Mclaren MP4-29 Pre-launch Speculation

[tuj]

I was thinking something like a single a-arm?? Think that could be possible.

Certainly possible, the question would be why? Better aero, yes, but in theory rear aero is not as critical next year with centerline exhaust, no? Multilink could be interesting because in theory is should be able to better adapt to changes in travel better and dual a-arms, but I thought the rear was already pretty stiffly sprung?

Interactive hydraulics would certainly be innovative, but not revolutionary since Lotus and Merc (and maybe even Sauber) supposedly have run such systems already this year.

[Holm86]

I was thinking something like a single a-arm?? Think that could be possible.

Certainly possible, the question would be why? Better aero, yes, but in theory rear aero is not as critical next year with centerline exhaust, no? Multilink could be interesting because in theory is should be able to better adapt to changes in travel better and dual a-arms, but I thought the rear was already pretty stiffly sprung?

Interactive hydraulics would certainly be innovative, but not revolutionary since Lotus and Merc (and maybe even Sauber) supposedly have run such systems already this year.

I should think that rear aero is most critical next year. This is where most downforce will be lost so this is also where you would hunt for downforce.

A single A-Arm with the two arms staggered as someone in here suggested at some point. But using a single A-Arm would mean that it had to be rigidly mounted to the upwright. This would mean that camber angle would increase when the suspension is compressed as the wheel is perpendicular to the A-Arm. But if they also run a linked suspension then it wouldn't harm grip under acceleration as the linked suspension would hinder the car from squatting. It would increase the camber angle on the outside wheel during roll which is good.

And a multilink rear suspension wouldn't be revolutionary or something new would it?? Hasn't McLaren run that before??

[tuj]

I could see the single staggered a-arm as a solution if the car is very stiffly sprung in roll and a bit softer in heave. Otherwise you are going to get some nasty camber changes, no?

Man, why did we ban active suspension again??? So teams could spend years designing the passive hydraulic equivalent of the FW14B? Boo! Bring back the Moog valves and active suspension if this is the route the teams are going...

The real speculation I have regarding the MP4-29 is why are they using a Merc power unit and then switching to a Honda unit in 2015? That seems like either Macca have written '14 off as a rebuilding year or maybe they are just taking the engine from Merc and not the ERS? It will be nice to see Honda back again, but its sad that they left in the first place...they could have had the Super Aguri/Brawn chassis.

[trinidefender]

I could see the single staggered a-arm as a solution if the car is very stiffly sprung in roll and a bit softer in heave. Otherwise you are going to get some nasty camber changes, no?

Man, why did we ban active suspension again??? So teams could spend years designing the passive hydraulic equivalent of the FW14B? Boo! Bring back the Moog valves and active suspension if this is the route the teams are going...

The real speculation I have regarding the MP4-29 is why are they using a Merc power unit and then switching to a Honda unit in 2015? That seems like either Macca have written '14 off as a rebuilding year or maybe they are just taking the engine from Merc and not the ERS? It will be nice to see Honda back again, but its sad that they left in the first place...they could have had the Super Aguri/Brawn chassis.

They are using it because Honda isn't releasing their engine for F1 until 2015. Why switch engine makers for 1 year when they have been working with merc engine division for years and has a working relationship with the company.

[tuj]

Well I'm just saying Macca have already declared their intentions to return to Honda, so how 'equal' will their Merc engines be?

[Thunder]

They are a normal paying Customer. They will get the same as everyone else.

Merc and Macca have said that their relationship is still very good, i really don't think that will be a Problem.

[Coefficient]

I could see the single staggered a-arm as a solution if the car is very stiffly sprung in roll and a bit softer in heave. Otherwise you are going to get some nasty camber changes, no?

Man, why did we ban active suspension again??? So teams could spend years designing the passive hydraulic equivalent of the FW14B? Boo! Bring back the Moog valves and active suspension if this is the route the teams are going...

The real speculation I have regarding the MP4-29 is why are they using a Merc power unit and then switching to a Honda unit in 2015? That seems like either Macca have written '14 off as a rebuilding year or maybe they are just taking the engine from Merc and not the ERS? It will be nice to see Honda back again, but its sad that they left in the first place...they could have had the Super Aguri/Brawn chassis.

They are using it because Honda isn't releasing their engine for F1 until 2015. Why switch engine makers for 1 year when they have been working with merc engine division for years and has a working relationship with the company.

They are changing supplier because they think Honda will be able to design a very good power train and they will receive that power train for free. As of this year Mercedes Benz are charging Mclaren for engines and next year's are way more pricey than the V8s so it makes perfect sense. A speculate that Paddy Lowe was released from his contract by Mclaren without having to complete the 12 months gardening leave in exchange for a discount on 2014 Merc power.

[KingHamilton01]

Something I was made aware of with regarding the Honda situation, I think Honda will already have a good knowledge of the V6 Engine as they race them in Indycar.

[Holm86]

There will be no Honda engine in the Mclaren MP4-29. Please keep the Honda talk in the appropriate thread

[turbof1]

There will be no Honda engine in the Mclaren MP4-29. Please keep the Honda talk in the appropriate thread

Agreed. Some basic norms were proposed in the head post to keep discussion relevant to the car. Unless mclaren uses next year a FTRS, Future Technology Recovery System, brings in the engine 1 year forward and discovers the engine has next to turbo lag also future lag, I suggest sticking to the 2014 car.

[mclaren_mircea]

In 2009 Mclaren tried an inwash front wing solution to their problematic car. At some point they almost succed in adapting all the front of the car with that solution. Now, with that the 2014 regulations include a narrower front wing, that might be Mclaren's solution for mp4-29. I read an interview with Martin Whitmarsh at the end of july and he justified the abandonment of the exhaust development telling us that it has no usage for 2014. He said that Mclaren's research department is for aero components that are useful for 2014. He twice repetead that Mclaren's aero efforts are directed for the front wing researsch and development, because it will be the critical point of the new aero-rules (will interfer with chanelling the airflow at the front and under the car). During the Korean Grand Prix Friday practice they were already testing front wing concepts for 2014. I saw a lot of Mclaren atention on that front end of the car. They were working at the nose, at the two front wing concepts on the car, pillars, etc. But, even if Button used a new front wing in qualy and race, Martin said that they were doing research development and learning with the front of the car. Something that a 2013 front wing but with clear concepts of a 2014 front wing. AMUS told us next morning that they already had 2 front wing developments paths for 2014 incorporeted in two front wings, If I'm not wrong called internally FW4 and FW5.

[i70q7m7ghw]

In 2009 Mclaren tried an inwash front wing solution to their problematic car. At some point they almost succed in adapting all the front of the car with that solution. Now, with that the 2014 regulations include a narrower front wing, that might be Mclaren's solution for mp4-29. I read an interview with Martin Whitmarsh at the end of july and he justified the abandonment of the exhaust development telling us that it has no usage for 2014. He said that Mclaren's research department is for aero components that are useful for 2014. He twice repetead that Mclaren's aero efforts are directed for the front wing researsch and development, because it will be the critical point of the new aero-rules (will interfer with chanelling the airflow at the front and under the car). During the Korean Grand Prix Friday practice they were already testing front wing concepts for 2014. I saw a lot of Mclaren atention on that front end of the car. They were working at the nose, at the two front wing concepts on the car, pillars, etc. But, even if Button used a new front wing in qualy and race, Martin said that they were doing research development and learning with the front of the car. Something that a 2013 front wing but with clear concepts of a 2014 front wing. AMUS told us next morning that they already had 2 front wing developments paths for 2014 incorporeted in two front wings, If I'm not wrong called internally FW4 and FW5.

*sprinkles pinch of salt*

[KingHamilton01]

would like the mp4-29 to revert to mp4-27 style sidepod's, I think McLaren will have one of the prettier noses to.

[Hail22]

Apparently this was spotted on Scarbs twitter feed yesterday, but I cannot seem to find the tweet anymore (except the image hotlink):




any thoughts?

[bonjon1979]

Apparently this was spotted on Scarbs twitter feed yesterday, but I cannot seem to find the tweet anymore (except the image hotlink):

http://i.imgur.com/MPbXqpz.jpg


any thoughts?

It makes my eyes bleed