--- description: "All McLaren MP4-31 specs (2016 F1 car): chassis, suspension, weight, gearbox & Honda hybrid power unit + MP4-31 news & launch photos" title: McLaren MP4-31 Specs & Info (2016 F1 Car) | F1-Fansite.com image: https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ONY0776-1200x675.jpg --- [Skip to main content](#content) ![Change language](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/themes/f1fansite/images/flags-svg/gb.svg?v=2) [![F1-Fansite.com](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/themes/f1fansite/images/logo-mob.png)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/) ![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-spa-header.jpg) [![Try F1 on Apple TV for 7 days](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/F1-Launch_Refresh2_Static_Affiliate_728x90_US-EN.jpg)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-on-apple-tv/) [![F1-Fansite.com](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/themes/f1fansite/images/logo.png)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/) [Sign in](https://www.f1-fansite.com/login/) - 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Americas](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/themes/f1fansite/images/flags-svg/us.svg?v=2) US United States Grand Prix · FP100d 00h 00m 00s](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-calendar/usa-grand-prix-f1-race-information/) # McLaren MP4/31: 2016 F1 Car Specs & Stats ![McLaren MP4/31](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ONY0776-990x660.jpg) 2016 Formula 1 car ## ![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/themes/f1fansite/images/flags-svg/gb.svg?v=2) McLaren MP4/31 [6th in standings](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-results/2016-f1-championship-standings/) | [McLaren](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-teams/mclaren/) car 5th Best Finish 3rd Best Quali 76 Points 1 Fastest Lap ## Car Profile Team **![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/gb.svg?v=2) [McLaren](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-teams/mclaren/)** Season **[2016](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-results/2016-f1-championship-standings/)** Constructors' P6 **76** pts Races **21** (42 starts) Designers Peter Prodromou Head of aerodynamicsTim Goss Technical director [Compare with another car](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-cars/f1-cars-comparison-tool/?car_a=97) ## Power Unit & Tyres Power unit **[Honda RA616H](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-engines/honda-engine-f1-stats/)**1.6 V6 turbo hybrid Tyres **Pirelli** ## Drivers of the McLaren MP4/31 14 ![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/es.svg?v=2) ![Fernando Alonso](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-Fernando-Alonso.png) [FernandoAlonso](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-drivers/fernando-alonso/) P10 **54** pts 22 ![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/gb.svg?v=2) ![Jenson Button](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/jenson-button-2016.jpg) [JensonButton](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-drivers/jenson-button/) P15 **21** pts 47 ![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/be.svg?v=2) [StoffelVandoorne](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-drivers/stoffel-vandoorne-information-statistics/) P20 **1** pts ## 2016 Finishing Positions 5th 2 6th 2 7th 4 8th 1 9th 4 10th 4 11th 2 12th 5 13th 3 14th 2 16th 2 18th 2 DNF 9 **DNF** Did Not Finish ## 2016 Race by Race 21 Grands Prix [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/au.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-australian-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Australian F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/bh.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-bahrain-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Bahrain F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/cn.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-chinese-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Chinese F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/ru.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-russian-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Russian F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/es.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-spanish-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Spanish F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/mc.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-monaco-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Monaco F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/ca.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-canadian-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Canadian F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/az.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-european-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 European F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/at.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-austrian-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Austrian F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/gb.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-british-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 British F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/hu.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-hungarian-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Hungarian F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/de.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-german-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 German F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/be.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-belgian-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Belgian F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/it.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-italian-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Italian F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/sg.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-singapore-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Singapore F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/my.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-malaysian-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Malaysian F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/jp.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-japanese-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Japanese F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/us.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-usa-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 USA F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/mx.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-mexican-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Mexican F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/br.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-brazilian-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Brazilian F1 GP") [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/plugins/motor-sport-results/images/flags-svg/ae.svg?v=2)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-result/race-results-2016-abu-dhabi-f1-grand-prix/ "2016 Abu Dhabi F1 GP") ![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-Fernando-Alonso.png) [Fernando Alonso](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-drivers/fernando-alonso/) DNF–126DNF511DNF181371271477165131010 ![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/jenson-button-2016.jpg) [Jenson Button](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-drivers/jenson-button/) 14DNF131099DNF11612DNF8DNF12DNF91891216DNF [Stoffel Vandoorne](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-drivers/stoffel-vandoorne-information-statistics/) –10––––––––––––––––––– 1Podium 7Points 14Outside the points DNFNot classified Stats current as of: 19 Sep 2026 ## McLaren model cars [All 7 McLaren items →](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-merchandise/?team=mclaren&type=lego,model-cars) - [![McLaren 1:14 Scale 2024 RC CAR](https://feeds.frgimages.com/_ss5_p-202860452+u-xpgruqgmhplq5xt2dcsy+v-mw4huojba3ple1zcfhm3.jpg?_hv=2&w=440)](https://feeds.frgimages.com/_ss5_p-202860452+u-xpgruqgmhplq5xt2dcsy+v-mw4huojba3ple1zcfhm3.jpg?_hv=2&w=1200) Save 50%
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### F1® LEGO® Driver with McLaren Race Car McLaren · LEGO [EUBuy for€13.00](https://f1.pxf.io/c/2497399/865966/11910?prodsku=207851187&u=https%3A%2F%2Ff1store2.formula1.com%2Fen%2Fmclaren-f1-team%2Fhome-and-office%2Fpilote-f1%C2%AE-lego%C2%AE-avec-voiture-de-course-mclaren%2Ft-10196495%2Bd-42004409%2Bf-68553343175%2Bz-9-3446832221%3Futm_medium%3Daffiliates%26cur%3DEUR%26loc%3Den-GB&intsrc=APIG_6649&subId1=strip&subId2=mclaren-mp4-31&subId3=eu) [UKBuy for£11.00](https://f1.pxf.io/c/2497399/865965/11910?prodsku=207851187&u=https%3A%2F%2Ff1store.formula1.com%2Fen%2Fmclaren-f1-team%2Fhome-and-office%2Ff1%C2%AE-lego%C2%AE-driver-with-mclaren-race-car%2Ft-10196495%2Bd-42004409%2Bf-68553343175%2Bz-9-1263208671%3Futm_medium%3Daffiliates%26cur%3DGBP%26loc%3Den-GB&intsrc=APIG_6648&subId1=strip&subId2=mclaren-mp4-31&subId3=gb) [USBuy for$15.00](https://f1.pxf.io/c/2497399/865970/11910?prodsku=207851187&u=https%3A%2F%2Ff1store4.formula1.com%2Fen%2Fmclaren-f1-team%2Fhome-and-office%2Ff1%C2%AE-lego%C2%AE-driver-with-mclaren-race-car%2Ft-10196495%2Bd-42004409%2Bf-68553343175%2Bz-9-1263208671&intsrc=APIG_6653&subId1=strip&subId2=mclaren-mp4-31&subId3=us) Jenson Button, McLaren MP4-31, 2016 Japanese F1 GP ## McLaren's F1 car for 2016 Improved stability and actually seeing the chequered flag was the headline for McLaren-Honda in the [2016 F1 season](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-results/2016-f1-championship-standings/ "2016 F1 Championship Standings") and, in many ways, that was by design. After the bruising first year of the reunion, both sides treated season two as “Year One, properly”, armed at last with real-world data and a clearer understanding of what had gone wrong. ### RA616H: fixing what “Size Zero” had sacrificed Honda’s 2016 power unit (RA616H) was a step on from the RA615H, targeting the areas that had been compromised to make McLaren’s aggressive “Size Zero” packaging possible. The big changes were focused on airflow and combustion efficiency. The intake and exhaust systems, previously squeezed for space, were reworked for better efficiency, helping claw back performance. Honda also raised the surge tank (which houses the variable intake system) by 30mm, allowing smoother airflow into the combustion chamber. It cost [McLaren](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-teams/mclaren/ "McLaren F1 Team Stats & Info") some chassis volume, but the team bought into the trade-off and worked to recover competitiveness elsewhere. Another key change came at the injectors. Moving them from the side to the top improved combustion efficiency, with the knock-on benefit of better power output. None of this transformed the RA616H into a class leader overnight, but it addressed the fundamentals that had held the 2015 package back. ### Reliability first, pace later If there was one area Honda attacked with maximum urgency, it was reliability. Using the previous season’s failures as a roadmap, Honda tightened quality control, prioritised durability testing, and generally treated every component as if it had personally embarrassed the company. The result was a dramatic improvement in robustness. From pre-season testing, the difference was visible: the RA616H ran more consistently, and the overall mood shifted from survival mode to something closer to cautious confidence. Inside the project, the phrase “practically our first year” did the rounds, an admission that 2015 had been as much a learning exercise as a competitive campaign. That said, this was still an early-stage design: effectively a minor-change evolution of the RA615H. Its output and control systems simply weren’t yet at the level of the top power units, and that ceiling remained a problem as the year unfolded. ### MP4-31: evolution, not revolution McLaren’s MP4-31 followed a similar philosophy. With major regulation changes looming for 2017, most teams chose to evolve their existing cars rather than burn resources on clean-sheet concepts. McLaren did the same: the MP4-31 was a modest development of the [MP4-30](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-cars/mclaren-mp4-30-specifications-information/ "McLaren MP4-30 specs & info"). The car retained the short nose introduced mid-season the year before, while the most obvious visible tweak was the addition of vertical slits in the wing-support stays. Front and rear suspension concepts carried over, although the layout and sizing were subtly adjusted to improve airflow management and refine the car’s behaviour. Aerodynamics, especially around the rear wing, became a major update battleground. McLaren arrived with a deep menu of rear-wing specifications, varying fin counts and slit shapes tailored to each circuit. It was a reminder that the team’s engineering resources were still formidable. Unfortunately, the results didn’t translate into a breakthrough leap in effectiveness; the developments were incremental, not game-changing. ### A season that started in the worst possible tone Just as the package began to look more dependable, the campaign took an emotional hit. [Fernando Alonso](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-drivers/fernando-alonso/ "Fernando Alonso F1 stats & info") suffered a serious accident at the season-opener in Australia and was ruled out of the following round, instantly knocking the wind out of any early optimism. Even with clear steps forward, particularly in reliability, the wider paddock wasn’t standing still. Rival teams evolved faster, and McLaren-Honda’s gap to the front didn’t shrink as quickly as hoped. Progress was real, but it wasn’t relative progress, and that distinction matters in Formula 1. ### Signs of life, but power still the handbrake There were moments that hinted at recovery. In Spain (Round 5), Alonso reached Q3 for the first time since McLaren-Honda’s return, a small milestone, but a meaningful one given where the project had been. Over the season, both cars finished in the points four times, showing the package could capitalise when races fell their way. Most importantly, the reliability gains held up over the full year. The team completed races in 76.2% of the season, logging 17 finishes, a tangible, measurable improvement after the previous campaign’s attrition. But the power deficit remained the elephant in the garage. Compared to the competition, Honda simply didn’t have enough output, and the limitations were too obvious to ignore. That reality pushed Honda into developing a new power unit during the season, a clear signal that the RA616H, while sturdier, wasn’t the end goal. In short: 2016 brought stability and a foundation you could finally build on. The frustration was that everyone else was building too, and many were doing it faster. ### **Technical specifications McLaren MP4-31 F1 car** #### Chassis **Chassis:** MP4-31 **Monocoque:** Carbon fiber composite **Safety mechanisms: ** Cockpit survival cell Impact-resistant structure with anti-penetration panels, impact force mitigation structure at front, side and rear of chassis, and front and rear roll structure. **Body:** Carbon fiber composite, comprising the engine cover, side pontoons, floor, nose, front wing, rear wing, and driver operated drag reduction system (DRS) **Front suspension:** Carbon fiber wishbone, push-rod torsion bar, damper system **Rear suspension:** Carbon fiber wishbone, pull-rod torsion bar, damper system **Weight:** 702kg (including driver, excluding fuel). Weight distribution: 45.5% - 46.5% **Electronic equipment:** Manufactured by McLaren Applied Technologies. Included chassis and power unit control, data acquisition equipment, sensors, data analysis and telemetry systems. **Dashboard:** McLaren Applied Technologies dashboard **Lubricants:** Mobilis SHC 1500 grease - Lubricates tri-pod joints on hot driveshafts Mobilis SHC 220 grease - Minimizes rotational resistance of ceramic wheel bearings Mobilis SHC hydraulic oil - High-pressure, high-temperature hydraulic oil, used in chassis, transmission and power unit actuators. **Brake system: **Akebono brake calipers and master cylinders Akebono brake-by-wire control system Carbon discs and pads **Steering:** Rack-and-pinion power steering **Tires:** Pirelli P Zero **Wheels:** Enkei **Radio:** equipment Kenwood **Paint:** Sikkens AkzoNobel car refinish system #### Power unit **Power unit:** Honda RA616H **Minimum weight:** 145kg **Power unit components:** ICE (engine) / TC (turbocharger) / MGU-K / MGU-H / ES (energy storage) / CE (control unit) **Cylinders:** 6 (in accordance with regulations) **Displacement:** 1,600cc **Bank angle:** 90 degrees **Valves:** 24 **Maximum:** revs 15,000rpm **Maximum fuel flow:** 100kg/h (10,500rpm) **Maximum fuel load:** 100kg **Fuel injection:** Direct injection (1 per cylinder, 500bar max.) **Supercharger:** Coaxial single-stage compressor, turbine **Fuel:** ExxonMobil high-performance unleaded fuel (5.75% biofuel) **Lubricants:** Mobil 1 engine oil #### Energy regeneration system **Mechanism:** Hybrid energy regeneration with motor-generator unit. MGU-K connected to crankshaft, MGU-H to turbocharger. **Energy storage unit:** Lithium-ion battery (weight: 20-25 kg); stores up to 4 MJ per lap. **MGU-K:** Maximum revs 50,000rpm, Maximum output 120kW, Maximum regeneration 2MJ per lap **MGU-H:** Maximum revs 125,000rpm, Maximum output Unlimited, Maximum regeneration Unlimited, Maximum energy release Unlimited #### Transmission **Gearbox:** Carbon fiber composite case, longitudinally mounted **Gears:** 8 forward, 1 reverse **Gear operation:** Electro-hydraulic seamless shift **Differential:** Planetary gear multiplate limited slip clutch differential **Clutch:** Electro-hydraulic carbon multi-plate clutch **Lubricant:** Mobil 1 SHC Gear Oil - Highly efficient gear / bearings lubrication and cooling by reducing traction loss ✅ Check the [McLaren MP4-31 launch photos](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-wallpaper/mclaren-mp4-31-launch-pictures/ "McLaren MP4-31 launch pictures") --- ### Latest McLaren MP4-31 F1 car News - [![Alonso: McLaren-Honda 'a little behind'](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/lr_L4R5231-190x308.jpg)4 Mar 2016

Alonso: McLaren-Honda 'a little behind'

](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-news/alonso-mclaren-honda-little-behind/) - [![Boullier: Alonso 'happy' at improving McLaren](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/N7T2278-Custom-190x308.jpg)3 Mar 2016

Boullier: Alonso 'happy' at improving McLaren

](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-news/boullier-alonso-happy-improving-mclaren/) - [![De la Rosa: McLaren-Honda will not win in 2016](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/M1A4373-190x308.jpg)25 Feb 2016

De la Rosa: McLaren-Honda will not win in 2016

](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-news/de-la-rosa-mclaren-honda-will-not-win-2016/) - [![Boullier reluctant to comment amid Honda rumours](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/L4R4162-190x308.jpg)23 Feb 2016

Boullier reluctant to comment amid Honda rumours

](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-news/boullier-reluctant-comment-amid-honda-rumours/) - [![Dennis not predicting McLaren-Honda wins yet](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2016-McLaren-Honda-MP4-31-Front-Three-Quarter-190x308.jpg)22 Feb 2016

Dennis not predicting McLaren-Honda wins yet

](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-news/dennis-not-predicting-mclaren-honda-wins-yet/) - - [![McLaren MP4-31 launch pictures](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2016-McLaren-Honda-MP4-31-Front-Three-Quarter-190x308.jpg)21 Feb 2016

McLaren MP4-31 launch pictures

](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-wallpaper/mclaren-mp4-31-launch-pictures/) - [![McLaren-Honda MP4-31 Reveal Film](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/uOJDROEZ0p8-2-190x308.jpg)21 Feb 2016

McLaren-Honda MP4-31 Reveal Film

](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-videos/mclaren-honda-mp4-31-reveal-film/) - [![Beam it | #TheF1Effect | Prototype Technology](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/oyCKY4_dgFw-7-190x308.jpg)20 Feb 2016

Beam it | #TheF1Effect | Prototype Technology

](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-videos/beam-it-thef1effect-prototype-technology/) - [![Prost: McLaren-Honda must be better in 2016](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/79P6703-Custom-190x308.jpg)5 Feb 2016

Prost: McLaren-Honda must be better in 2016

](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-news/prost-mclaren-honda-must-better-2016/) - [![Alonso's manager eyes 'competitive' 2016 McLaren](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/X0W3366-Custom-190x308.jpg)21 Jan 2016

Alonso's manager eyes 'competitive' 2016 McLaren

](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-news/alonsos-manager-eyes-competitive-2016-mclaren/) - Last updated: 19 Sep 2026, 14:38 ## McLaren MP4/31: Frequently Asked Questions
Which team raced the McLaren MP4/31? McLaren raced the McLaren MP4/31 in the 2016 Formula 1 season, finishing 6th in the constructors' championship with 76 points.
Who drove the McLaren MP4/31? Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Stoffel Vandoorne drove the McLaren MP4/31 in 2016.
How many races did the McLaren MP4/31 win? The McLaren MP4/31 did not win a Grand Prix in 2016; its best result was 5th.
Which engine powered the McLaren MP4/31? The McLaren MP4/31 used the Honda RA616H, a 1.6 V6 turbo hybrid power unit.
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