McLaren have chosen some interesting design routes on their new competitor. In addition to our own technical analysis, McLaren's Tim Goss and Paddy Lowe explain why some decisions have been made in light of the regulation changes.
Not so fast. Fernando has yet to confirm that his seat is soft enough, so the season could still go wonky.mx_tifosi wrote:Thank God!! I was fearing the worst for THE BOSS!!n smikle wrote:OK guys the tyre behaviour seem OK to Hamilton..
BTW, also In the interview Hamilton also hinted that the new tyre rules wouldn't be a problem for him in the actual race.
Hear that guys, the world will be just fine now.
A booster seat should make it juuust right.Pandamasque wrote:+1
Also Nico is struggling to see above the wheel of his big Merc. That should be fixed too.
Could someone dig up what he said last year after driving that dog for the first time? Was he also so positive?Poleman wrote:Lewis Hamilton was the first driver out on the track in the morning. He took over the McLaren MP4-25 from test driver Gary Paffett who shook the car down Monday.
"The feeling was like the difference between night and day compared to the first lap in the first test day in 2009," Hamilton told ESPNF1. "It is a really positive feeling. Obviously I have kept a close eye on the development of this car, and the results we got at the end of 2009, seeing the car evolve, and having input into it, I was very excited to get into the car today to see just what parts we have improved. I got out of the car smiling, and all the problems I had in the last car I don't have with this one. But there are still a lot of areas we can improve on."
vall wrote:Could someone dig up what he said last year after driving that dog for the first time? Was he also so positive?Poleman wrote:Lewis Hamilton was the first driver out on the track in the morning. He took over the McLaren MP4-25 from test driver Gary Paffett who shook the car down Monday.
"The feeling was like the difference between night and day compared to the first lap in the first test day in 2009," Hamilton told ESPNF1. "It is a really positive feeling. Obviously I have kept a close eye on the development of this car, and the results we got at the end of 2009, seeing the car evolve, and having input into it, I was very excited to get into the car today to see just what parts we have improved. I got out of the car smiling, and all the problems I had in the last car I don't have with this one. But there are still a lot of areas we can improve on."
http://www.forumula1.net/2009/f1/lead_a ... o-be-back/Lewis Hamilton wrote:This first test was all about just getting used to the new car and the new regulations and about giving my feedback to the engineers; it wasn’t about setting a fast time. I’m pleased to report that the car feels good, we’ve made lots of progress over the winter and I’m looking forward to developing the car ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
No surprise, nearly word for word match to this year. That's why its surprising when people read so much into every word.imightbewrong wrote:http://www.forumula1.net/2009/f1/lead_a ... o-be-back/Lewis Hamilton wrote:This first test was all about just getting used to the new car and the new regulations and about giving my feedback to the engineers; it wasn’t about setting a fast time. I’m pleased to report that the car feels good, we’ve made lots of progress over the winter and I’m looking forward to developing the car ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
The oddity is that McL were just about the only team to never race a shark fin (I think), and only tested a fin a couple of times in practice sessions. I wonder why they had teh sudden change of heart?christopher.mahlon wrote:I do find it interesting that although the shark fin has been widely adopted, it has not been universally adopted. I'd like to know what aero circumstances lead teams to stay away from the shark fin concept.
Because this is more than just an aerodynamic fin. Ive heard that it might become even more tube like before the first race. They had it on last years car at the factory about the same time last year redbull attached theirs to the rear wing.richard_leeds wrote:The oddity is that McL were just about the only team to never race a shark fin (I think), and only tested a fin a couple of times in practice sessions. I wonder why they had teh sudden change of heart?christopher.mahlon wrote:I do find it interesting that although the shark fin has been widely adopted, it has not been universally adopted. I'd like to know what aero circumstances lead teams to stay away from the shark fin concept.
Never mind, we're ok.christopher.mahlon wrote:Luca, I apologize; I responded in haste, and upon reflection my reply looks harsh.
I do find it interesting that although the shark fin has been widely adopted, it has not been universally adopted. I'd like to know what aero circumstances lead teams to stay away from the shark fin concept.
Yeah, I agree with you. McLaren sure has big room for improvement, although an aerodynamics that complex may be difficult to change without risking to break something else in the aero.rifrafs2kees wrote:I won't be surprised if mclaren starts the season being second or third on pace. However, it seems their design lends itself to improvement better than the ferrari does. I might suggest the f10 is an f60 without it's deficiencies and I highly doubt that it'll gain a lot more through out the season(similar to how they started last season). Soon, mclaren should understand their relatively radical design better and make their DDD and overall packaging/aero into the thing to beat...that's if Newey isn't able to work his magic this year.
I suspect the delay of the RB6 is more to do with the late decision on the engine package rather than arrogance on Newey's part.luca wrote: I think there is a high probability that Newey will work his magic this year as well; the fact that they skipped the first winter testing could also mean they are really confident in what they are doing.
Yeah, maybe a little bit. It could be his preference though.astracrazy wrote:Button looks too tall for the air to get into the hole under the airbox
