Vodafone McLaren MP4-27 Mercedes

[Jackles-UK]

As far as I know the FIA were looking at possibly introducing a non-structural piece of bodywork to cover up stepped noses? I know they pitched this idea to teams in the past but they could make it more mandatory for next year. I for one would approve that rule change! Not that McLaren need worry too much!

Is it 2014 where they were talking about the noses being below the front wheel centre line (à la Brawn 2009)?

[N12ck]

As far as I know the FIA were looking at possibly introducing a non-structural piece of bodywork to cover up stepped noses? I know they pitched this idea to teams in the past but they could make it more mandatory for next year. I for one would approve that rule change! Not that McLaren need worry too much!

Is it 2014 where they were talking about the noses being below the front wheel centre line (à la Brawn 2009)?

the exact rule in a nutshell is, the centre of area at the tip of the nose must be at no more than 185mm from the reference plane, and must have an area of xmm^2 so yes it is very very low

[Pierce89]

While the McLaren clearly had the best F-Duct system, by the time they got to Monza (Race 14) pretty much every top team had their own iteration it installed. The difference can't have been that enormous between the different systems by that time in the season surely?

Back to the -27: Does anybody know if there was any modification in the 'big' updates over the last few weeks to the floor? I thought today that with their original floor being deemed illegal (sort of!) in China they might have re-engineered it to try to obtain the same effect with the new rules.

By the end of 2010, Macca copied the Renault F-duct(blowing main plane rather than flap) solution, so I don't agree that Mclaren clearly had the best F-duct, only the earliest.

As far as the floor. I think they mostly re-optimized it after the FIA disallowed their "contoured" floor, earlier in the season.

[turbof1]

While the McLaren clearly had the best F-Duct system, by the time they got to Monza (Race 14) pretty much every top team had their own iteration it installed. The difference can't have been that enormous between the different systems by that time in the season surely?

Back to the -27: Does anybody know if there was any modification in the 'big' updates over the last few weeks to the floor? I thought today that with their original floor being deemed illegal (sort of!) in China they might have re-engineered it to try to obtain the same effect with the new rules.

By the end of 2010, Macca copied the Renault F-duct(blowing main plane rather than flap) solution, so I don't agree that Mclaren clearly had the best F-duct, only the earliest.

As far as the floor. I think they mostly re-optimized it after the FIA disallowed their "contoured" floor, earlier in the season.

They certainly had the most integrated one. Chassis changes were disallowed back in 2010, so other teams had to make compromises. Red Bull especially had difficulties, probaby because their car was one of the most tightly packed of all the cars.

[n smikle]

It was actually quite easy to route the signal duct into the chassis. Almost all the top teams had F-ducts testing on track right after the cat was out of the bag. Merc, Renault, Ferrari, RedBull, etc... it was very doable without crash testing.

[turbof1]

It was actually quite easy to route the signal duct into the chassis. Almost all the top teams had F-ducts testing on track right after the cat was out of the bag. Merc, Renault, Ferrari, RedBull, etc... it was very doable without crash testing.

If i am correct, only Renault and Sauber got it working properly from the first weekend they used it, with Sauber actually having tested parts of it during the winter tests. Mercedes was also relative quick to have it, but crucially they only used a passive stalling device which did not require the extensive pipework through the car.
The chassis might not have been so much the problem, but again it is very difficult to find any room in a car where the packaging is so tightly packed. Altering the chassis being disallowed makes on the front of repackaging things only worse. Red Bull I think was especially hit by it: it compromised their aero efficiency initially. Any advantage the f-duct gave to them was offset by the bulkier back end of the car. In Valencia, and even then after a midnight discussion, they finally used it in the race.
McLaren always had a good advantage in that aspect. They never had to introduce it into an existing car. Aero efficiency of the bodywork was only very lightly compromised for them.

[alogoc]

http://www.onestopstrategy.com/dailyf1n ... eport.html

[westech]

http://www.formula1fancast.com/2012/08/ ... FanCast%29
mcLaren are set to utilise a double-DRS system at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Both Mercedes and Lotus have been developing the technology, with the German team frequently using it during the opening months of the campaign.

Now McLaren are set to use their own take on the system which should improve the straight line speed and overtaking ability of the MP4-27.

However, sporting director, Sam Michael, is adamant that the gadget is not merely a carbon copy if their rivals’ developments.

“It’s not like the Lotus one, but we are studying such a system.” He told F1Today.net

Lotus are set to use their double-DRS for the first time under race conditions at Spa, having previously tested it at Hungary during practice.

McLaren will now utilise the technology, although it is unclear how much of a role it will play over the weekend.

McLaren are enjoying a slight revival of late after a disappointing first half of the season.

Jenson Button raced to second spot in Germany, whilst Lewis Hamilton secured maximum points in the last race at the Hungaroring.

Follow @Formula1fancast on Twitter for the latest F1 news and blogs

[the EDGE]

Source?

If there's 1 thing I have learnt in life its never trust a story without a source, especially when its quoting from something Sam Michael said weeks ago

That said I agree it is more than feasible but I think it unlikely they would just turn up and race it, my guess is a track specific aero package, after all


There are some more updates for Hungary," said sporting director Sam Michael. "We will definitely be bringing parts there and then to Spa'' http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101464

[Coefficient]

No Fancy Duct work on the Macca this weekend.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/08/30/d ... whitmarsh/

[Owen.C93]

Their curved inner cascade seems to be petty slim this weekend. Can't spot any other changes.

[zyphro]

[Morteza]

[Mission Control]

"When asked by AUTOSPORT if a McLaren double DRS would appear at Spa, Whitmarsh dismissed such suggestions. But he also hinted that a comparable system might be in the pipeline.

"There is no doubt that the double DRS is interesting, but I think there are other variants of it starting to be seen on other teams' cars, so they might not follow a pattern that we saw on the Mercedes," he said.

"But we are not announcing when, where or if we are going to introduce it.

"I think people will see different wing variants, certainly on our car in scrutineering tomorrow and as they take to the track.

"So we will see new bits but McLaren will not have a double DRS in Belgium.""

Shame, was looking forward to seeing what they had come up with!

[boyracer94]

Looks like a higher DF wing than Ferrari have - I wonder if they've got a lower DF wing in the garage somewhere? I know McLaren usually hide their newer parts.

Edit: removed quoted image