Formula 1 has seen its fair share of outrageous designs — but few turned heads like the 1970 McLaren M7C Double Wing.
In an era where rules were still catching up to engineering imagination, McLaren decided to go bold. The M7C wasn’t just another iteration of the M7 chassis — it was a rolling experiment in extreme aerodynamics. Its standout feature? A bizarre “double wing” setup, with a traditional high-mounted rear wing and a second wing integrated at the front. The goal? Downforce. The result? Controversy and curiosity.
Designed to improve cornering speed by increasing grip, this unusual configuration made the M7C look more like a prototype spaceship than a Grand Prix car. It debuted during the wild west days of F1 aero — a time when engineers pushed the rules (and sometimes ignored them entirely) in the pursuit of performance.
Underneath, the M7C also carried innovation. It featured a fully enclosed monocoque derived from McLaren’s Formula 5000 chassis, offering enhanced structural rigidity. While it didn’t rack up wins, it played a crucial role in pushing McLaren’s understanding of aerodynamics — paving the way for future successes.
Drivers like Denny Hulme and Bruce McLaren gave the car a proper shakedown, including at the 1970 South African Grand Prix. Though the double-wing design would soon be banned as F1 tightened regulations, the M7C left a lasting legacy.
Today, it’s a legend among racing purists and design junkies — a symbol of what happens when rules don’t stand in the way of creativity.
