McLaren MP4-26 Mercedes

[Shaddock]

Okay, so A-Level physics doesn't translate that well to analysing F1 car aerodynamics...

If it was an A-level in the last 10 years, probably no...

You'd better make that 20 years, or anytime before it went modular, 10 years ago it was still a joke.

[clarkiesyeah]

If you look just to the left under the rear crash structure, close to the gearbox, there would appear to be an exhaust exit, i can't tell what else it could be. It is pointing in the general direction of the turning vain, although it is hard to tell its true direction from this angle.

Then where's the corresponding right hand exhaust. Are they running asymmetrical exhausts?

Although i think it's hidden from view by the rear wheel/brake duct etc, I wouldn't put asymmetrical exhausts past Mclaren, they have a thing for asymmetry.

[Just_a_fan]

Okay, so A-Level physics doesn't translate that well to analysing F1 car aerodynamics...

If it was an A-level in the last 10 years, probably no...

You'd better make that 20 years, or anytime before it went modular, 10 years ago it was still a joke.

Mine was a little over 20 years ago...

[volarchico]

He posted two sketches on his twitter:

http://yfrog.com/hskieqsj
http://yfrog.com/h2qyjdpj

I guess I should have been more specific. I was hoping for a sketch that shows the layout of the exhaust from the previous picture that I had quoted. In that image, it shows the exhaust curving at least 90 deg inward but after that the image does not show where they exit. The sketches you linked only show the normal rear facing exhaust.

[scarbs]

If you look at my drawing with the car stripped you can see a crease in the floor (highlighted yellow) This is the allow the "U" bend exhaust. my guess is the exhaust system moves the collector outboard and the secondary pipe curves back inboard. From there who knows where the exhaust goes, it coud either backward under the gearbox, upward over the gearbox or forwards alongside the chassis like Renault have done. There's been no positive sighting of the front exit, Journo's in the Jerez pitlane tell me there is a front exit. IF so I dont think Mac have run the FEE for for few days, as the aero rakes they've been runnign woudl have melted with the heat.

[volarchico]

If you look at my drawing with the car stripped you can see a crease in the floor (highlighted yellow) This is the allow the "U" bend exhaust. my guess is the exhaust system moves the collector outboard and the secondary pipe curves back inboard. From there who knows where the exhaust goes, it coud either backward under the gearbox, upward over the gearbox or forwards alongside the chassis like Renault have done. There's been no positive sighting of the front exit, Journo's in the Jerez pitlane tell me there is a front exit. IF so I dont think Mac have run the FEE for for few days, as the aero rakes they've been runnign woudl have melted with the heat.

Ok, thanks! The mystery remains...I'll try to wait patiently for the first definitive picture/proof.

[chasefreak]

someone pls tell me wat this FEE is ....... i am so confused abt the whole FEE thing

[Richard]

FEE = Front Exit Exhaust

more here viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9450

[gibells]

hmmm. Who needs paint!

[Raptor22]

FEE = Front Exit Exhaust?
A bit of tautology there.

Would Forward Exhaust not be simpler

Anyways every year we make up some science and coin new acronyms for the science anyways so whatever goes

[segedunum]

They've probably experimented with goodness knows how many exhaust positions which is why we can't keep up. In one picture it looked as if the exhausts curved inwards somewhere. If they were tinkering in an area then that would be fine, but it looks as if they have looked at forward facing exhausts as well as more conventional rear facing ones. It doesn't inspire confidence. You should have that worked out definitively before you get to a test.

[Just_a_fan]

You should have that worked out definitively before you get to a test.

Maybe they have got it worked out - maybe they've worked out that different configurations have different strengths and weaknesses. Maybe they plan to run different systems depending on the track - say one for high downforce tracks and a different one for low downforce tracks.

Maybe they're following a systematic assessment methodology.

It doesn't inspire confidence.

Why would you want to be confident in them? They're not Red Bull so surely you'd want to be confident that they are at sixes and sevens.

Damn, I think I might just have fed the troll...

[segedunum]

Maybe they're following a systematic assessment methodology.

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_ronspeak.php

This is not a Red Bull thread and I didn't mention them, so I've no idea why people are taking this off-topic by bringing them up here.

It must be squeaky bum time......

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

I wonder if a team has a various ideas, do they go with one, or do they test it against another idea? Rhetorical question...

For me it makes sense to test 2/3/4 different solutions to get real world feed back. Its all very well berating Mclaren as clueless, but what they are doing here is comparing solutions.

The Mclaren has a unique concept, so whatever works for Red Bull or Renault may not particularly work well for Mclarens concept of the MP4-26.

Talking in absolute terms regards unfinished car in testing is ludicrous.

[Richard]

It doesn't inspire confidence. You should have that worked out definitively before you get to a test.

It must be squeaky bum time......

Seg - you seem to say that every year about McLaren. They are testing, its what they do every year.