Vodafone McLaren MP4-27 Mercedes

[gray41]

http://f1zoom.co.cc/?year=2012&race=spain&img=314
http://f1zoom.co.cc/?year=2012&race=spain&img=313
http://f1zoom.co.cc/?year=2012&race=spain&img=312

Nice details.

[shelly]

Raised radiators is a very interesting feature on the mp4-27.

IIRC also the lotus E20 has retained this solution, even without the fee this year.

I wonder what has led to this choice

[axle]

Raised radiators is a very interesting feature on the mp4-27.

IIRC also the lotus E20 has retained this solution, even without the fee this year.

I wonder what has led to this choice

Surely it's down to the shape of the sidepods...raised rads to pinch the space for aero.

[Just_a_fan]

I agree with axle. The sidepod shape is key to McLaren's exhaust system performing correctly so it's likely they designed the radiator packaging around the aero needs. Which makes sense as maximising aero benefits at the rear will outweigh any slight CoG disadvangtages.

As an aside, I'm always amazed how low and compact the engine installations are on modern F1 cars. The tops of the cylinder heads look to be not much more than upper wishbone height in the photos of the McLaren

[shelly]

I agree ther could be aero behinfd this choice (or kers packaging maybe). But why would raising the radiators benefit exhaust and/or aero is not straightforward.
maybe it is something related to the radiator angle being low while the intake being high ( high intake is a striaghtforward aero reason)

[stefan_]

[PlatinumZealot]

Scarbs on Twitter: Mclaren sidepods bared, the radiators are clear of the floor like the FEE 2011 Renault. Whats packaged beneath them?

Maybe they don't want any U-bends in the water pipes.

All the radiator raised above the pump increases the net pressure suction head.

That's just a hunch on my part - cooling related.

[paulrockliffe]

My guess: lifting the radiators lets you undercut the sidepods further and having the radiators more in a line between the intake and the desired exit location means less drag and less space taken up by the ducting.

[Gridlock]

Scarbs suggested he had been told one team was running some sort of triggered-stalling system on the above-sidepod airflow, was that this lot, or someone else, or does nobody know? I assumed McLaren or Sauber.

[gray41]

http://f1zoom.co.cc/?year=2012&race=spain&img=515
http://f1zoom.co.cc/?year=2012&race=spain&img=510

What is this on the tub>?

[hardingfv32]

"triggered-stalling system on the above-sidepod airflow"... For what possible benefit?

Brian

[FrukostScones]

"triggered-stalling system on the above-sidepod airflow"... For what possible benefit?

Brian

f-ducking the side pod? getting rid of some drag?

[beelsebob]

"triggered-stalling system on the above-sidepod airflow"... For what possible benefit?

Brian

f-ducking the side pod? getting rid of some drag?

If you could do it, you'd do it all the time – the side pods create lift, so you'd want to dump both drag and lift no matter what situation you're in.

[Gridlock]

If you could do it, you'd do it all the time

Maybe if you're managing downforce directly, maybe not so much if you're switching the exhaust flow vector

[ringo]

Oh just wait until Ringo see's this new McLaren nose. He's been on about the low nose from day one.

I don't think it's a big deal. Why not switch to something that works better if the team determines it is in fact better. The low nose can't be attributed directly to any poor performances.

Haven't been on here in a while..
Saw it from a mile away.
Yes it was only natural they switched. The regulations are so tight that every little performance advantage that can be had, must be had.

The mclaren nose was a dead spot; it was knowingly un-maximized. They knew it wasn't the best aerodynamically, but they thought it had something special to it. Desingn tradition and culture is to blame for this.
Anyway, there is no advantage aerodynamically with a low nose.
The aim is to get equal with the other teams, then find something to get ahead.

If you want to work the tyres right, you need the down-force; in the most consistent way which is at the center of the car. The higher the nose the faster and less disturbed the air is going to the floor and splitter.