The chassis was designed by Paddy Lowe, Neil Oatley, Tim Goss, Andrew Bailey and John Iley and was powered by a customer Mercedes-Benz engine.

Technical director Paddy Lowe has exploited to the extreme the idea of higher outer sidepods, last seen on the likes of Benetton's B195 from 1995 and Ferrari's F310 from 1996.

In Formula One, lift is reversed to create downforce which results in improved traction, less driver steering wheel input, and therefore lower tyre wear.

Following problematic pre-season testing, McLaren had updated the exhaust system by the opening race of the season, the 2011 Australian Grand Prix.

[7] It was a similar story in the race, Vettel charged off into the distance with Hamilton eventually finishing 22 seconds behind, leaving the car with a broken undertray.

[10] There seem to be a change of fortune at the Chinese Grand Prix when second and third place qualifyings after a small challenge for pole turned into 1–2 in the race due to Vettel's bad start.

[11] There was a problem for McLaren in Turkey, when Fernando Alonso's podium ensured that they weren't the only ones fighting to take Vettel and Red Bull off top spot.

A disappointing race for the car, a poor pit stop for Hamilton and wrong strategy for Button were only excuses for an underlying lack of pace.

He had superior pace over Vettel and Alonso, who he caught but could not pass in the notorious Monaco circuit; he may have been able to if it had not been for a red flag which allowed them to change tyres, and thus finished third.

[15] There was more success for Button though in Canada, winning the longest race in F1 history, in changeable conditions after starting seventh, making five pit stops and serving a drive through, charging through the field from last more than once, pressuring Vettel into a mistake on the last lap to take the lead, enduring a puncture, a collision with team mate Hamilton which ended his race and a two-hour red flag.

Both engine manufacturers claimed that the other had gained an advantage, and full use of the device was promptly reinstated for the German Grand Prix and a complete ban was announced for the 2012 season.

Hamilton finished the race fourth after starting tenth, and Button took his first retirement of the year when a wheel nut was not properly connected after a pit stop.

Hamilton had led before two changes to the wrong tyres, a spin and unintentionally forcing Paul di Resta off the track that caused him to gain a drive-through penalty ruined his podium chances.

[22] During the race, Hamilton crashed after a collision with Kamui Kobayashi, whilst Button fought back onto the podium behind a Red Bull 1–2.

Team mate Hamilton dropped out of contention in Singapore after a third contact of the year with Massa cost him a front wing and a drive through penalty.