The McLaren M30 is a

Formula One Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...

racing car Auto racing (also known as car racing, motor racing, or automobile racing) is a motorsport involving the racing of automobiles for competition. Auto racing has existed since the invention of the automobile. Races of various sorts were organise ...

built and run by

McLaren McLaren Racing Limited is a British motor racing team based at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England. McLaren is best known as a Formula One constructor, the second oldest active team, and the second most successful Formu ...

for part of the

1980 Formula One season The 1980 Formula One season was the 34th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1980 ''World Championship of Drivers'' and the 1980 ''International Cup for F1 Constructors'', which were contested concurrently from 13 January ...

. It was a one-off car, primarily driven by

Alain Prost Alain Marie Pascal Prost (; born 24 February 1955) is a French retired racing driver and Formula One team owner. A four-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion, from 1987 until 2001 he held the record for most Grand Prix victories until Micha ...

. The purpose of the M30 was to further capitalize on ground-effect design, taking over from the

McLaren M29 The McLaren M29 is a Formula One racing car built and run by McLaren McLaren Racing Limited is a British motor racing team based at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England. McLaren is best known as a Formula One constr ...

which was perceived as obsolete. The one and only M30 was damaged in an accident in practice for the

1980 United States Grand Prix The 1980 United States Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on October 5, 1980 at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Race Course in Watkins Glen, New York. This event was also referred to as the United States Grand Prix East in order to distingu ...

. 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 Formula Libre, also known as Formule Libre, is a form of automobile racing allowing a wide variety of types, ages and makes of purpose-built racing cars to compete "head to head". This can make for some interesting matchups, and provides the oppor ...

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

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

References

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External links

McLaren Formula One cars 1980 Formula One season cars {{F1-stub