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[PlatinumZealot]

High nose!! It's coming!! Watch the car on Friday!

[onewingedangel]

If we see a chassis change, we'll likely see some F-duct action - and it may not stop at the front-wing.

[ianwit]

It's going to be a relatively cool weekend with a high chance of rain, conditions which will suit the current car imo.

[Javert]

Changing chassis. Probably the best thing to do, but an incredible huge error admission

[Just_a_fan]

I'd be amazed if they changed to a stepped nose mid season. The whole idea of this design is that it maximises airflow to the rear. Fine. But that means you need to look at the whole car's aero map - it's not a case of build a new tub, bolt on a new front wing and suddenly gain several tenths per lap. It's a change in overall concept and not to be taken lightly, especially when the current car is actually pretty competitive.

I could see changes to the exhaust system, however, to improve on the performance of this area. Most of the RB8's performance over the McLaren at Valencia was down to the exhaust system in my view. That and temperatures that hindered the McLaren.

[Coefficient]

I think it's quite likely that Mclaren have decided to introduce a new chassis mid season. We have heard reports of further crash tests taking place, we have seen the drivers testing stepped nose visibility at a couple of races and there has been little development of the car in its current form since the big pre season upgrade. This suggests to me that given the restricted use of development tools under RRA the factory is working on a major change to the car and is unable to run a parrallel program to develop the 27 as it is.

[astracrazy]

why do they need the stepped nose? it still looks like they can still raise the nose further making it flat top which would surely be better then the stepped nose?

[Paul]

Stepped nose is about raising the chassis, not the tip of the nose.

[Chuckjr]

If they do change to the stepped nose, which driver -Lewis or Jenson- is the better developer? Are they equal? I've heard, I think in this forum, that Jenson works better with the engineers at getting a car to work, but the last few races have not reflected this consideration.

Secondly, is this being done (if it actually will be introduced) because the car in its present iteration, cannot be developed much further? I find that hard to believe, but that would have to be the case no(?), to take such a huge huge risk...?

(It's making out to be like the F150...abandoning a good design)

[astracrazy]

I've heard, I think in this forum, that Jenson works better with the engineers at getting a car to work, but the last few races have not reflected this consideration.

Its been said lately (via Martin Brundle if i remember) he has problems setting up a car. Its also known he can't perform unless the car is exactly to his liking. Based on these, i can't imagen him being good at developing a car - imo.

I think Lewis would be much better as he can still push the car even if its not to his liking. Look at 2009 for example...

[PhillipM]

I've heard, I think in this forum, that Jenson works better with the engineers at getting a car to work, but the last few races have not reflected this consideration.

Its been said lately (via Martin Brundle if i remember) he has problems setting up a car. Its also known he can't perform unless the car is exactly to his liking. Based on these, i can't imagen him being good at developing a car - imo.

I think Lewis would be much better as he can still push the car even if its not to his liking. Look at 2009 for example...

There's two sides to that though, with a driving style such as Lewis has - quite adaptable to car setup variations - it's very easy for him to drive around an issue the car has, that would be faster if it was sorted.

[aral]

Stepped nose is about raising the chassis, not the tip of the nose.

Not neccessarily. The height of the tip has an effect on the airflow below the nose. That is why McLaren already have an upturned nose. Creating a step can further lift the tip, increasing the airflow.

[CjC]

I have to say after Valencia I was really concerned by vettels pace (I still am). Immediately after the race I was searching the net for anything about updates for Sstone and I ended up here, so I read quite afew posts about this, that and the other and I saw that some are saying there is a chance of a new chassis, now I will be blown away if they have a new chassis at any point this season, nevermind in time for Sstone, this is partly down to the fact that Lewis nor jenson havent said anything about a large upgrade nevermind a new car! Also the media haven't heard these rumours of a new car, remember per-season when red bull was debuting a new exhaust at the last Jerez test? The media went crazy! Personally though I don't think raising the chassis height at this point in the season is worth it, they need to concentrate on the rear, Lewis has always said that mclaren have a good front end but lack rear grip at times. It's time mclaren copy red bulls idea now just like all the field has copied mclarens exhaust solution.

[PlatinumZealot]

I'd be amazed if they changed to a stepped nose mid season. The whole idea of this design is that it maximises airflow to the rear. Fine. But that means you need to look at the whole car's aero map - it's not a case of build a new tub, bolt on a new front wing and suddenly gain several tenths per lap. It's a change in overall concept and not to be taken lightly, especially when the current car is actually pretty competitive.

I could see changes to the exhaust system, however, to improve on the performance of this area. Most of the RB8's performance over the McLaren at Valencia was down to the exhaust system in my view. That and temperatures that hindered the McLaren.

You can... they changed the snow plow.. and that is even more drastic than just raising the underside of the nose to maximise air flow. When I say drastic I mean in function than effort.

[morefirejules08]

Would it be possible for McLaren to retain the upper profile of there nose while changing the underside to what we see on the stepped nose cars?