Mclaren Mercedes MP4-25

[astracrazy]

unless they plan on air being drawn in from the sides?

[luca]

Hamilton almost covers it too though (not as much as Button does): http://www.grandprix.com/jpeg/ah/valenc ... ng8-xl.jpg

[jason.parker.86]

The McLaren looks too over engineered...

Too Complex, Too Many Curves... McLaren please remove that stupid fin, cut a few feet from buttons legs, and stop using toxic waste on your rear end.!

Must admit, the cars looks alot nicer this year compared to last year. Looked like carbon boxes last year! Not sure about the white on the ferrari, looks cheap.

Although - I wonder if that DDD has room for a third driver in there

[astracrazy]

o well, they must know what they are doing....air must come in from the sides, around the drivers head

[Tbox]

Hamilton almost covers it too though (not as much as Button does): http://www.grandprix.com/jpeg/ah/valenc ... ng8-xl.jpg

Yeah, I would imagine that air could be drawn around & over the helmet. I wouldn't think they'd expect too much airflow through that hole anyhow.

On an utterly unrelated note, have a closer look at that picture you posted:


And think about the discussion the other day re: the hole on the nose, around level with the F in vodafone.

Is it me, or is that half of the nose also V shaped, like the red bull - but the other half is flat, like the launch car.

(edit: yes, apparently it is just me... Sorry!)

That's also the same side all the Flo-vis was on yesterday.

I smell a V nose a-comin'!!!

<edit>
It may be a trick of the perspective but the front wing endplate also looks a little dirrerent at the top...
</edit>

[luca]

Is it me, or is that half of the nose also V shaped, like the red bull - but the other half is flat, like the launch car.

I think it is just a shadow making it look like that.
Anyway, never say never.

[Tbox]

Is it me, or is that half of the nose also V shaped, like the red bull - but the other half is flat, like the launch car.

I think it is just a shadow making it look like that.
Anyway, never say never.

Bah, looks like you're right - looks more like a reflection of the pitot tube on top when you zoom in.

Sorry! Over excited, obviously...

[Grant25]

Close up of new vent on the McLaren at todays test.


Thanks to Scarbsf1 on twitter for the images. Check him out for loads of live test information and pictures.

[Sambo]

Close up of new vent on the McLaren at todays test.


Thanks to Scarbsf1 on twitter for the images. Check him out for loads of live test information and pictures.

I think that was there yesterday when lewis was in the car, but well spotted though!!

[rifrafs2kees]

Close up of new vent on the McLaren at todays test.


Thanks to Scarbsf1 on twitter for the images. Check him out for loads of live test information and pictures.

It looks to me like mclaren is testing the red bull "nose ridges"..whatever it's called..the thing ferrari and the others have taken to. That little air inlet might house a sensor for reading to check the effectiveness of the design.If u look closely, you can see the raised ridge on only one side of that nose

[Raptor22]

HUH?

Its an air vent inlet!
Likely for the electronic hardware behind the steering wheel
Othe cars have a NACA duct in similar position for electronics cooling,

[rifrafs2kees]

HUH?

Its an air vent inlet!
Likely for the electronic hardware behind the steering wheel
Othe cars have a NACA duct in similar position for electronics cooling,

I see the duct you're talking about..whether it's for just cooling or not I don't know. What I am primarily refering to is the raised ridge that runs along the right side of the duct when looking at the pic...not from the driver's perspective.

[BreezyRacer]

It could very well be a bleed off, which keeps the airflow into the in main inlet from getting disturbed. I'm not saying that's not for cooling but by positioning in area where a stagnant high pressure area can build and disturb the main inlet, it keeps the inlet airflow fully charged. Just a thought ..

[Vasco]

I think what you are seeing is the reflection of the pitot tube that is mounted on the nose.

[Shaddock]

The McLaren looks too over engineered...

Too Complex, Too Many Curves... McLaren please remove that stupid fin, cut a few feet from buttons legs, and stop using toxic waste on your rear end.!

Must admit, the cars looks alot nicer this year compared to last year. Looked like carbon boxes last year! Not sure about the white on the ferrari, looks cheap.

Although - I wonder if that DDD has room for a third driver in there

Removing the fin isn't that easy anymore, it's not just the external aero but the internal aero as well. The base of the fin hides the oil cooler and other components that need the cool air. They would need to do some major re plumbing to remove it completely.