The 1988 McLaren MP4/4, one of the most successful race cars ever constructed. Driven by team “mates” Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, the car entered 15 races and won 16 of them. I was 31 years old at the time and very much in tuned with F1. So the car is somewhat etched in my psyche. There is much debate as to who designed it, either Steve Nichols or Gordon Murray.
Regardless, if you own Assetto Corsa and have an Internet connection, an excellent simulated version is available to you for the amazing sum of nothing. Driving this car at Monaco in full simulation mode is pretty much the high point of twenty years of sim racing. Well, as much as possible. Semi-automatic gearboxes didn’t arrive until 1989 introduced by Ferrari and not adopted in the McLaren until a few years afterward. I’m using a manual clutch with a sequential shifter.
EDIT: I should have stated that if possible, you should experience the MP4/4 at Monaco in VR. This makes it visceral as you navigate valleys of Mediterranean architecture and then rocket through the tunnel.
I didn’t link the track here, because its origin is unknown. But if you search monaco_2021 on Race Dept in AC Tracks, you will find a mod for this track to add spectators. A link to the track is included. While not period correct, it is the best one that I’ve found for AC. There are at least four of them in the wild, if one searches.
Senna attacking Monaco in the '99 car.
The Assetto Corsa/VRC version delivers what feels like a very good rendition of the MP4/4 at Monaco, with 700 bhp being delivered in a very narrow part of the rpm range. Getting this beast around the circuit using a manual clutch and heel/toe is initially an impossible task. But with a few hours practice, you begin to develop a sense for when to blip, how much throttle to squeeze, and a flow begins to emerge. It’s quite satisfying to link 10 the 20 laps without touching concrete. The view from the tiny cockpit is not unlike the feel of flying a Viper, the world all around you.
Virtual Senna at Monaco.
Alain Prost
Nico interviews Alain about his feud with Senna. I feel sorry for some of the things that Prost endured afterward, but to my eyes, and I remember both races vividly, each was at fault when the outcome was to their benefit. It was no way to win, but each man was doing what they felt necessary and fair under the circumstances. We fans suffered.
