Vodafone McLaren MP4-27 Mercedes

[timbo]

The lower ends of the pylons (attachment points?) look different between the two noses.

agree. Due to Fia tests?

I guess the upper one is just not fully assembled=)

[kalinka]

According to an Autosport interview about Hamilton's bad setup in Japan : When quizzed on the exact nature of the problem, Hamilton added: "It's not a suspension failure, because I could still drive with it.
There was just a part that helps the balance and when you set it up it should react in one way but it didn't do that."

So what part could it be exactly, that helps the balance, and it's not a suspension failure?

[furious_g]

According to an Autosport interview about Hamilton's bad setup in Japan : When quizzed on the exact nature of the problem, Hamilton added: "It's not a suspension failure, because I could still drive with it.
There was just a part that helps the balance and when you set it up it should react in one way but it didn't do that."

So what part could it be exactly, that helps the balance, and it's not a suspension failure?

Well it can't be upright / wishbone / pushrod / spring / trackrod / rocker because a failure of any of these would most likely cause a DNF.

Which as far as i know narrows it down to damper / inerter / anti-roll bar. To my mind, his laguage suggests either inerter or anti-roll bar.

[Hail22]

Very interesting just saw on sky that a Mclaren mechanic/technician was working on the rear wing lower endplates/gills that would be awesome if they have an adjustment screw to tune/change the direction of the airflow coming from the exhaust/floor going to the beam wing/diffuser.

[PlatinumZealot]

That would be classified as a moveable part.
Meaning, rigid mechanical parts that enable at least one degree of freedom. Eg. pivots, belts, gears, sliders, cams, screws etc. Only sanctioned parts can be moveable.

[WhiteBlue]

The McLaren had a new engine sound in FP1 at half throttle. It sounds awful. I wonder if that was legal.

[raymondu999]

Nowadays I think they're still allowed to make map changes, but they have to provide a good reason, for example the change in air pressure that comes with the higher altitude of Interlagos. I'd think that's a potential loophole.

Having said that, with the Hockenheim hoo-hah over engine mapping I'd think the FIA has enough experience with the issue now. Do note though that the cars don't have to be in legal race spec, in FP

[seinfeld]

The McLaren had a new engine sound in FP1 at half throttle. It sounds awful. I wonder if that was legal.

I totally agree, it was at the low end of the rev range. sounded like traction control

[aral]

The McLaren had a new engine sound in FP1 at half throttle. It sounds awful. I wonder if that was legal.

I totally agree, it was at the low end of the rev range. sounded like traction control

Oh no! Here we go again!

[stefan_]

Please, no.

[Nando]

I totally agree, it was at the low end of the rev range. sounded like traction control

It was the first thing that popped into my head when i heard it. Obviously it´s illegal but still an interesting sound.

Disclaimer: Nobody is saying they have it, just that it sounded like it.

[Javert]

23 4 Lewis Hamilton 14:34:19 308.4
24 3 Jenson Button 14:54:29 308.3

Both McLaren very bad on top speed
It's for the new engine map?

[Arunas]

23 4 Lewis Hamilton 14:34:19 308.4
24 3 Jenson Button 14:54:29 308.3

Both McLaren very bad on top speed
It's for the new engine map?

May be not using DRS?

[raymondu999]

McLaren have fielded (to my reckoning) all 8 of their season engines. Perhaps they dialled the performance down to save engine life?

[Kiril Varbanov]

McLaren have fielded (to my reckoning) all 8 of their season engines. Perhaps they dialled the performance down to save engine life?

They have - in Japan, just as well as ROS, RAI and KOB.