Key Features
- Authentic McLaren MP4/2 front wing from the 1984 Brazilian GP
- Race-used with taped-on note: “Wing support tube cracked, do not use”
- Sponsorship from Hercules, pioneers of carbon fibre in motorsport
- From the car that carried Niki Lauda to his third World Championship
Location
Northampton, United Kingdom
Story
A rare piece of Grand Prix history, this front wing comes directly from Niki Lauda’s McLaren MP4/2, used at the season-opening Brazilian GP in 1984. Supplied with its original taped-on note, reading “Wing support tube cracked, do not use”, it is a fascinating example of race-used engineering from one of Formula 1®’s most dominant eras.
The Start of a Championship Season
The 1984 campaign marked the debut of the MP4/2, a car that would take Lauda to his third and final World Championship and secure McLaren the Constructors’ crown. Starting the year in Brazil, Lauda and teammate Alain Prost laid the foundations for one of the most successful cars in Formula 1® history. This front wing is a direct survivor from that opening race, connecting to the very beginning of McLaren’s turbocharged dominance.
Innovation in Carbon Fibre
The wing carries sponsorship from Hercules, an American aerospace company that became the first to supply carbon fibre to motorsport. Their partnership with McLaren sparked a revolution, giving the team the expertise and materials to master carbon fibre construction. This would soon become the cornerstone of McLaren’s design philosophy and a key factor in their dominance throughout the 1980s and beyond.
The Note
Adding to the uniqueness of this piece is the taped-on note left by the McLaren crew, warning “Wing support tube cracked, do not use”. This small detail provides a rare glimpse into the hands-on reality of F1® engineering and race-day decision-making, making the piece not only historically important but also rich with authenticity.
A Rare Opportunity
Front wings from the MP4/2 are seldom available, and one with this level of provenance is truly exceptional. Bearing both its race-used wear and its period-correct note, it offers collectors a tangible link to Niki Lauda, McLaren, and the dawn of a new era in F1® innovation.
Key Features
-
Authentic McLaren MP4/2 front wing from the 1984 Brazilian GP
-
Race-used with taped-on note: “Wing support tube cracked, do not use”
-
Sponsorship from Hercules, pioneers of carbon fibre in motorsport
-
From the car that carried Niki Lauda to his third World Championship
-
A rare survivor from the opening race of a legendary season
Please note that this item has been consigned to this auction from a private seller. All consignors are members of our database and are vetted for authenticity.
F1® Authentics Austin Auction Preview
Features
- Authentic McLaren MP4/2 front wing from the 1984 Brazilian GP
- Race-used with taped-on note: “Wing support tube cracked, do not use”
- Sponsorship from Hercules, pioneers of carbon fibre in motorsport
- From the car that carried Niki Lauda to his third World Championship
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LOT 023 - Niki Lauda 1984 McLaren MP4/2 Front Wing
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