron Dennis's Project 4 Formula 2 team, and he assumed leadership of the team the following year.

Irish driver Alo Lawler used the car to compete in UK domestic Formule Libre championships between 1984 and 1989, and it was then sold to George Nuse who raced it in historic series in the USA.

Since 2004, Sean Allen has competitively raced the McLaren M30 in North America in the Historic Grand Prix.

Complete Formula One results

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(key)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers Grands Prix Points WCC
ARG BRA RSA USW BEL MON FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN USA
1980 Marlboro Team McLaren Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G Alain Prost 6 7 Ret DNS 11* 7th

* Only 1 point scored using the M30, remainder scored with M29 models.

References

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  • Pritchard, Anthony (1986). Directory of Formula One cars 1966-1986. Aston Publications. p. 162. ISBN 0-946627-02-9.
  • Nye, Doug (1984). McLaren The Grand Prix, Can-Am and Indy Cars. Hazleton Publishing. pp. 218–221. ISBN 0-905138-28-7.
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  Media related to McLaren M30 at Wikimedia Commons