Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24

[Shaddock]

With no testing between races, surely the better approach is to bring something new to each race, so you can evaluate it's ontrack performance, so you know you are going in the right direction. Bring a whole bunch to one race, and it's harder to tell which bits work and which bit don't perform as expected.

[ISLAMATRON]

With no testing between races, surely the better approach is to bring something new to each race, so you can evaluate it's ontrack performance, so you know you are going in the right direction. Bring a whole bunch to one race, and it's harder to tell which bits work and which bit don't perform as expected.

I was about to say that exact thing +1

[timbo]

With no testing between races, surely the better approach is to bring something new to each race, so you can evaluate it's ontrack performance, so you know you are going in the right direction. Bring a whole bunch to one race, and it's harder to tell which bits work and which bit don't perform as expected.

With some things it doesn't work exactly like step-by-step, or you won't be able to extract everything.

[pipex]

From ATLAS F1 (user peroa)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4_Nmr2Hmwc
It shows how small is the complete system, a superb piece of engineering

[ISLAMATRON]

good GOD! I'm in LOVE! I need a couple of those for my track car. 80 free HP in that small a package! How could anyone think that this tech cant be eventually road relevent.

Can anyone give us a translation?

[Metar]

Working on it. The technician's accent is hilarious.

First bit: Explaining which part is what.

Shiny round thing: Generator, harnesses electricity during the braking-phase.
Orange thing: Power control unit, which manages the whole process from "harvest" to deployment.
Ugly other thing: Battery pack.

Second bit: Some general explanation by Haug:
Haug says energy can only be harnessed during braking. Also says it's been under development for over two years. Weighs 25kg complete. They both say it's probably the lightest system there is ("we can't measure the others, but that's what we hear"). Says Merc's roadcar department helped enormously ("wouldn't have made it in time otherwise").

Third bit: What goes where?
2:04 - they point at the very point the KERS engine hooks up to the ICU V8.
The battery-pack goes to the far bottom of the sidepod, it's the densest part in the sidepod except ballast and so must be placed lowest.

Fourth bit: Discussion on safety and reliability.
Engineer-guy says it's a problem and a concern, but they haven't had a single "problem like Ferrari had" (they say their batteries never exploded). Haug says their pace is dependant on it, and they'd be slower without the system. They explain that their carbon-fibre is extremely conductive, and that they've tried their best to isolate.

Haug says it takes them half a second to store the energy for a whole lap. The F1Technical calculations strike again!

Haug also says the Red Bull RB05 is fast because of it's great aerodynamics and because they have their ballast to play with - "All non-KERS teams have 30-40kg more ballast to play with, but the way I know Adrian [Newey], Red Bull have far more than 30kg to spare."

[ISLAMATRON]

outstanding! only 25kg!

thanks for the translation

[Callum]

wow, the motor/generator is tiny compared to ferrari's one.

It all looks so neat and simple.

[timbo]

wow, the motor/generator is tiny compared to ferrari's one.

You have pictures?

[pipex]

Thanks Metar for the translation, i didn't understand a thing from the video

[shotzski]

From watching the video about Mclaren KERS, Norbert said that the battery is placed on the right sidepod and the control unit on the left. To my understanding, the battery runs hot, thus needed to be cooled more efficiently. How come the extra vent is placed on the left sidepod (Control unit), and not on the battery side?

[Fil]

for those in the UK, here's Brundle's attempt at the same interview.

hopefully sum Brit will be kind enough to record it and post on youtube or sumwhere for all to enjoy!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsp ... 019577.stm

[kilcoo316]

Says Merc's roadcar department helped enormously ("wouldn't have made it in time otherwise").

Just an aside... how would the FIA budget cap such involvement?

[ISLAMATRON]

Says Merc's roadcar department helped enormously ("wouldn't have made it in time otherwise").

Just an aside... how would the FIA budget cap such involvement?

probably the same way they will do the manufacturer engines... basically I have no idea

[kilcoo316]

basically I have no idea

I think the real question is... do they have any idea either?