MP4-26 diffuser material

[tinvek]

what it means is that there must be at least that much weight on each "axle", it doesn't mean that that both minimum figures can be met at the same time,i.e. if you hit 342 kg on the rear, you'll need 298 kg on the front, not the permitted minimum of 291 kg.

the idea's to limit the variation in weight distribution this year to stop one team getting lucky with a weight dist that suits the pirellis, next season when everyone has 12 months experienc ewith them, they are free to use a wider range of distribution

[raymondu999]

I see hollow's point. 291+342 minimum on each axle. So it could be anything from 298+342, to 291+349. I get that. Now let's say the weight distribution is, x:640-x. Whatever X may be. But that is, with the driver inside. How exactly do they measure that?!

[shelly]

But that is, with the driver inside. How exactly do they measure that?!

With the driver inside.

[raymondu999]

No, what I mean is, do scrutineers actually go and weigh the thing with the driver inside? I've never seen that happen.

[Dragonfly]

I'd imagine the opposite - driver and car go to the scrutineers to get weighted
With 4 point electronic scales it's not a complicated process.

[hollowBallistix]

No, what I mean is, do scrutineers actually go and weigh the thing with the driver inside? I've never seen that happen.

I've never seen that either, but the driver would effectively act as a ballast, so they would have to weigh the car & driver to see if the minimum front & rear weights distrubition limits are met & that the total minimum weight is over the 640kg

How do they take into considration the fuel that may be left in the tank after qualifying ? if for examble during pre season testing one of the teams found that the car performed better with a weight distrabution that falls outside the guidelines, surely they could get around it based on the fuel weight & shape/position of the tank in the car ?

[shelly]

No, what I mean is, do scrutineers actually go and weigh the thing with the driver inside? I've never seen that happen.

IIRC cars are tested this way random during Fp and qualy; the driver coming into the pitlane stops in the FIA garage and the car is quickly weighted and measured

[McG]

I think they do random driver in car weigh ins. Think I remember some drivers qualifying being ruined by it.

On the weight distribution of the heavier titanium diffuser....

Isn't weight distribution quite an important thing? Unless just by chance the extra weight of the titanium didn't compromise the balance.


McLaren will be testing s diffuser made of ice cream. Sorry no source.

[adrianjordan]

I think they do random driver in car weigh ins. Think I remember some drivers qualifying being ruined by it.

Yes I remember a few occasions back in his BAR/Honda days when Button missed the cut because of being called in to be weighed...

[MikeFromCanada]

McLaren MP4-26 - revised exhaust layout 27 March 2011

Both Ferrari and McLaren have followed Red Bull in the layout of their exhaust systems, but while the Scuderia had theirs on the car at the last Barcelona test, complete with new sidepods and aero package, the Woking team only prepared their new pieces in time for Australian Grand Prix. The exhausts are longer and blow into a cut-out outside section of the diffuser (as on the Red Bull). Another change is that the diffuser is now made in titanium (highly resistant to heat), using a quick prototyping technique.

This was here --> http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/ ... 4/845.html on the F1 website and this does confirm the diffuser has been made of Titanium...I would have thought 100% it was carbon with the Zircotec coating but I guess not.

It wouldn't be the first time the technical section of F1.com was wrong, if it is indeed wrong. Still, though, I'd still be leaning towards titanium based on surface finish alone.

[Muulka]

I think they do random driver in car weigh ins. Think I remember some drivers qualifying being ruined by it.

On the weight distribution of the heavier titanium diffuser....

Isn't weight distribution quite an important thing? Unless just by chance the extra weight of the titanium didn't compromise the balance.


McLaren will be testing s diffuser made of ice cream. Sorry no source.

I'm pretty sure that Kobayashi got a grid penalty last year for not coming in to be weighed. Can't remember where though....

[forty-two]

[quote="Muulka"
I'm pretty sure that Kobayashi got a grid penalty last year for not coming in to be weighed. Can't remember where though....[/quote]

Yep, I too remember that, but I too (wierdly!) can't be sure where it was.

I remember seeing a marshall/FIA official in the pitlane gesturing Kobayashi to turn into the FIA garage but he didn't. IIRC he was already annoyed about something, and I think in the heat of the moment he failed to see the bloke.

[Fil]

McLaren MP4-26 - revised exhaust layout 27 March 2011

...Another change is that the diffuser is now made in titanium (highly resistant to heat), using a quick prototyping technique.

This was here --> http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/ ... 4/845.html on the F1 website and this does confirm the diffuser has been made of Titanium...I would have thought 100% it was carbon with the Zircotec coating but I guess not.

It wouldn't be the first time the technical section of F1.com was wrong, if it is indeed wrong. Still, though, I'd still be leaning towards titanium based on surface finish alone.

It's pretty conclusive when it comes straight from the horse's mouth. Titanium.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdbbWhvg ... re=related[/youtube]

[Formula None]

Another change is that the diffuser is now made in titanium (highly resistant to heat), using a quick prototyping technique.

http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/ ... 4/845.html

So some kind of rapid prototyping for metals, if they're correct on this. SLS or electron beam welding. I'm still of the opinion that it started life as sheet metal though.

Scarbs, you out there man? Can you confirm with any sources at McLaren on the process they used?

[ringo]

Another change is that the diffuser is now made in titanium (highly resistant to heat), using a quick prototyping technique.

http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/ ... 4/845.html

So some kind of rapid prototyping for metals, if they're correct on this. SLS or electron beam welding. I'm still of the opinion that it started life as sheet metal though.

Scarbs, you out there man? Can you confirm with any sources at McLaren on the process they used?

It didn't start life as a sheet. It started life as powder. I've been saying this a while now and people find it hard to believe.

Either powder or a block of titanium was machined and i don't think they would machine a block to create something 3mm thick.

That diffuser was simply printed.