Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24

[natef1]

The post race BBC coverage discussed bringing the 2010 car in early in terms that made it seem it was nearly ready. Is that journalistic hyperbole or is it based on fact?

I don't remember them ever claiming it was fact, I think it was just a suggestion by Eddie Jordan, to just scrap it.

I'm not really sure on the regulations next year in terms of the car, didn't Whitmarsh say it was going to be 15cm longer?

Personally, I can see why they would want to develop this car, as long as it doesn't compromise next year's. They'd probably get the opportunity to test new ideas and parts that could in ways be relevant to the MP4-25, plus I'm sure both from a personal and commercial view they'd like to salvage some pride. Getting a car that could consistently be in the points isn't out of reach for them in my opinion, and at least they'd reclaim some credibility in the run-up to 2010.

Also, let's not forget the designers still don't really know whether they're going to be designing a car for FIA specs or some kind of alternate series, where the regs will be completely different..

[Spencifer_Murphy]

I've never heard Fernando or Schumacher insulting those in the slower cars and I certainly never saw them aggressively chopping across them in braking zones sending them down escape routes like F1 was their Birthright and all the other drivers where merely serfs for them to dismiss at their pleasure.

His attitude in the past stunk, no if buts or maybes and that's why many of us dislike him despite his obvious driving talent!

LMFAO! Schumacher? seriously, you make in genral very fair points, I my not agree with some of them, but in general fair points. THAT on the other hand is the biggest load of nonsence I've read in quite a while. You are fully aware that the "1 move to cover your line" rule was implemented BECAUSE of Schumacher's antics right?

About the second point, Lewis' immediate success in F1 sent viewing figures across the globe, especially in the states where they'd recently lost their GP race. While there is obviously no way I could know this for sure, I would assume this stat suggests that the majority of people across the globe who watch F1 actually like him.

I'm not saying he's the golden boy...not at all. I just feel he gets a lot of flack for no reason, based purely because he has been very fortunate (equipment wise) in F1 and has made some high profile mistakes which have been highlighted by his presence in a top level team.

With regards to this car again:
I cannot believe how much slower this wretched thing was through Turn 8 @ Turkey! lol. It really was quite appauling. Its a shame, because, mechanically the car is clearly quite good (in terms of grip) monaco proved this, as did Lewis' setting of the fastest 3rd sector (a long stright which he can use KERS and 3 slow tight corners) at some point in the race @ Istanbul. Its a shame the aero is so awful. Its frankly abismal tbh. I noticed the car all over the place in turn 8 in quali, the rear trying its best to get away fro Lewis, but in the race it was really highlighted running in close proximity to other cars.

[Giblet]

lol yeah Schumi's trademark, and you never saw it? In all those races?

[djos]

I've never heard Fernando or Schumacher insulting those in the slower cars and I certainly never saw them aggressively chopping across them in braking zones sending them down escape routes like F1 was their Birthright and all the other drivers where merely serfs for them to dismiss at their pleasure.

His attitude in the past stunk, no if buts or maybes and that's why many of us dislike him despite his obvious driving talent!

LMFAO! Schumacher? seriously, you make in genral very fair points, I my not agree with some of them, but in general fair points. THAT on the other hand is the biggest load of nonsence I've read in quite a while. You are fully aware that the "1 move to cover your line" rule was implemented BECAUSE of Schumacher's antics right?

About the second point, Lewis' immediate success in F1 sent viewing figures across the globe, especially in the states where they'd recently lost their GP race. While there is obviously no way I could know this for sure, I would assume this stat suggests that the majority of people across the globe who watch F1 actually like him.

I'm not saying he's the golden boy...not at all. I just feel he gets a lot of flack for no reason, based purely because he has been very fortunate (equipment wise) in F1 and has made some high profile mistakes which have been highlighted by his presence in a top level team.

<snip>

Ok so maybe im being a bit harsh in my critism as a result of the Japan incident destroying one of Mark Webbers best ever chances to win a GP but this is what I mean:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDDiXZ_KT6g[/youtube]

Not he best video but he moves over on Webber in the braking zone and that is not cool! He also did the same thing to Heiki (IIRC) and on both occasions even the one-eyed Hamilton loving ITV commentators verbally frowned upon the moves as being unsportsmanlike!

Compared with this trademark overtake from Michael on Kimi where there is no moving across on his opponent once down the inside:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNLKb4r091w[/youtube]

[bjpower]

are we talking about the same fearri driver.
more than likely the only driver ever to get a grid penalty for "parking" his car across the track during a qualli session?

[djos]

are we talking about the same fearri driver.
more than likely the only driver ever to get a grid penalty for "parking" his car across the track during a qualli session?

That happened once at monaco! [-X

[Sawtooth-spike]

this topic is about the car right?

Step back from the edge before we end up with the Standard Schumacher topic wich covers 8 pages and gets us no where!

Just some advice.

On topic, The race pace of the MP4-24 is not totaly useless. If it had not of been for turn 8 they probably would of got points. Lets face it a car made of jelly would of been more stable than the Mp4-24 through that corner!

[bjpower]

does anyone know what it is like on the tires?
is it just a lack of down force or is there an issue with the sus geometry/car balance?

[Shaddock]

I know, its crazy being arrogant in anyway, especially when you've achieved nothing, you know, youngest world champion ever, viewed as good enough to be given a drive (as a rookie) in a world championship capable car by a team not known for gifting drives to rookies.

Seems to be any excuse to beat up on the kid. While I agree its not really fair that Lewis was given a great car from the offset in his F1 carear, frankly life isn't fair, and he's proven he was good enough to be given that privalage. But that's for another discussion...

No excuse needed, I've never heard Fernando or Schumacher insulting those in the slower cars and I certainly never saw them aggressively chopping across them in braking zones sending them down escape routes like F1 was their Birthright and all the other drivers where merely serfs for them to dismiss at their pleasure.

His attitude in the past stunk, no if buts or maybes and that's why many of us dislike him despite his obvious driving talent!

Djos, you obviously have a very limited knowledge of F1 to be making such statements.

MS hitting Damon Hill in the Williams, followed by Jacque Villeneuve during title deciders. You could argue that MS lost his last chance at a world championship for not surrendering a place and tangling with a previously slower car, leading to him break his front suspension.

Fernando has been done by the FIA for brake testing a back marker couple of years ago.

All you seem to post is ignorant anti-Hamilton/McLaren rants, a more balanced and informed approach would be better received.

The McLaren doesn't appear to bad on it's tyres, given LH long runs yesterday. A lack of rear downforce appears to be the issue. They had also set the car up very stiffly, probably to avoid bottoming out in turn 8.

[gibells]

I heard news that FOTA have agreed to can KERS next year. F1 deflection aside, shouldn't McLaren dump KERS immediately to get the best out of the car this year? They must be able to improve the thing by doing that. Or am I wrong?

[timbo]

I heard news that FOTA have agreed to can KERS next year. F1 deflection aside, shouldn't McLaren dump KERS immediately to get the best out of the car this year? They must be able to improve the thing by doing that. Or am I wrong?

If they thought they can improve something by dumping KERS they'd done that in no time.
Right now, it seem like KERS is their only strong point this year.

[ISLAMATRON]

I heard news that FOTA have agreed to can KERS next year. F1 deflection aside, shouldn't McLaren dump KERS immediately to get the best out of the car this year? They must be able to improve the thing by doing that. Or am I wrong?

You are tottaly right in stating that you are WRONG! Sorry had to do it you left the door so wide open... if the car would be faster without it than they would not have it on there.

Kovi was battling with Rubans for some time and the only thing keeping him ahead was the KERS... and it sure made that part of the race more interesting. FOTA has been hijacked by Ferrari & Toyota and this banning of KERS proves it. They dont care about technical innovation, they would rather spend the money on $2k 1 time use wheelnuts. Imbeciles that they are.

[Spencifer_Murphy]

I heard news that FOTA have agreed to can KERS next year. F1 deflection aside, shouldn't McLaren dump KERS immediately to get the best out of the car this year? They must be able to improve the thing by doing that. Or am I wrong?

If they thought they can improve something by dumping KERS they'd done that in no time.
Right now, it seem like KERS is their only strong point this year.

I agree, sort of, I wouldn't say KERS is their only strong point. In ter,s of mechanical grip the cars pretty damn good. If the cars ran no wings or diffusers I'd bet Hamilton would be up there challenging for the title (completely irrelevant I know but thats how good it appears the car is mechanically and how poor it seems in terms of aero derived grip)

The perticular KERS system on the Mclaren is obviously a good 'un, and seeing as the car is so good mechanically it wouldn't cause as many problems for them to run it as it has caused for Kubica's BMW. The biggest problem for Mclaren is the aero, it seems to be lacking in overall grip, it can't generate any load, the resulting high levels of wing incidence and subsequent drag penalty, means that the KERS system might well prove almost vital to the MP4-24 keeping up with the rest on the strights.

[ISLAMATRON]

great analysis Spencifer... although this week I think even their great mechanical grip let them down when the track got really hot.

[Hangaku]

Not sure if anyone was watching the Live Timings yesterday, but through all three sector speed traps, the top speeds were set by "HAM". Assuming that this wasn't Charlie Whiting informing us of the contents of his butties, it's fair to say that the Macca still has a very fast straight line motor. Also, the official speed trap record was set by "KOV".

I have a sneaky feeling that this Macca isn't actually that far from being a good car. Hoping that this next set of aero updates (at Silverstone, please...) might make a world of difference.