McLaren M30

The unique McLaren M30.

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.

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.

The car has since been raced in historic competition, by Alo Lawler in England and then George Nuse in the USA.

Since 2004, Sean Allen has competitively raced the McLaren M30 in the United States in the Historic Grand Prix. The McLaren M30 is currently being maintained by Tony Nicholson at Robin Automotive in Sonoma California.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Points	WCC
1980	McLaren	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	G		ARG	BRA	RSA	USW	BEL	MON	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	NED	ITA	CAN	USA	11*	7th
				Alain Prost											6	7	Ret	DNS

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

References

• Pritchard, Anthony (1986). Directory of Formula One cars 1966-1986. Aston Publications. pp. p162. ISBN 0-946627-02-9. 
• Nye, Doug (1984). McLaren The Grand Prix, Can-Am and Indy Cars. Hazleton Publishing. pp. pp218–221. ISBN 0-905138-28-7.