Hugely Dissapointed With McLaren

[segedunum]

I did hope that this might turn into a 'reasonable' debate of where McLaren are now and where they would need to go in future, not just as a racing team but as an organisational whole (having an effect on the racing team), but this whole FOTA thing has taken this way off-topic and isn't the slightest bit interesting.

KERS certainly gave McLaren an advantage last season, and they certainly chose to (sensibly) maximise the advantage they had there because it was something most teams didn't have and they had to make something of the thirty odd kilos they were carrying. That's culminated in the F-duct this season. If they were to use KERS with it then it would have added up to a pretty reasonable advantage because the F-duct would have multiplied the effect, but KERS was a pretty costly off-shoot of development that would have delivered little advantage that they could have held on to. The cost/benefit just wasn't there even if they had turned their back on FOTA after everyone agreed it was too costly to develop their own systems. That's why the gentleman's agreement stuck with KERS but didn't stick regarding the sneaky F-duct system.

[Pup]

Well, I'm hugely disappointed with McLaren employees all having better rides than I do...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFKc__i4SOQ[/youtube]

[Pup]

And I know a few of you will be hugely disappointed that the MPC is ahead of schedule...

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_ ... t_id=40625

I love the fact that Dennis has the construction trucks washed before they leave the site so they don't dirty up the roads.

[Mysticf1]

wow that video really hit home how passionate about cars of all kinds Mclaren and more importantly the employees really are.

[segedunum]

Ahhhh, Pitpass........... They must have wrote what seemed like a reasonable and concise article and washed it through their own Ronspeak converter.

One can only hope the revenue and profit will be ahead of schedule as well. It would be a bit difficult for the creditors if they had to uproot all of those trees and shrubs.

[Pup]

See, I knew you'd be hugely disappointed.

[segedunum]

Being two weeks ahead of schedule (imagine that, two whole weeks!) in terms of spending several hundred million pounds of other peoples' money is not going to make anyone disappointed unfortunately, but I suppose any news is good news when people are seeking crumbs of comfort that this isn't going to turn into a white elephant in the current climate.

[Giblet]

And I know a few of you will be hugely disappointed that the MPC is ahead of schedule...

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_ ... t_id=40625

I love the fact that Dennis has the construction trucks washed before they leave the site so they don't dirty up the roads.

Many active construction sites (all in some areas) have a pool to drive through to rid of dirt and stones to keep dust and grim from being carried off the site.

[CHT]

the supercar industry are all heading towards hybrid electric engines because of the strict CO2 regulation in EU. I am not sure how Mclaren engine division is going to compete against big automotive giants such as Daimler, VW, BMW and Ferrari.

[Pup]

the supercar industry are all heading towards hybrid electric engines because of the strict CO2 regulation in EU. I am not sure how Mclaren engine division is going to compete against big automotive giants such as Daimler, VW, BMW and Ferrari.

Actually, they're headed toward all-electric and I think this could be an advantage. Powerful enough electric motors are easy enough to design and build - just look at Tesla. What should separate the men from the boys is getting the weight down and getting all that power to the road controllably, and that's where someone like McLaren is at their best.

But of course there will be a period where Mac does ICE, and a transition period with hybrids. But still I don't think the manufacturers have shown that they have any special abilities in that area. Porsche is using Williams' kit, after all.

[internetf1fan]

That's because they are not ruthless enough.

1) McLaren cars in the past have been reknown for their mechanical grip, traction, ability to ride bumps etc. Even with cars with bad aero, their mechanical grip, ability to heat up tires etc has shown through. But for some reason they decided to go after RBR and Ferrari in Aero where McLaren will never win and at the same time have compromised the characteristics of the cars that McLaren were known for. Jack of all, master of none. They need to go back to their roots.

2) Signing up to FOTA and stupidly agreeing to everything they propose. FOTA has done nothing for McLaren. At the end of 2009 they had the BEST car with the best KERS implementation. They should have been ruthless and should have carried KERS over to 2010 when it was still allowed. If you have a bad car, then at least you have KERS to fall back on.

[Hangaku]

That's because they are not ruthless enough.

1) McLaren cars in the past have been reknown for their mechanical grip, traction, ability to ride bumps etc. Even with cars with bad aero, their mechanical grip, ability to heat up tires etc has shown through. But for some reason they decided to go after RBR and Ferrari in Aero where McLaren will never win and at the same time have compromised the characteristics of the cars that McLaren were known for. Jack of all, master of none. They need to go back to their roots.

2) Signing up to FOTA and stupidly agreeing to everything they propose. FOTA has done nothing for McLaren. At the end of 2009 they had the BEST car with the best KERS implementation. They should have been ruthless and should have carried KERS over to 2010 when it was still allowed. If you have a bad car, then at least you have KERS to fall back on.

Exactly. But ...

... if the rumours are to be believed, McLaren don't have room to be ruthless, because they have to keep as many people at the FIA / FOM sweet, due to their past misgivings (and withheld informations therein). I'm not sure that I fully believe it, but I'm starting to come around to the idea somewhat.

[internetf1fan]

That's because they are not ruthless enough.

1) McLaren cars in the past have been reknown for their mechanical grip, traction, ability to ride bumps etc. Even with cars with bad aero, their mechanical grip, ability to heat up tires etc has shown through. But for some reason they decided to go after RBR and Ferrari in Aero where McLaren will never win and at the same time have compromised the characteristics of the cars that McLaren were known for. Jack of all, master of none. They need to go back to their roots.

2) Signing up to FOTA and stupidly agreeing to everything they propose. FOTA has done nothing for McLaren. At the end of 2009 they had the BEST car with the best KERS implementation. They should have been ruthless and should have carried KERS over to 2010 when it was still allowed. If you have a bad car, then at least you have KERS to fall back on.

Exactly. But ...

... if the rumours are to be believed, McLaren don't have room to be ruthless, because they have to keep as many people at the FIA / FOM sweet, due to their past misgivings (and withheld informations therein). I'm not sure that I fully believe it, but I'm starting to come around to the idea somewhat.

McLaren don't have to do anything for anyone. They will still be treated like --- either way. Better to just give them a finger and use the regulations to the max to get the fastest car.

[Pup]

Is that horse not long dead?

[internetf1fan]

Let's look at 2008 when McLaren focused on one driver and look at them now compared to Ferrari who are now focusing on one driver. You have to be ruthless to win. Ferrari has never shied away from being ruthless. McLaren on the other hand...