Vodafone McLaren MP4-27 Mercedes

[silversurf3r]

Wiring is there because they are running pitot tube sensors behind the diffuser.

How does the wiring relate to pitot tubes behind the diffuser? Why would the wiring need to run up the endplate so high?

[Owen.C93]

They run pressure sensors on the plane of the rear wing. Same as the floor.

[silversurf3r]

They run pressure sensors on the plane of the rear wing. Same as the floor.

Ah, i see. Maybe be some wishful thinking on my part (hoping for a DDRS implementation). I do think the endplate appears thicker than usual, but this could be a light/reflection thing.

[gray41]

Anyone think this area looks thicker, where a tube could maybe end?

[McMrocks]

they made aero tests at the rear and measure the distance to the ground (i think) at FW. so do they have a new floor which can be runned with more rake?

[horse]

Anyone got any ideas as to how the instruments on the front wing work?

I think I count 5 sensors. Is the bulge for data acquisition?

EDIT: In fact there might be 7 sensors. 2 forward centre, 1 rear centre and then 2 front and rear on each of the endplates.

EDIT2: No, 8 sensors. There is one on the pillar too.

[Owen.C93]

Most are just height sensors, as for how they work I think they're just laser measuring devices. What's odd is that the front wing is from early pre-season before they updated it at the final test. Seems strange to run such an old wing.

[scarbs]

They are testign the wing deflection. We've seen the Mac wing pylons allow the entire front wing to twist at speed, as well as the outer span of the wing deflect relative to the centre section. Thus the sensors are measuring ride height of the nose tip as a datum. then comparign it to the front and rear of the centre of the wing and the endplate.

[PlatinumZealot]

What about DDRS? looks sorta fishy the number of sensors.

[horse]

Thanks for the explanations about the sensor rig.

What's odd is that the front wing is from early pre-season before they updated it at the final test. Seems strange to run such an old wing.

Perhaps it's because they've had to put so many holes in the wing to fit the sensor rig that they didn't want to mess up their latest version. The sensors probably corrupt the airflow so a small aerodynamic diasadvantage might not matter. I guess they are testing the construction which is likely similar between the wings.

[zyphro]

What about DDRS? looks sorta fishy the number of sensors.

Doubtful; how do they intend to get a DDRS solution for that car? (Think about the tubing).

Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm an amateur .

[Owen.C93]

Thanks for the explanations about the sensor rig.

What's odd is that the front wing is from early pre-season before they updated it at the final test. Seems strange to run such an old wing.

Perhaps it's because they've had to put so many holes in the wing to fit the sensor rig that they didn't want to mess up their latest version. The sensors probably corrupt the airflow so a small aerodynamic diasadvantage might not matter. I guess they are testing the construction which is likely similar between the wings.

Good spot, looking at other shots they used the updated wing without the new cascades for normal running.

[PlatinumZealot]

What about DDRS? looks sorta fishy the number of sensors.

Doubtful; how do they intend to get a DDRS solution for that car? (Think about the tubing).

Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm an amateur .

You are right.

[Coefficient]

Thanks for the explanations about the sensor rig.

What's odd is that the front wing is from early pre-season before they updated it at the final test. Seems strange to run such an old wing.

Perhaps it's because they've had to put so many holes in the wing to fit the sensor rig that they didn't want to mess up their latest version. The sensors probably corrupt the airflow so a small aerodynamic diasadvantage might not matter. I guess they are testing the construction which is likely similar between the wings.

Good spot, looking at other shots they used the updated wing without the new cascades for normal running.

Maybe they don't want the test drivers wiping the new wings off in an accident due to being rusty?

[Gridlock]

No sign of any decent inlets forward of the cockpit either, contrary to the bulkhead double scoop on the W03 that only seems to appear at race weekends. So if AMG are running a switched FW stalling system, McLaren aren't copying them here.

The nosecone-mounted sideways-pointed sensor seems big enough to be a high frame rate or at least hi res camera, which would be an interesting video to watch..