Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24

[De Jokke]

Season is over for Mclaren, race wins are still possible but the titles are now def. over. Lewis expects mcl to win as soon as silverstone which is way too late.

They should start focussing on 2009.

[ISLAMATRON]

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

Sorry for being late to the party, but I haven't seen (sorry if I missed it) anybody comment on why the TV KERS display for McLaren never shows a full battery. Maybe the battery is so small & light because the capacity is much less than the maximum 400kJ allowed.

They can still store/release the maximum 400kJ per lap, just not at one go.

The FIA display actually does NOT show how much charge is in the battery, it shows how much time the SECU has remaining for the KERS output(6.67 seconds per lap). If you watch carefully you will see that the FIA KERS display resets to full when they cross the start/finish line when we know that KERS is only allowed to be recharged under braking.

The display shows how much KERS output time they have remaining, not the charge level of the battery. But your point of McLaren not having battery capacity to hold a full charge of 400kJ may still hold true.

[PlatinumZealot]

I have a hunch the battery can be charged way more than 400KJ.. it is just that only that amount can be used and only that amount can be shown on the meter.

[PlatinumZealot]

I like this F1 season but not as much as i would like...

Hamilton is the rightful champion this year, who are these clowns on top of the charts? what is going on?!

[myurr]

It seems Hamilton is running the interim diffuser used in Bahrain, while Kovalainen is running a new version. It seems they finally opened it up a bit more, but those photos are not conclusive.

tbh you can't see anything from those photos ...

That was certainly the case earlier in the weekend but in qualifying it looked like Hamilton was running the new diffuser as well - at least it looked that way on the TV.

[roost89]

It seems Hamilton is running the interim diffuser used in Bahrain, while Kovalainen is running a new version. It seems they finally opened it up a bit more, but those photos are not conclusive.

tbh you can't see anything from those photos ...

That was certainly the case earlier in the weekend but in qualifying it looked like Hamilton was running the new diffuser as well - at least it looked that way on the TV.

I know they had a new front wing (FW4 as Ted called it) and both Heikki and Lewis didn't take it. There's also a chance that Mclaren took other parts that weren't used.

[PlatinumZealot]

Yeah the diffuser is new. Check on the official website in the technical section.

[Michiba]

Interesting to see that the engine is covered like that. Is that to improve flow under the engine cover?

[timbo]

Interesting to see that the engine is covered like that. Is that to improve flow under the engine cover?

Mybe it is also some sort of thermo-insulation? Maybe they can run engine at higher operating temperatures (almost as adiabatic engine) and therefore need more cooling?

[Callum]

Interesting to see that the engine is covered like that. Is that to improve flow under the engine cover?

Mybe it is also some sort of thermo-insulation? Maybe they can run engine at higher operating temperatures (almost as adiabatic engine) and therefore need more cooling?

It's just an idea but maybe its to keep the inlet manafold from heating up because of the exhaust. But my guess is its just thermo-unsulation.

[zgred]

KERS in sidepod

[alelanza]

The FIA display actually does NOT show how much charge is in the battery, it shows how much time the SECU has remaining for the KERS output(6.67 seconds per lap)

Alonso explained their system was %/energy based, and even though they would almost always use 80 bhp, they could also tone it down and use it for longer. I would imagine McLaren's is similar

[ISLAMATRON]

quite possible, if they lower its output they can use it out of the corner sooner as well

[Callum]

I wonder why the KERS system is now on the driver's left sidepod, lastime i thought it was on the right?

[Metar]

So with the video and pictures, we have the most photographic evidence on McLaren's KERS and Renault's diffusers. Nice. =D>

quite possible, if they lower its output they can use it out of the corner sooner as well

It also wouldn't show a difference on the FIA screens - sadly. After all, showing (time left/6.67s-at-full-power) is equal to showing (energy left/400kJ).