Dining out with Formula 1™

On 6 March 1981 the world of motorsport changed for ever when McLaren unveiled the first chassis made entirely from carbon-fibre composite material. The new frame was both lightweight and super-strong, offering drivers unparalleled protection as they sat cocooned in their cockpit.

The designer of the chassis was an adventurous engineer called John Barnard, who enjoyed the challenge of taking Formula 1™ materials research to the limit. Today he is using his F1™ knowledge to join forces with designer Terence Woodgate to transform furniture design. In 2008 they released an F1™-inspired carbon-composite dining table that is four metres in length yet measures just two millimetres thick.