AR3-GP wrote: ↑09 Apr 2025, 08:20
Vanja #66 wrote: ↑02 Apr 2025, 11:29
McLaren have found a way to control these vertical kicks and the downforce they generate across various ride heights. This is the big tricky topic, as massive kick surface can generate massive downforce peak that disappears if the kick stalls locally - while also leading to high-speed bouncing that Ferrari struggled with.
I believe this floor design is part of the reason McLaren exhibits lower Top Speed figures, both with and without DRS, compared to rest of Top 4 cars.
I have difficulty believing that an underbody section could be responsible for consuming so much energy. They are often 5-6 km/h down on the others. Remember that this has been the case since 2022. They had a different diffuser geometry back then.
Could it not be some kind of chassis drag or an inefficient cooling system?
I see it the same as you've indicated, that very careful application and understanding of this effect will pay dividend in then trying to control it via suspension design and component. Clearly a good understanding here allows performance gain while mitigating down side.
There's possibility here that McL have also found / developed in those suspension component as well though. They being the original users of the inerta type heave control that became de facto equipment on all of the cars until these new rules excluded them.
Reference for that component and it's origins
https://www.formula1-dictionary.net/j-damper.html to help evaluation.
Rather than a component by component examination in conventional terms, that looked at what needed to be done then applying much broader input to solve by making equivalence in electrical handling and particularly capacitance, as I understand that.
If these current limitations were to be examined to same effect, then characteristic curves, linearity, reciprocal (or reciprocal failure) will give a better picture of the task, that being devoid of current equipment limitations.
Plotting in opposition to the curve response that's undesirable would give firstly an outlook of task, then to find IF that can be enacted while staying within current regulation.
They may have on that car something in "heave" spring architecture that enacts this line of thought to better effect than other teams.
McLaren have found a way to control these vertical kicks and the downforce they generate across various ride heights. This is the big tricky topic, as massive kick surface can generate massive downforce peak that disappears if the kick stalls locally - while also leading to high-speed bouncing that Ferrari struggled with.
