Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24

[danny224]

TBH i love it its much better then the F60 or MP4-23

[PlatinumZealot]

Interesting that starter hole is to the side.

My guess, they Just use a swiveling/flexible joint. Just like a drive shaft, or a socket wrench extension doesn't have to be a single straight line to transmit torque.

[modbaraban]

I think I spotted a double decker during Heikki's pitstop! I'll try to get the pic with the right angle.


UPD:

[joseff]

Hmm? Looks like the radiator exit.
Btw I'm sure I've seen that diffuser since Melbourne Qualifying.

[wesley123]

the part you poining at is just the wishbone.

This is an radiator exit but the wishbone points through it, on the other side it doent have this big hole

[timbo]

This would be not very clever for any team that didn't started with double-decker to introduce it at this moment, before knowing outcome of hearings.

[nudger]

i did hear they were to use a new floor, that would be the basis of the china upgrades... not sure if they intended to use it for the race or if it was just for friday?

so what do you guys think of the cars pace.
For me, im surprised how quick it was, i think they have made huge inroads from where they found themselves at the barcelone test.
There are other big teams that really arnt very far ahead of them at the moment.

[modbaraban]

This is an radiator exit but the wishbone points through it, on the other side it doent have this big hole

You're right. I think it's KERS related (the extra inlet is on the left side too). That may be the reason why the starter hole is moved to the right.

[bonjon1979]

Analysis on F1.com of Mclaren's sidepod.

http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/ ... 6/635.html

[JamesS]

You could certainly see today where the car lacked. Consistently in the middle sector they were between 0.5 - 0.7 slower than the top guys. Both McLarens had good pace in S1 and S3 though.

[De Jokke]

This race was again a mess for kovy, lewis did pretty well considering the lack of downforce + rain.

Any news on china updates?

[bonjon1979]

I'm not sure what updates they're bringing to China but unless it's a tele-porter/afterburner on the evidence of today's fastest laps they have no chance of catching up with the Brawns

hamilton: 1:39.141

Button: 1:36.641

What was really frightening was how Button decided to just turn it on when the cars in front pitted. They've obviously got so much performance in that car, they can qualify heavy and if they do lose out during the first stint they have the ability to overtake in the pitstops by putting in some extremely quick laps when they have a clear track. Scary stuff. I've been optimistic and encouraged by the progress that's been made with MP4-24 but I just can't see it making up 2.5 seconds. Can anyone else?

[nudger]

no i cant, but then i dont think its 2.5 seconds slower.
fastest laps is not a good way to compare IMO.

Mclaren think they are around about 0.8 - 1.0 behind the brawns in average lap time.

[timbo]

Mclaren think they are around about 0.8 - 1.0 behind the brawns in average lap time.

This is much too optimistic. Truth is nobody can catch up with Brawn ATM and that update can't change much unless it is completely rebuilt car.

[nudger]

both brawn and mclaren set their fastest laps more or less the same period...brawn lap 18, mclaren lap 17.
the mclaren had nearly 30kg more fuel