McLaren's plastic surgery: relocating ears
McLaren have updated the cockpit ears by repositioning them to the height of the sidepods. It remains to be seen if this is a measure taken for Monza only or if this will be a permanent development. The winglet itself has largely retained the same shape with a rounded outer edge to decrease induced drag. To further improve on that side effect, the trailing edge of the stabiliser tips are neutral towards the airflow. In effect this winglet will do the same as in its previous location: guiding more air smoothly into the sidepod.
Also note that the mirrors on the car have been redesigned as well. They are now positioned much lower and closer to the cockpit.
This would indicate that the winglet performs two relevant functions:
1. It smooths the air that has been disturbed by its passage past the front suspension, and directs it into the low pressure area ahead of the side pod opening.
And 2. The winglet\'s location prevents any turbulent air flow at this point from spilling over the top of the nose and colliding with the mirror thereby further reducing the drag produced by the mirror itself.