Vodafone McLaren MP4-27 Mercedes

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Great shot with some rear wing detail. Are those new rear brake fins?

I wouldn't be surprised. I think the brake duct area will be a major area of performance. Do we have a view directly of the back of the car that shows the diffuser and any brake duct detailing anywhere? Would be interesting to compare with the Red Bull and Ferrari.

right click>view image for all high res images

McLaren MP4-27



F2012


RB8



For the record, I believe the diffusers on all the cars are last years diffusers and don't suspect we'll see the new ones until maybe Friday, but more than likely not until Barcelona.

[Hail22]

I fear we may not see any of the real 2012 WDC parts on the cars be seen until P3 at the Melbourne GP, I see the new cars with nothing but sensors which leads me to believe they are modelling with data they are getting from the track to manufacture parts back at base to then keep in reserve for the start of the season instead of physically testing it as every other team will just observe and replicate based on performance.

Due to this new ridiculous idea of testing all together like happy clams its hard to see any real new parts.

[raymondu999]

P3 is farfetched. P1 maybe. If they do things in P3 they might have gone the wrong way on setup, and can't dial out any issues.

[Hail22]

P3 is farfetched. P1 maybe. If they do things in P3 they might have gone the wrong way on setup, and can't dial out any issues.

Alright maybe I was too extreme, but still this whole testing with every team is horrible, hopefully Mclaren and the other top runners a part from RBR can continue with some relaxed R&D and test without having to pop out fast times.

Off topic: Very pleased with Ferrari and Mclarens twitter accepting and answering hard lined questions they need to be closer with their fan base.

[MIKEY_!]

Of course if they had separate tests we wouldn't get many pictures at all, since everything we see, the other teams would see as well. Most likely we would just get some promo shots with no development parts. At least now we might get to see some.

[boyracer94]

Burn marks on the floor in front of the rear wheels:

[Shakeman]

Pitot array from today's testing:



From the live timings they appear to be doing hot laps followed by very slow cool laps. Presumably tire testing?

[munudeges]

For the record, I believe the diffusers on all the cars are last years diffusers and don't suspect we'll see the new ones until maybe Friday, but more than likely not until Barcelona.

Nice one Crucual, thanks. It's just interesting to compare the way Red Bull have put a lot of effort into the brake duct fin area whereas Ferrari and McLaren aren't showing much in that area. Yet anyway.

[Shakeman]

For the record, I believe the diffusers on all the cars are last years diffusers and don't suspect we'll see the new ones until maybe Friday, but more than likely not until Barcelona.

Nice one Crucual, thanks. It's just interesting to compare the way Red Bull have put a lot of effort into the brake duct fin area whereas Ferrari and McLaren aren't showing much in that area. Yet anyway.

With the position of the McLaren exhaust you've got to believe there's more parts coming for their brake ducts.

[silversurf3r]

Re the burning to the floor:

If the MP4-27 is able to use the downwash to angle the exhaust flow towards the floor. Is it possible to still partially blow the underside of the floor (diffuser) through a cut away in the floor?

*Disclaimer: please bear in mind i am not technically minded and dont have a photographic memory with regards to the regulations around the 2012 floors*

[Crucial_Xtreme]

For the record, I believe the diffusers on all the cars are last years diffusers and don't suspect we'll see the new ones until maybe Friday, but more than likely not until Barcelona.

Nice one Crucual, thanks. It's just interesting to compare the way Red Bull have put a lot of effort into the brake duct fin area whereas Ferrari and McLaren aren't showing much in that area. Yet anyway.

Agreed, their brake ducts are the most innovative & complex I've seen in a while.

@shakeman I agree. I believe MaCa will definitely have something new in the upcoming tests. Especially if they keep that exhaust position.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Lewis doing more aero testing. Right click>view image

[i70q7m7ghw]

I hear after lunch they are going to stick a cardboard cut out of Massa to the rear wing to test the new mirrors

[Chalke]

Burn marks on the floor in front of the rear wheels:

Wow, still happening and evenly on both sides, so no fluke.

I can picture it directing the flow towards the brake duct edge, but the way that slot works to drag the plume down immediately is baffling me, it's like a scene from the wickerman inside my head... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzrDpj6M1ig

[amouzouris]

i think that mclaren are not only blowing the brake duct fins..but they are also going to try seal the diffuser..or at least blow over it..