2022 - McLaren Formula 1 Team

[Darth-Piekus]

To be honest there's time in just the setup work again now, the front brakes being back to the original concept means the work they did for front tyre heating the previous few GPs doesn't work the same any more

Are you saying that we haven't optimised the new brake system yet and we yet can find more time closing the gap more to the front?

Seems that Aston Martin cannot easily copy a Red Bull design as their base is completely different.

[SmallSoldier]

3 sector down
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTR-9SDXEAA ... =4096x4096

On a somewhat unrelated note, with Copy Point (Aston) running with a replica of RedBull's sidepods here sort of proves how little the sidepod shape has to do with the ultimate pace of the car if the base platform is weak mechanically.

Of course, the little details is what gets you the last half a second or so you need to challenge for the title. But when your car is super slow, a better sidepod configuration isn't going to magically pull you to the front. I say this because a lot of people here on the forums were heavily blaming McLaren's sidepod design after Bahrain thinking (wrongly) that their lack of pace was hugely caused because they hadn't gone for a wide sidepod configuration like RedBull and Ferrari.

Aston is living proof that unless your car has a strong foundation, no matter how good the bodywork aero is, it will not make you a front-runner.

Spot on comment!

I would be still cautious with Aston Martin, even though they were out of qualifying today in Q1, they don’t know anything about the package and it will take them a while to fully exploit it (look how at how much McLaren gained from understanding the MCL36 and improving setup from Bahrain to Miami)

[Darth-Piekus]

Spot on comment!

I would be still cautious with Aston Martin, even though they were out of qualifying today in Q1, they don’t know anything about the package and it will take them a while to fully exploit it (look how at how much McLaren gained from understanding the MCL36 and improving setup from Bahrain to Miami)

Hopefully Mclaren can gain a lot by understanding that new upgrade in the following races. I have a feeling the car has much more to give than that.

[SmallSoldier]

Spot on comment!

I would be still cautious with Aston Martin, even though they were out of qualifying today in Q1, they don’t know anything about the package and it will take them a while to fully exploit it (look how at how much McLaren gained from understanding the MCL36 and improving setup from Bahrain to Miami)

Hopefully Mclaren can gain a lot by understanding that new upgrade in the following races. I have a feeling the car has much more to give than that.

There will be gains from a setup perspective, PhillipM has mentioned already that what they were doing for front tire warm up or getting them into the optimum operating window will now be a bit different with the new front brakes (well, the revised initial design)… We know that having the tires in the optimum window is what brings the most amount of mechanical grip and lap time, it will probably take another race or two to exploit them to the fullest… There is probably a little bit more time from just overall setup of the new package.

But, I don’t think those setup improvements will bring them to fight to the front just yet… The target is to be comfortable 4th behind the usual top 3 (which Mercedes seems to be rejoining).

[Szabi1112]

We are terribly sh*t in s3 :/

[Darth-Piekus]

The car is still struggling and for some reason while Alfa and Haas found more time than Mclaren despite bringing less than Mclaren. We shal see though in that second run in Q2.

Not sure why we can't clear up the midfield after one big upgrade.

[blastdoman]

Norris out. The car is where always has been. The same problems as the last three years. This is very frustating

[Darth-Piekus]

Time deleted unfortunately. I will lie if I say that it doesn't bother me or the fact that the team is losing from smaller teams.

[Emag]

Unfortunate for Lando. Let's hope the new gen cars can race better in Spain.

I think on the long run they should definitely have enough to clear the Haas, and maybe Bottas too.

[101FlyingDutchman]

19.7 (yes lap time deleted) but the speed is in the car.

[Szabi1112]

Unfortunate for Lando. Let's hope the new gen cars can race better in Spain.

I think on the long run they should definitely have enough to clear the Haas, and maybe Bottas too.

Problem is impossible to overtake in this circuit.

[blastdoman]

19.7 (yes lap time deleted) but the speed is in the car.

1.19.977

[101FlyingDutchman]

19.7 (yes lap time deleted) but the speed is in the car.

1.19.977

You’re right. Still 0.7s behind VER isn’t too bad. There’s a lot more to find in dialling in the new package I’m sure

[Macklaren]

P7 (before time deletion) without understanding and properly setting up this package is not too bad. Add the new Merc engine and there is more to come for sure

[Darth-Piekus]

What do you think of the Track Limit? Should they have been more lenient? It was a few milimeters and I don't think Lando would gain if he touched the sand. Maybe I'm mistaken but I feel Mclaren is getting punished too easily.

Of course that won't be a problem again once they understand the package fully.