Mc Laren MP4/23 aero-mech development in 2008

[bar555]

This thread is to point out aero and mechanical evolution of MP4/23 during 2008 season .

Mc Laren used a similar to winter testing front wing with a double profiled bridged wing , here is the wing in detail


Triple profiled front wing

1.Deep boxy spoon shape , the major amount of front downforce is produced by the central part of the wing . This
makes the wing less influenced by side wings ( when the car turns ) .

2. Τhe outer extremities ( only for the two of the three profiles ) are bending upwards to create a gap between the wing profile and the ground in order to reduce the pitch sensitivity of the car at high speed

3. Curved pillars are attached to the lower of the wing's two flaps leaving the main wing profile completely free. The result is that when airflow impacts the main profile - the foremost part of the car - it is not disrupted by turbulencefrom the pillars. This should make the front wing more efficient and also improve the quality of the airflow passing underneath the car. Increased downforce and better stability are the results .

4.Venturi Channel

5.Horizontal upper fin on the endplate

6.The endplates have a vertical shape and a sharp cut at their upper profile . They bend inwards in order to guide the airflow to the inside profile of the front wheels

7.Vertical fin under the wing

8.Connection between the wings

9.Bridged double profiled element

10.Gurney flap

A comparison between Australian wing and winter testing follows


Mc Laren was indeed not only the fastest car in Australia but the most reliable one too Not a single problem occured during the whole weekend in Melbourne

Everyone is invited to add any noticeable details

[donskar]

Great stuff bar555.

I suppose you could say McL had a problem with cockpit ergonomics. It seems HKs problem near the end of the race was caused by his inadvertently bumping a speed regulating lever. But McL does look like the class of the field off early results.

[jaho101]

Everyone complains about the winglets and such, but this front wing is so cool. I hope the 2009 season doesn't completely do away with the curves on the cars today.

[bar555]

Mc laren used a similar to Winter testing diffuser in Melbourne . The car seems not only having a great balance in cold weather during Winter testing , but in hot weather as well ( Australia GP ) .

[scarbs]

As well as the angel wing above the tail lamp (New for Australia), McLaren also revised their bargeboards before the end of testing. The top edge of the main board was cutaway along with the revised sidepod inlets (often unpainted in black carbon fibre).

Scarbs

Oh and the Renault-eque rear wing flap\endplate

[Steven]

Nice one scarbs, I didn't see the revised sidepod inlets but I'm going to look into it.

Also not that number 5, the horizontal plane on the FWEP isn't horizontal. In fact it is slightly sloping down towards the wheel.

[bar555]

Thanks Scarbs and Tomba , i will check it also ( by adding a picture of course )

I want also to thank NaZzo for his help

MC LAREN REAR WING IN AUSTRALIA

1.Pillars connecting wing to chassis
2.Gurney flap
3. The flap is separated from the rest of the endplates by a deep cut so as to provide a cleaner exit for the airflow under the main sculpted profile
4.The horizontal shark gills reduce turbulence generated by the impact of the airflow where they attach to the main profile
5. The main profile is bending upwards in a boxy way close to the endplates

[Tom Castellani]

Someone please tell me, am I seeing things?





Looks as if McLaren have sort of a mini walrus going on...

[Ratatouille]

I'm sorry but I think you're seeing things that are not there, those are normal wing pillars. A bit longer due to the higher nose in the MP4-23 than in previous years but that's all.

[Tom Castellani]

I was talking more about what looks like an opening similar to the one in the Barcelona winter test. This was from the ITV web practise highlights and after watching qualifying on TV there seems to be something visible at all angles.

I'm still worried that I'm seeing things and that it's just a shadow or something but it seems a bit too prominent for that. I'll see if I can get better pictures in a bit.

[bar555]

AUSTRALIAN GP - INDY FINS

1.Double profiled indy fin . Its role is to produce downforce
2.The vertical endplate has a sculpted lower edge to reduce the negative influence of the turbulence generated in this area by the rear wheels' rotation
3.The indy fin ( flip-ups) starts from the middle side section of the sidepods
4.The vertical extension of the Indy fin covers the inner profile of the rear wheels so as to prevent turbulence generated by the wheel’s rotation from reaching the rear wing .

Mc Laren kept the Launch Indy fin design unchanged from Winter testing to Melbourne .

[Shi Ruan]

I was talking more about what looks like an opening similar to the one in the Barcelona winter test. This was from the ITV web practise highlights and after watching qualifying on TV there seems to be something visible at all angles.

I'm still worried that I'm seeing things and that it's just a shadow or something but it seems a bit too prominent for that. I'll see if I can get better pictures in a bit.

I see what you're talking about... It's a trick of the light combined with the paintjob, I'm almost certain.

[modbaraban]

Anyone knows what made them create that 'pimple' above the vodafone on the sidepods?

[bar555]

The engine cover is like a membrane around the mechanical inner parts such as radiators and suspension parts . So under that 'pimple' above the vodafone logo is the radiator upper outer edge .

Here is better picture

[modbaraban]

It seems somewhat bizarre to me that they didn't alter the radiator shape just a little bit(more) to avoid its influence on the outer aero.