The chassis of the MCL35M is shorter than you think. Also called the survival cell, and sometimes just the ‘tub’, it attached to the nosebox at the front and the engine at the rear, with the front axle, steering column, pedal box and driver all bolted to it. Back in 1981, McLaren were the first team to introduce a carbon composite chassis and it’s proved quite popular ever since. Of course, the most important thing about it is how to pronounce ‘chassis’. Despite Zak’s best efforts, most of the team go for the soft ‘ch’. Like chef, not like chair.