The unloved car that nearly cost Senna a title
This famous McLaren had aerodynamic issues and needed to be completely revamped during the 1990 Formula 1 season. Although it still won both titles, the car will never be heralded as one the greats that Ayrton Senna drove
A major mid-season upgrade from McLaren doesn't sound like anything out of the ordinary today. In more humble times three decades ago, it was a big undertaking, yet that's what was required for the team to complete a hat-trick of world championships and Ayrton Senna to claim a second title in the face of a resurgent Ferrari in 1990.
McLaren didn't see reason to change a winning formula for that season. Its first normally aspirated Honda-powered car had won 10 of the 16 races in 1989, and so the MP4/5 morphed into the MP4/5B.
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