The McLaren MP4/15 was McLaren’s primary challenger for the 2000 Formula One season, representing the final evolution of the highly successful late-1990s McLaren design philosophy. Conceived under the leadership of Adrian Newey, the car featured a carbon-fibre monocoque, refined aerodynamics, and the Mercedes-Ilmor FO110J V10 engine, which delivered a strong balance of power and drivability. Rather than pursuing a radical redesign, McLaren focused on incremental gains in aerodynamic efficiency, chassis balance, and tyre management to remain competitive under stable regulations.

On track, the MP4/15 proved to be one of the fastest cars of the season, particularly in qualifying trim. Driven by Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard, the car regularly demonstrated excellent high-speed performance and responsiveness, making it especially effective on flowing circuits. Its handling characteristics allowed the drivers to push aggressively, and McLaren often set the pace early in race weekends. However, while outright speed was rarely in doubt, the car occasionally struggled with consistency over long race distances compared with its main rival.

Across the season, the MP4/15 achieved seven race victories and numerous podium finishes, playing a major role in one of Formula One’s most closely fought championship battles. McLaren ultimately finished second in the Constructors’ Championship behind Ferrari, with Häkkinen and Coulthard placing second and third respectively in the Drivers’ standings. Although it did not secure a title, the MP4/15 is widely regarded as a highly competitive and technically polished car that helped define the intense Ferrari–McLaren rivalry at the turn of the millennium.Top of Form

This particular example, chassis 05, was used throughout the central portion of the 2000 Formula One season and formed an important part of David Coulthard’s title challenge with McLaren. The car was driven in seven Grands Prix and consistently ran at the front of the field, beginning with a strong second-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix after qualifying fourth. It followed this with pole position at the European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, converting that pace into a third-place podium.

Chassis 05 then delivered a landmark victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, where Coulthard qualified third and mastered the demanding street circuit to take first place. After a solid but less rewarding seventh-place finish in Canada despite a front-row start, the car returned to winning form at the French Grand Prix, with Coulthard starting second and securing his second victory of the season. Further success came at the German Grand Prix, where pole position was again followed by a podium finish in third place, before its final appearance ended in retirement at Monza after a fifth-place qualifying effort. These results contributed significantly to Coulthard’s strong and consistent campaign, which concluded with him finishing third overall in the 2000 Formula One World Drivers’ Championship.

The car sits today in full running condition and offers the rare opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to own a genuine multi-race-winning Formula One car, perfectly suited for historic events or as the crown jewel of any collection. Contact us now for more information or to arrange a viewing.

MP4/15A Chassis 05 Race Results:

5-7th May 2000 – Spanish GP, Circuit de Catalunya, David Coulthard – Qualifying P4, Race P2

19-21st May 2000 – European GP, Nürburgring, David Coulthard – Qualifying P1, Race P3

2-4th June 2000 – Monaco GP, Circuit de Monte Carlo, David Coulthard – Qualifying P3, Race P1

16-18th June 2000 – Canadian GP, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, David Coulthard – Qualifying P2, Race P7

1-2nd July 2000 – French GP, Circuit de Magny-Cours, David Coulthard – Qualifying P2, Race P1

28-30th July 2000 – German GP, Hockenheim, David Coulthard – Qualifying P1, Race P3

8-10th September 2000 – Italian GP, Monza, David Coulthard – Qualifying P5, Race DNF

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