McLaren MP4-29 Mercedes

[f1rules]

That would have been my quess also

Is that a strain gauge I spot on the pullrod? If so, it might explain why they're steel... it's much less involved to calculate load when the material being strain gauged is isotropic.

First when I saw that picture I thought is was adjustable. So that they could adjust ride-hight on the pullrod itself.

[Lycoming]

Is that a strain gauge I spot on the pullrod? If so, it might explain why they're steel... it's much less involved to calculate load when the material being strain gauged is isotropic.

First when I saw that picture I thought is was adjustable. So that they could adjust ride-hight on the pullrod itself.

Usually, your adjustment mechanism is at one of the ends, not in the middle. You either have a threaded rod end that threads into a threaded insert welded/bonded to the rod with a jam nut to secure it, or (I suspect this is what all F1 teams use) an alloy fitting that allows you to slot in shims to change ride height. With carbon arms, you would have this at one of the ends because you need an alloy insert there anyways to install a ball joint so you con bolt it into the rocker or upright. Your carbon pullrod will be ride height adjustable, so I don't understand why you would make it steel for that reason.

When I first saw that pic, the thing in the middle looked like the kind of thing you would use to wrap over a strain gauge, and the middle of the pullrod is the best place for a strain gauge, but looking at the picture more closely, that does not appear to be the case. It appears to be something that can be... moved or adjusted. Maybe it lets you change it more quickly? But any ride height change means getting out a set of scales, so it won't be that quick...

I'm not really sure what to think anymore. Maybe should think about going to bed.

[gary123]

Diffrent steering wheel. They mounted the new display

[Per]

Is that a strain gauge I spot on the pullrod? If so, it might explain why they're steel... it's much less involved to calculate load when the material being strain gauged is isotropic.

First when I saw that picture I thought is was adjustable. So that they could adjust ride-hight on the pullrod itself.

Usually, your adjustment mechanism is at one of the ends, not in the middle. You either have a threaded rod end that threads into a threaded insert welded/bonded to the rod with a jam nut to secure it, or (I suspect this is what all F1 teams use) an alloy fitting that allows you to slot in shims to change ride height. With carbon arms, you would have this at one of the ends because you need an alloy insert there anyways to install a ball joint so you con bolt it into the rocker or upright. Your carbon pullrod will be ride height adjustable, so I don't understand why you would make it steel for that reason.

When I first saw that pic, the thing in the middle looked like the kind of thing you would use to wrap over a strain gauge, and the middle of the pullrod is the best place for a strain gauge, but looking at the picture more closely, that does not appear to be the case. It appears to be something that can be... moved or adjusted. Maybe it lets you change it more quickly? But any ride height change means getting out a set of scales, so it won't be that quick...

I'm not really sure what to think anymore. Maybe should think about going to bed.

Well that's what I was trying to tell you yesterday. I'm also not sure but indeed it looks like something that can be rotated (hence the cog-like shape where the two separate parts meet). And the only reason why you would want to rotate something in your pull rod is - as far as my imagination goes - to adjust ride height.

Could it be that they want to do quick changes to see the effect of ride height on the butterfly suspension? So that they are not that interested in the vehicle dynamics side (-> skip balancing the car after adjusting ride height) but want to look purely at the aerodynamic behaviour of the rear suspension in different ride heights.

Just speculation, I'm trying to think about what they want to achieve.

[Avocado]

103 laps?! Very productive day.

http://www.formule1.nl/media/uploads/me ... 2003.4.jpg
http://www.formule1.nl/media/uploads/me ... 006.56.jpg
http://www.formule1.nl/media/uploads/me ... 018.68.jpg
http://www.formule1.nl/media/uploads/me ... 019.75.jpg
http://www.formule1.nl/media/uploads/me ... 022.24.jpg
http://www.formule1.nl/media/uploads/me ... 2038.7.jpg

[monsi]

I wonder if that means we will see less conservative sidepods at the next test ? Everytime I see a picture of the sidepods front on I have this ... surely not! ... really ? moment

[Cuky]

http://www.formule1.nl/media/uploads/me ... 535.92.jpg

Diffrent steering wheel. They mounted the new display

They had it in Jerez already
http://i.imgur.com/45ZVAD3.jpg

[gary123]

http://www.formule1.nl/media/uploads/me ... 535.92.jpg

Diffrent steering wheel. They mounted the new display

They had it in Jerez already
http://i.imgur.com/45ZVAD3.jpg

I didn't notice that. Thanks

[Jackles-UK]

It may have been mentioned already but I've just noticed the length of the RW endplate strakes; the rear-most of which now reaches almost 2/3rds of the way up the entire wing. I know McLaren have always loved their endplate strakes but compared to all other teams (Ferrari the possible exception with their Venetian blind arrangement last year!) and cars from previous years they are a hell of a lot longer. What's the advantage of making them massively long? Further reduce rear tyre wake or maybe to try and pull more air through the rear suspension mushrooms like a kind of sideways diffuser?

[adrianjordan]

McLaren still using significantly more cooling than Mercedes...

Do you think this will remain the case or could McLaren have an update which is more slimline but wanted to check that the conservative approach worked first??

[Owen.C93]

Considering that Merc ran with their medium cooling package in the cold jerez and their full hot package in Bahrain with no more than a few laps with the launch spec, then yeah I expect them to meet in the middle somewhere.

[cobart]

McLaren still using significantly more cooling than Mercedes...

Do you think this will remain the case or could McLaren have an update which is more slimline but wanted to check that the conservative approach worked first??

Maybe they need additional cooling during the race to follow another cars without overheating and using DRS as the full saving device. Just new strategy possibility

[Thunder]

Bahrain 2014 Day 4 by AMuS








So there's Gills (is it called that in English ? ^^) in the Hot Air Exit now and the Gurney is gone.

[stefan_]

Winter Testing 2014 - Session 2, Day 4 - Bahrain (22.02.2014)


(couldn't help myself)

[mikeerfol]

Winter Testing 2014 - Session 2, Day 4 - Bahrain (22.02.2014)


(couldn't help myself)
http://i.imgur.com/kdqZDUE.jpg