May 19, 2016 Tatiana Noel Modern racing, Formula 1 First Light - The story behind the McLaren MP4/1 May 19, 2016 Tatiana Noel Modern racing, Formula 1 35 years ago McLaren built the world’s first carbon fiber Formula 1™ car. It revolutionized the sport, and since then McLaren has not built a racing car or road car without a carbon chassis. We meet the designer of the MP4/1, John Barnard.