Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24

[ISLAMATRON]

It seems they have "lit a fire under Kovi's ass"... didnt seem to do much though.

[ringo]

I am sure you are enough of a veteran to remember when the only number change was between the championship winning team and the previous champions. The "winningest" numbers, I guess, will be 1,2,5,6,27,28,11,12 as this was when McLaren, Williams, Lotus and Ferrari were sharing all the wins and when the titel was decied one of the teams swapped numbers.

I followed very little of that era. Although my father did watch F1 before, and I have memories of McLarens driven by Prost and Senna going down Mirabeau, I only started following F1 actively in 1994 (I was 13 back then).

Hence Tyrell were 3+4 for ever and Ferrari were 27+28, until Prost took the no1 and left McLaren with then 27+28, which then swapped back @ Suzuka with Senna taking Prost out.

I don't recall when the process changed and numbers issued equated to the constructors position. Anybody know when and why this was changed?

Ferrari used to be 11 and 12. At least Gilles drove Ferrari nº 12 when Jody Scheckter won his WDC. Alan Jones won in 1980, and so Williams got 1 and 2 and Ferrari got 27 and 28.

However, what I had in mind when I mentioned nº 5 was Jim Clark in a british racing green lotus. Back then, teams didn't have allocated numbers, and even changed between races. I've read that sometimes the organisers gave the numbers according to inscription order. I desperately wish that Ferrari holds to 3rd place, so that maybe Alonso will have nº 5 next year (kinda childish, I know).

Back on topic, I don't expect such a strong showing by McLaren in Suzuka. By no means do I expect the "suckage" seen in Silverstone, and Lewis might sneak into the podium, but I expect them to be around 6-8th place. KERS plus a strong engine will certainly help between Spoon and Turn 1 (senna versus prost corner). The esses in sector 1 will probably be troublesome.

Finally, I am astonished by the number of upgrades McLaren have introduced to fix their car throughout the year.

The question should be: will fisichella do enough to score some points to prevent Mclaren from finishing third?
Even if Mclaren are under par at suzuka, which i don't think will happen, Heiki and hamilton is should be able to make up some points on kimi. And we all know kimi is not winning that race against the likes of Brawn, RBR, williams and even Toyota.

[Miguel]

The question should be: will fisichella do enough to score some points to prevent Mclaren from finishing third?
Even if Mclaren are under par at suzuka, which i don't think will happen, Heiki and hamilton is should be able to make up some points on kimi. And we all know kimi is not winning that race against the likes of Brawn, RBR, williams and even Toyota.

The truth is, with Brawn and RBR, getting anything better than 5th in Suzuka will be tough for the rest. I don't think Ferrari will be any slower than McLaren here. Furthermore, Kovalainen is not scoring a lot. Lewis and Kimi will find it tough to score 5 points here, so I fear both Fisi and Heikki will not be a factor there.

Interlagos may be strong for McLaren, so it may all depend on how the teams adapt to our new season finale.

[wesley123]

Really, what you saying aint true, McLaren has a even chance as brawn and RB to finsih on the podium, also do not exclude toyota, williams and renault, they all seem to be going better and better so it can be a exciting race.

[Miguel]

Really, what you saying aint true, McLaren has a even chance as brawn and RB to finsih on the podium, also do not exclude toyota, williams and renault, they all seem to be going better and better so it can be a exciting race.

I gather from your answer that you find these cars are more or less equal on a high speed high downforce track. Is this right? I believe McLaren still lacks some downforce, although Pedro Mtz de la Rosa said the new diffuser they got at Singapore really helped. Well, let's see.

[richard_leeds]

According to formula1.com McLaren used a new symmetrical diffuser in Singapore.

That V shaped deck makes it seem less cavernous than the previous version. Is that an illusion? Is it a lower volume but more effective design?

[ISLAMATRON]

According to formula1.com McLaren used a new symmetrical diffuser in Singapore.

That V shaped deck makes it seem less cavernous than the previous version. Is that an illusion? Is it a lower volume but more effective design?

I think that was about sacrificing efficiency for maximum downforce... it seemed like they "closed" off the trailing edge of the DDD with gurney flaps, and those give some serious DF... but increase drag tremendously... but not something they are too worried bout at Singapore or Monaco.

[vasia]

Interesting-looking diffuser McLaren is running.

[richard_leeds]

I think that was about sacrificing efficiency for maximum downforce... it seemed like they "closed" off the trailing edge of the DDD with gurney flaps, and those give some serious DF... but increase drag tremendously... but not something they are too worried bout at Singapore or Monaco.

So back to the cavern for suzuka?

[di44ety]

[ISLAMATRON]

I think that was about sacrificing efficiency for maximum downforce... it seemed like they "closed" off the trailing edge of the DDD with gurney flaps, and those give some serious DF... but increase drag tremendously... but not something they are too worried bout at Singapore or Monaco.

So back to the cavern for suzuka?

Or maybe smaller gurney tabs/flaps.

[mx_tifoso]

McLaren wheels in Japan.

[Michiba]

McLaren wheels in Japan.

wow, nice pic. Is that melted tire from the brake heat streaming down?

also, what is that thing attached to the rim? Pressure gauge? temp sensor?

[mx_tifoso]

I have no idea what that brown stuff is to be honest. Maybe some wheel pro's could chime in here. Although it may be from the exterior wheel paint?

I thought that this pic was cool too, hence why I bothered to post it . It's not that common to see wheels without tyres mounted on.

[Ray]

I heard before that they bonded wet tires to the rims with some sort of adhesive, maybe that's the adhesive from them heating up the previous set of tires for removal?