2022 - McLaren Formula 1 Team

[JPower]

Interesting thanks. He mentions the flo vis shows flow issues on the Mclaren and blames the outdated Cologne wind tunnel for the correlation issues.

Yes, and he worked in McLaren's aero department at one point so he knows better than maybe anyone doing these types of videos for the public.

[JordanMugen]

Of all the things to be underperforming, who on Earth ever thought it would be the engine.

Interesting thanks. He mentions the flo vis shows flow issues on the Mclaren and blames the outdated Cologne wind tunnel for the correlation issues.

key said the outdated simulator mclaren is using is missing data and information.

Why not race as a Renault customer and use the Alpine wind tunnel and simulator?

I don't understand McLaren going their own way, instead of aligning with the works Alpine team. (And then complaining about too many B-teams on the grid, instead of joining the action!)

If McLaren facilities are outdated, if neither Alpine or McLaren can independently afford an AVL dyno then why not join resources just like Mercedes and Aston Martin, Ferrari and HAAS, or Red Bull and AlphaTauri? The Renault block united against the rest - it's so logical IMO.

The tie-up could work nicely with road cars too, if McLaren are still having issues with electronics, switchgear and infotainment, they could draw from the Renault-Nissan parts bin and quality processes to improve their road car quality control, just as Lamborghini road cars use VW-Audi parts.

Andreas Seidl:

"But it’s not a secret that in general definitely these relationships that can exist within the regulations, how they are in place at the moment is a concern for us." Seidl has requested the FIA to review this.

So either be stuck with Mercedes, swap to Renault or make their own engine.

Why did they change to Mercedes (who already have a close alliance with Racing Point/Aston Martin) instead of forging a closer alliance with Renault in the first place?

Perhaps a short-term gain in engine power, but it seemed to undermine their potential to create a long-term strategic alliance with Renault?

[_cerber1]

Why did they change to Mercedes (who already have a close alliance with Racing Point/Aston Martin) instead of forging a closer alliance with Renault in the first place?

Perhaps a short-term gain in engine power, but it seemed to undermine their potential to create a long-term strategic alliance with Renault?

Because Renault set unacceptable conditions for McLaren, which actually made it a B team. Renault wanted full technical control over McLaren, so that in addition to the engine they also used chassis parts, which is not acceptable for a team like McLaren. Yes, now they are having difficulties, but they are on the right path to solve them, the infrastructure is growing and being updated, the engineering staff is strong, the pilots are of a very high level, there is no reason to become dependent on them.

[Ground Effect]

Of all the things to be underperforming, who on Earth ever thought it would be the engine.

Interesting thanks. He mentions the flo vis shows flow issues on the Mclaren and blames the outdated Cologne wind tunnel for the correlation issues.

key said the outdated simulator mclaren is using is missing data and information.

Why not race as a Renault customer and use the Alpine wind tunnel and simulator?

I don't understand McLaren going their own way, instead of aligning with the works Alpine team. (And then complaining about too many B-teams on the grid, instead of joining the action!)

If McLaren facilities are outdated, if neither Alpine or McLaren can independently afford an AVL dyno then why not join resources just like Mercedes and Aston Martin, Ferrari and HAAS, or Red Bull and AlphaTauri? The Renault block united against the rest - it's so logical IMO.

The tie-up could work nicely with road cars too, if McLaren are still having issues with electronics, switchgear and infotainment, they could draw from the Renault-Nissan parts bin and quality processes to improve their road car quality control, just as Lamborghini road cars use VW-Audi parts.

Andreas Seidl:

"But it’s not a secret that in general definitely these relationships that can exist within the regulations, how they are in place at the moment is a concern for us." Seidl has requested the FIA to review this.

So either be stuck with Mercedes, swap to Renault or make their own engine.

Why did they change to Mercedes (who already have a close alliance with Racing Point/Aston Martin) instead of forging a closer alliance with Renault in the first place?

Perhaps a short-term gain in engine power, but it seemed to undermine their potential to create a long-term strategic alliance with Renault?

Why would anybody with ambition partner with Renault, a team who's own ambition is unclear, especially under a B-Team arrangement? Renault are not exactly settling the grid alight, in their 7th season after returning. They've gone through more management changes, than oasis went through drummers. If they were a genuinely serious project, with all the cost saving they've done and focusing on the future, they should have been the team celebrating a 1-2 finish in Bahrain. It's ugly for McLaren now, but I see no benefit from teaming up with Renault.... Alpine..

[Vasco]

https://www.planetf1.com/news/mclaren-s ... e-problem/

"Key explained that the mass overhaul in regulations for the 2022 season had thrown up problems they did not expect, and that they were discovering that things tested in simulations did not always correlate to on-track performance."

<------ In previous interviews which have been posted here many times, key said the outdated simulator mclaren is using is missing data and information. It seems he was correct based on this latest statement from key. Notice how Ferrari who just recently updated to the latest and greatest simulator on the grid, has an incredibly quick car and not having the issues the Mclaren has.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... gMuyT.html

All we can do now is be patient and not get our expectations too high until the new wing tunnel end of this year and new latest and greatest simulator mid 2023 arrives.

BSport addressed the correlation issues and more starting around 5:18.

Could it be that they used all that flow-vis in FP to understand the flow without their original brake concept? Could they have been trying to use the air coming out of the front brake ducts to almost shield the bodywork from the front-tyre wake?

[taperoo2k]

Why did they change to Mercedes (who already have a close alliance with Racing Point/Aston Martin) instead of forging a closer alliance with Renault in the first place?

Perhaps a short-term gain in engine power, but it seemed to undermine their potential to create a long-term strategic alliance with Renault?

Because Renault set unacceptable conditions for McLaren, which actually made it a B team. Renault wanted full technical control over McLaren, so that in addition to the engine they also used chassis parts, which is not acceptable for a team like McLaren. Yes, now they are having difficulties, but they are on the right path to solve them, the infrastructure is growing and being updated, the engineering staff is strong, the pilots are of a very high level, there is no reason to become dependent on them.

With the engine regulations changing in a few years time and the possibility of new manufacturers entering, it makes sense for McLaren to have switched to Mercedes while building new infrastructure like the wind tunnel. Which should become operational sometime next year I think. They must be planning on attracting a new manufacturer for a works deal once the regulations change.

The struggles the team likely face this season will test how good the structures McLaren have in place. If they can fix the brake issues and overcome aero issues, then I think they will be able to claw their way up the midfield over the course of the season.

[PlatinumZealot]

Remember the last time McLaren blamed the engine? Turned out their chassis was draggy and lacking downforce.

[Ground Effect]

Remember the last time McLaren blamed the engine? Turned out their chassis was draggy and lacking downforce.

Have they blamed the engine? That would be very odd, are there any reports on this?

[HPD]

Remember the last time McLaren blamed the engine? Turned out their chassis was draggy and lacking downforce.

Have they blamed the engine? That would be very odd, are there any reports on this?

haha believe me .. it is better not to touch that subject.

[SmallSoldier]

Remember the last time McLaren blamed the engine? Turned out their chassis was draggy and lacking downforce.

No need to troll.

[Emag]

Remember the last time McLaren blamed the engine? Turned out their chassis was draggy and lacking downforce.

The 2017 honda power unit was an unreliable mess and severily underpowered compared to the competition.

It doesn't matter what happened in 2018 and onwards. The power unit which McLaren criticized absolutely deserved the criticism it got.

[PlatinumZealot]

Remember the last time McLaren blamed the engine? Turned out their chassis was draggy and lacking downforce.

No need to troll.

Explain how is that fact trolling?

[SmallSoldier]

Remember the last time McLaren blamed the engine? Turned out their chassis was draggy and lacking downforce.

No need to troll.

Explain how is that fact trolling?

Well… First, the 2017 engine was subpar, with less power than the 2016 engine, an engine that blew itself into pieces more times than it actually completed races and that limited the mileage on the car so much, that even understanding it’s problems was a Herculean task… Therefore McLaren blaming that engine wasn’t wrong… You are also drawing a link between the 2018 MCL33 lack of downforce and drag to the MCL32, which again is wrong.

But regardless of the above:

A) Is McLaren blaming the engine? No, they aren’t… Therefore you are creating a narrative in order to elicit a reaction… You are just trolling
B) Why bring in 2022 an issue from 2017 that will just create an argument? This will just create a discussion that has been done ad nauseam, that has polarizing opinions and that adds no value whatsoever to the 2022 McLaren thread… You are just trolling

I guess you achieved what you wanted, elicit a reaction based on a post that adds absolute no value… And I bit the bait… Trolling effort was successful!

[EddyBaggio]

So, any news about upgrades or fixes for Saudi?

What can we expect? Better/Worse?

[MrMclaren]

So, any news about upgrades or fixes for Saudi?

What can we expect? Better/Worse?

Can it get any worse?