McLaren MP4-29 Mercedes

[mikeerfol]

Jenson's impressions about mp4-29 behaviour after Day 2.

"We were still able to do a long-run on high-fuel this afternoon. The basic car is good, and there’s a great deal of potential there, but there’s still a lot of work to do. We have a good understanding of the power-unit, and we know how to race it, but, in terms of balance and grip, the car isn’t quite there yet.

"But I know we’ve got some good improvements in the pipeline – and they should help us close the gap to the front of the grid.

Because of the fact about the balance and grip I'm starting to be worried

But if Mclaren hasn't run any updates it's not such a dangerour situation, because Ferrari and Mercedes already started to put new parts on the car. What do you think about this situation @Pup?

Wait until we see how they perform with the australia package tomorow and on Sunday

EDIT: @Pup Indeed, Jenson said it was a problem with the gearbox.

[mclaren_mircea]

According to Omnicorse Mclaren introduced this afternoon a new fron wing, the most complex wing seen so far in Bahrain.
What's you impression about Mclaren's FW? It seems more complex and detailed that what we saw on W05 and F14 T

http://www.omnicorse.it/magazine/35231/ ... -da-carico

[Jef Patat]

Erm... not an aero specialist but as far as I know F=ma or in other words downforce=upwash...

+ drag

there's always a compromise to make

[Richard]

As far as I recall the purpose of the beam wing was to create upwash that linked with the rear wing. Upwash means air that would otherwise flow behind the car is pushed up. That means less air behind the car at low level, hence lower pressure. That sucks more air through the diffuser. More air through the diffuser gives more downforce.

[Javert]

According to Omnicorse Mclaren introduced this afternoon a new fron wing, the most complex wing seen so far in Bahrain.
What's you impression about Mclaren's FW? It seems more complex and detailed that what we saw on W05 and F14 T

http://www.omnicorse.it/magazine/35231/ ... -da-carico

Woow

The most complex front wing ever seen by McLaren Tech Center!
Last year probably it would have helped a lot

[akshat21]

Interesting article on Autosport.. Button says that they have been running launch spec car all this while. (Link : http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112714)

IF that is true, then the car is looking good to me.

[Trocola]

Jenson's impressions about mp4-29 behaviour after Day 2.

"We were still able to do a long-run on high-fuel this afternoon. The basic car is good, and there’s a great deal of potential there, but there’s still a lot of work to do. We have a good understanding of the power-unit, and we know how to race it, but, in terms of balance and grip, the car isn’t quite there yet.

"But I know we’ve got some good improvements in the pipeline – and they should help us close the gap to the front of the grid.

Because of the fact about the balance and grip I'm starting to be worried

But if Mclaren hasn't run any updates it's not such a dangerour situation, because Ferrari and Mercedes already started to put new parts on the car. What do you think about this situation @Pup?

Button always says the car has no balance and no grip. He never finds any of them.

[eslam1986]

what is white thing inside the car ? are it is ceramic fiber (insulation material)

[chasefreak]

http://store2.up-00.com/2014-02/1393617732441.jpg
what is white thing inside the car ? are it is ceramic fiber (insulation material)

im pretty sure it just a reflection.....

[shelly]

http://store2.up-00.com/2014-02/1393617732441.jpg
what is white thing inside the car ? are it is ceramic fiber (insulation material)

im pretty sure it just a reflection.....

I do not think so; I think it is a bodywork panel, maybe coated with Zircotech

[Owen.C93]

It's the gearbox casing. This year they enclose the turbine rather than bolting straight onto the engine.

[Jef Patat]

As far as I recall the purpose of the beam wing was to create upwash that linked with the rear wing. Upwash means air that would otherwise flow behind the car is pushed up. That means less air behind the car at low level, hence lower pressure. That sucks more air through the diffuser. More air through the diffuser gives more downforce.

I agree to some extend. Upwash is good, as you state it increases downforce, but at a certain speed there is no more downforce needed and the drag is just a downside and slows the car down. That's where DRS pops in, or the old F-duct. They lower the upwash/downforce, but reduce drag, which at higher speeds gives benefits.

That's why I mentioned it is a compromise to make.

I think the bald statement that 'lots of upwash' is good is too simplistic, not to mention how to get an idea of how much upwash a car has, it's not possible for us to judge that.

Feel free to correct if I'm mistaken, I'm by no means an expert.

[Avocado]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/u ... -20141.jpg
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/u ... 014-21.jpg
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/u ... 014-41.jpg
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/u ... 014-31.jpg
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/u ... -20141.jpg
http://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/gall ... ev/349.jpg

[Per]

Erm... not an aero specialist but as far as I know F=ma or in other words downforce=upwash...

+ drag

there's always a compromise to make

From F=ma it follows that drag does not come from accelerating the air upwards (upwash), but forwards.

Edit: obviously when you create an upwash by accelerating the air upwards, you cannot do it without accelerating it forwards as well. So I understand very well that an upwash also means more drag - I was just nitpicking a bit.

To react on your latest post: drag is only really a disadvantage on the straights and above ~150km/h. F1 is now a fuel-limited sport but still the teams will go through a lot just to get few more Newtons of downforce on that car.

[adrianjordan]

So are we expecting to see the Melbourne spec aero package today?

Any rumours about a new nose?