4Four Associates Ltd

Monza weekend..1988 version.. A few years ago Steve Nichols, McLaren sponsorship coordinator Richard West and I were invited to @brooklandsmuseum to give a talk about the MP4/4 and the 1988 season. Of course the topic of Monza came up; 'the race that McLaren didn't win' after Alain suffered a spark plug failure and Ayrton tripped over Jean-Louis Schlesser a few laps from the end. See photo.. What many people don't know is that Alain realised quite early in the race that he had a problem and would likely not finish the race. He therefore deliberately pushed Ayrton into using more fuel I.e. into a fuel deficit in the hope that he wouldn't finish the race either!.. He was thinking about 'his' world championship chances of course..naturally. Towards the end Ayrton had to back off so much to save fuel that the Ferraris of Berger and Alboreto were becoming a real threat.. He had to take every risk and as such had a split second decision about whether to pass Schlesser or not.. He did and it went wrong alas.. Oh, well.. Of course the Red Bull RB19 now has a greater percentage of wins than the 4/4 but remember, the 4/4 'could have' won in Monza but there was no way the RB19 could have won in Singapore in 2023!.. Not that I'm paranoid about such facts of course 😊 #mcLaren #mclarenmp4 #prost #senna #ayrtonsennadobrasil #ayrtonsenna #ayrton_senna #SempreSenna #sennatribute #mp44 #sennasempre #f1 #f12024 #honda

A few months ago I was honoured to be asked by Sean Heneghan, Senior Associate Tutor at the University of Oxford, to give a talk at Brasenose College for students attending the ‘High Performance Leadership: Arts to Sports’ course. Taking place in early August, it was an absolute privilege and pleasure for me to talk to an amazing and diverse group of talented individuals from all over the world about the lessons learned during my McLaren career, and my experiences of working for the likes of Sir Ron Dennis, John Barnard, Steve Nichols, Neil Oatley, Adrian Newey, Martin Whitmarsh and many others. Working in Formula One offers the chance to experience and witness exceptional leaders operating within a relentlessly competitive environment. When the life-cycle of 'the product' occurs all under one roof and its success or failure is judged by the whole world on the TV every two weeks, F1 can provide other sectors and industries with many important lessons.. and that, as well as it fascinating me, is something I have been expanding on through my consultancy work for a number of years now. What is great leadership to me? Well, in my experience it is the ability to convey a vision to others in the most appropriate and efficient manner to manifest a desired outcome. All of the above names had the ability to do just that, though never in the same way. Thoughts? Good luck to all the students in their future endeavours. They are an exceptional group of individuals. Many thanks to Pauline Boerhof for the photo. www.4fourassociates.com mj@4fourassociates.com

Two 1/12th scale signed limited edition print examples from the McLaren Honda MP4/4 engineering collection. There are currently six print options available, three of which have been signed by chief designer Steve Nichols as well as myself: The first 460mm x 325mm 1/12th scale print features the general assembly of the internal turbo inlet configuration of the car depicting both Alain's and Ayrton's driving positions on one print; the second 460mm x 325mm 1/12th scale print shows the Senna engineering drawing above his painted Belgian GP version, as depicted here in the photo; the third option is a 1/18th scale version of the second option. Three other variants based on signatures and the hand embellishment of the Alain and Ayrton general assembly views that include notes and labels. The prices of the various collection print options are available by emailing me at: mj@matthewjeffreys.com See also: https://lnkd.in/e8wznj9B As project leader for the forward monocoque, front suspension, driver installation and nose assembly, the engineering drawing was one I have always been keen to complete. Back in late '87 and early '88 we didn't have time to complete a general assembly drawing of the car so this is the first time such a drawing has ever been produced by someone on the design team. It is hand drawn on a drawing board (just like the original car was) reconstructed from personal notes and known dimensions making it an accurate and authentic reproduction of the car and engine in 1/12th scale. Many thanks go to Joe at @fineartsolutionsuk in Chessington for his help in putting the collection together. #mcLaren #mclarenmp4 #prost #senna #ayrtonsennadobrasil #ayrtonsenna #ayrton_senna #SempreSenna #sennatribute #mp44 #sennasempre #f1 #f12024 #honda

The McLaren Honda MP4/4 engineering collection of limited edition prints from https://lnkd.in/e8wznj9B My great friend and former McLaren colleague/chief designer, Steve Nichols, has now signed a number of limited edition prints of the MP4/4. A nice touch on the 'Alain and Ayrton' limited edition prints is Steve adding his uniquely styled 'SN' initials under his signature. Steve used to do this on his own engineering drawings and other people's drawings he 'approved' in the sign-off process. The prints are now ready for dispatch. Please check your email spam or junk folders if you've emailed me but not heard back yet.. There are currently seven print options available: the first 460mm x 325mm 1/12th scale print features the general assembly of the internal turbo inlet configuration of the car depicting both Alain's and Ayrton's driving positions on one print; the second 460mm x 325mm 1/12th scale print shows the Senna engineering drawing above his painted Belgian GP version, as depicted here in the photo; the third option is a 1/18th scale version of the second option. Three other variants based on signatures and hand embellishment are also in the pipeline. The prices of the various collection print options are available by emailing me at the address below. Prices start at £80 with many special limited signed versions available. mj@matthewjeffreys.com As project leader for the forward monocoque, front suspension, driver installation and nose assembly, the engineering drawing was one I have always been keen to complete. Back in late '87 and early '88 we didn't have time to complete a general assembly drawing of the car so this is the first time such a drawing has ever been produced by someone on the design team. It is hand drawn on a drawing board (just like the original car was) reconstructed from personal notes and known dimensions making it an accurate and authentic reproduction of the car and engine in 1/12th scale. #mcLaren #mclarenmp4 #prost #senna #ayrtonsennadobrasil #ayrtonsenna #ayrton_senna #SempreSenna #sennatribute #mp44 #sennasempre #f1 #f12024 #honda

Thought I'd post this again as it still seems very relevant to me..

40th anniversary..! Back in August 1984 I was incredibly privileged - and just a little awestruck - to have become a postgraduate and very junior design engineer in John Barnard's McLaren design office. A dream became reality and I was the 7th member of the design team under JB (pictured centre in the dark jacket). From L to R in the photo there is me, Alan Jenkins, Tim Wright, JB, Steve Nichols, Bob Bell, Colin Smith and Mike Lock. All of them exceptional people, with whom I became great friends though initially I felt a little out of place! Working under Barnard was a baptism of fire; he, like Ron, had/has incredibly high standards for design detail and innovation. He expected everyone to give their best and not drift too far away from his design brief. Back in those days there was no CAD, everything was designed and drawn on drawing boards so JB would regularly perch himself on your shoulder giving instructions and saying things like "That's not what I said!!!".. and "You pr*ck.. I told you.. etc, etc..!!". However despite his fiery temper I learnt an awful lot about engineering; as I did from all of them. In those days we all got involved with all aspects of the design of the car, something that young engineers rarely get the chance to do these days, where 'pigeonholing' is commonplace. When I started, Colin and Mike informed me of rules 1 & 2.: Rule no. 1 'JB is always right'; rule no. 2 'When JB is wrong, refer to rule no. 1'. Looking back, JB set new standards for innovation in F1 and taught us what could be done. When he left for Ferrari at the end of '86, Steve took over the reins as chief designer and applied his knowledge of vehicle dynamics and race car set-up which, when coupled with the standards JB set, proved to be world beating in 1988. #McLaren #MP4 #Prost #Senna #Lauda #F1 #F120249

The McLaren Honda MP4/4 engineering collection of limited edition prints... My former boss, McLaren colleague and chief designer Steve Nichols, has signed a number of different limited edition prints. They are now ready for dispatch. Hopefully, if you have expressed an interest in purchasing one you will already have had a reply from me to your email.. If not please check your email spam or junk folders.. There are currently seven print options available: the first 460mm x 325mm 1/12th scale print features the general assembly of the internal turbo inlet configuration of the car depicting both Alain's and Ayrton's driving positions on one print; the second 460mm x 325mm 1/12th scale print shows the Senna engineering drawing above his painted Belgian GP version, as depicted here in the photo; the third option is a 1/18th scale version of the second option. Three other variants based on signatures and hand embellishment are also in the pipeline. The prices of the various collection print options are available by emailing me at the address below. Prices start at £80 with many special limited signed versions available too. mj@matthewjeffreys.com As project leader for the forward monocoque, front suspension, driver installation, nosebox and front wing assembly on the MP4/4, the engineering general assembly drawing was one I have always been keen to complete. Back in late '87 and early '88 we didn't have time to complete a general assembly drawing of the car so this is the first time such a drawing has ever been produced by someone on the design team. It is hand drawn on a drawing board (just like the original car was) reconstructed from personal notes and known dimensions making it an accurate and authentic reproduction of the car and engine in 1/12th scale. Many thanks go to Joe at @fineartsolutionsuk in Chessington for his help in putting the collection together. #mcLaren #mclarenmp4 #prost #senna #ayrtonsennadobrasil #ayrtonsenna #ayrton_senna #SempreSenna #sennatribute #mp44 #sennasempre #f1 #f12024 #honda

The McLaren Honda MP4/4 engineering collection of limited edition prints... I'm delighted to confirm that my former boss and McLaren colleague/chief designer, Steve Nichols, has now signed the limited edition prints. They are now ready for dispatch. Hopefully, if you have expressed an interest in purchasing one you will already have had a reply from me to your email.. If not please check your email spam or junk folders.. There are currently seven print options available: the first 460mm x 325mm 1/12th scale print features the general assembly of the internal turbo inlet configuration of the car depicting both Alain's and Ayrton's driving positions on one print; the second 460mm x 325mm 1/12th scale print shows the Senna engineering drawing above his painted Belgian GP version, as depicted here in the photo; the third option is a 1/18th scale version of the second option. Three other variants based on signatures and hand embellishment are also in the pipeline. The prices of the various collection print options are available by emailing me at the address below. Prices start at £80 with many special limited signed versions available too. mj@matthewjeffreys.com As project leader for the forward monocoque, front suspension, driver installation and nose assembly, the engineering drawing was one I have always been keen to complete. Back in late '87 and early '88 we didn't have time to complete a general assembly drawing of the car so this is the first time such a drawing has ever been produced by someone on the design team. It is hand drawn on a drawing board (just like the original car was) reconstructed from personal notes and known dimensions making it an accurate and authentic reproduction of the car and engine in 1/12th scale. Many thanks go to Joe at @fineartsolutionsuk in Chessington for his help in putting the collection together. #mcLaren #mclarenmp4 #prost #senna #ayrtonsennadobrasil #ayrtonsenna #ayrton_senna #SempreSenna #sennatribute #mp44 #sennasempre #f1 #f12024 #honda

The McLaren Honda MP4/4 engineering collection of limited edition prints... I'm delighted to say the various options of the MP4/4 Engineering collection are proving to be very popular. My former McLaren boss/colleague/chief designer, Steve Nichols, has now signed all the limited edition prints and they are now ready for dispatch.. These include 15-only hand annotated general assembly prints each named after a country of an '88 race win. Hopefully, if you have expressed an interest in purchasing one you will have had a reply from me to your email.. If not please check your email spam or junk folders.. There are currently seven print options available: the first 460mm x 325mm 1/12th scale print features the general assembly of the internal turbo inlet configuration of the car depicting both Alain's and Ayrton's driving positions on one print; the second 460mm x 325mm 1/12th scale print shows the Senna engineering drawing above his painted Belgian GP version, as depicted here in the photo; the third option is a 1/18th scale version of the second option. Three other variants based on signatures and hand embellishment are also in the pipeline. The prices of the various collection print options are available by emailing me at the address below. Prices start at £80 with many special limited signed versions available too. mj@matthewjeffreys.com https://lnkd.in/e8wznj9B As project leader for the forward monocoque, front suspension, driver installation and nose assembly, the engineering drawing was one I have always been keen to complete. Back in late '87 and early '88 we didn't have time to complete a general assembly drawing of the car so this is the first time such a drawing has ever been produced by someone on the design team. It is hand drawn on a drawing board (just like the original car was) reconstructed from personal notes and known dimensions making it an accurate and authentic reproduction of the car and engine in 1/12th scale. Many thanks go to Joe at @fineartsolutionsuk in Chessington for his help in putting the collection together. #mcLaren #mclarenmp4 #prost #senna #ayrtonsennadobrasil #ayrtonsenna #ayrton_senna #SempreSenna #sennatribute #mp44 #sennasempre #f1 #f12024 #honda

The McLaren Honda MP4/4 engineering collection of limited edition prints... I'm delighted to confirm that my great friend and former McLaren colleague/chief designer, Steve Nichols, has now signed the 50 limited edition prints... A nice touch on the 'Alain and Ayrton' prints is Steve adding his uniquely styled 'SN' initials under his signature. Steve used to do this on his own engineering drawings and other people's he passed as 'approved' in the sign-off process. The prints will be ready for dispatching this week. Please check your email spam or junk folders if you've not heard back from me.. There are currently seven print options available: the first 460mm x 325mm 1/12th scale print features the general assembly of the internal turbo inlet configuration of the car depicting both Alain's and Ayrton's driving positions on one print; the second 460mm x 325mm 1/12th scale print shows the Senna engineering drawing above his painted Belgian GP version, as depicted here in the photo; the third option is a 1/18th scale version of the second option. Three other variants based on signatures and hand embellishment are also in the pipeline. The prices of the various collection print options are available by emailing me at the address below. Prices start at £80 with many special limited signed versions available. mj@matthewjeffreys.com As project leader for the forward monocoque, front suspension, driver installation and nose assembly, the engineering drawing was one I have always been keen to complete. Back in late '87 and early '88 we didn't have time to complete a general assembly drawing of the car so this is the first time such a drawing has ever been produced by someone on the design team. It is hand drawn on a drawing board (just like the original car was) reconstructed from personal notes and known dimensions making it an accurate and authentic reproduction of the car and engine in 1/12th scale. #mcLaren #mclarenmp4 #prost #senna #ayrtonsennadobrasil #ayrtonsenna #ayrton_senna #SempreSenna #sennatribute #mp44 #sennasempre #f1 #f12024 #honda