Mclaren Mercedes 2014

[Felipe 92]

http://www.mclaren.com/formula1/blog/al ... omination/

"So make no mistake: 2014 is unlikely to be a vintage season, but there’s big-picture thinking going on down at Woking, and, as Ron so persuasively says, the destination is domination.
Maybe later rather than sooner, but, sure enough, he’ll get there."

It seems that they have given up on this season, that would make 2 in a row.

[Waffle]

It seems that they have given up on this season, that would make 2 in a row.

I'm not sure how you get that from this article. This isn't an insider speaking (as the 'I'm told' in the second paragraph makes clear), it's just a journalist asked to write a homily about Ron Dennis.

[mclaren111]

I agree with Felipe, although I think they need to sort out MP4-29 since MP4-30 will be an evolution of 29.

And they should only keep Button if they can guarantee to have the best car next year that suits his driving style.

Hulkenburg is very highly rated - maybe consider him - FA and Ron will not work and there is no-one else. =D>

[Emerson.F]

I agree with Felipe, although I think they need to sort out MP4-29 since MP4-30 will be an evolution of 29.

And they should only keep Button if they can guarantee to have the best car next year that suits his driving style.

Its clear to see where that brought them.. No podiums. No wins. just the same old moaning about:
* lack of grip
* Not getting heat into the fron tyres
* Not enough downforce in the "Highspeed stuff"
* "massive" oversteer
* "terrible understeer"
* I dont know what where doing

[Felipe 92]

Its clear to see where that brought them.. No podiums. No wins. just the same old moaning about:
* lack of grip
* Not getting heat into the fron tyres
* Not enough downforce in the "Highspeed stuff"
* "massive" oversteer
* "terrible understeer"
* I dont know what where doing

I agree with you. I have huge respect for Button but he is a huge moaner and I`m getting sick of his interviews and excuses. Alonso should replace him, I bet with this car he would be 6-7th in the last couple of races. I`m McLaren fan but I don`t see them at the front for the next 2 seasons at least.

[Waffle]

I don't think Button is "moaning". We all know the car has problems. What else is he supposed to say?

[mclaren111]

From having the best car at the end of 2012 (27) to midfield in 2013 (28) to just as bad in 2014 (29). These are mostly the same engineers who designed the 27. If my understanding from reading all the posts is correct, they have tried a design philosophy on 28 that did not work and then another on 29 that have the same problem (not working), and that this will continue for another 1 or 2 years.

Surely if they fix 29 reasonably well and use that into the design of 30, there is no reason not to win everything next year.
And Kevin should be up to speed by then assisted by another top driver - FA, Kimi or Hulk.

Also, start preparing Vandoorne asap !!!

[KingHamilton01]

From having the best car at the end of 2012 (27) to midfield in 2013 (28) to just as bad in 2014 (29). These are mostly the same engineers who designed the 27. If my understanding from reading all the posts is correct, they have tried a design philosophy on 28 that did not work and then another on 29 that have the same problem (not working), and that this will continue for another 1 or 2 years.

Surely if they fix 29 reasonably well and use that into the design of 30, there is no reason not to win everything next year.
And Kevin should be up to speed by then assisted by another top driver - FA, Kimi or Hulk.

Also, start preparing Vandoorne asap !!!

Are Kimi and Hulk available next season? both on 1 season contract's?

[gary123]

The problems of the MP4/29 with downforce are product of the new concept that Mclaren tried this season. They brought a really innovative rear suspension that gives you a good downforce. But this solution haves a big penalty, Drag.
My opinion is that the guys at Mclaren have created a car that doesn't have a lot of drag, trying to balance the car with the others. Choosing this path they may have done some wrong calculation and the car haves a big lack of downforce.
Another reason according to me is they focused a lot at the mechanical part of the car. They had a very poor car with mechanical grip(especially at the front) last year so they tried to fix last year problems.
This hole mess is work of inexperienced people and people with experience but not able to make good cars without leaders.
Lowe and Goss made some really good cars in the past and it seems that goss isn't able to do the same without Lowe.
Off courses other people left Mclaren but loosing Lowe has been really bad for Mclaren.

[F1 addicted]

I don't understand why many people think the problem is Button. He isn't a moaner. He just gives as much feedback as other drivers. You hear Button's radio more often, that why he looks like a moaner. McLaren at the moment is slower than Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, Williams, Force India and sometimes Toro Rosso. Still he often qualifies in the top 10 and he often finish there. Like last season where Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferari, Lotus, Force India(at the beginning) and Sauber( at the end of the season) were faster than McLaren. I think he's very underated. He's as good as Kimi and Vettel. Only Hamilton and Alonso are clearly better. You can't criticize Button on the develop. He isn't an aerodynamic expert.

PS: Sorry for my poor english.

[mclaren_mircea]

http://en.espnf1.com/mclaren/motorsport ... 58845.html

Jenson says that the engine will have greater influence in Monaco than it had in the previous races. Less importance of the aerodynamics coupled with good mechanical grip + Mercedes engine will give Mclaren a real chance to score solid points in Monaco. If you look at the Australian race, you can see that mp4-29's characteristics suits the car for the low speed corners, so they should have a decent pace this weekend. Jenson says too that they will bring an update package which will consists not only Monaco specific parts, but updates for general performance that are part of the development effort that Boullier said last month will keep streaming on the car until Silverstone.

[astracrazy]

I agree with Felipe, although I think they need to sort out MP4-29 since MP4-30 will be an evolution of 29.

since when has any of there cars been an evolution of the previous?

From having the best car at the end of 2012 (27) to midfield in 2013 (28) to just as bad in 2014 (29). These are mostly the same engineers who designed the 27.

same engineers who claimed the 27 was at the end of its life though.

Again the problem is right there. They had a good formula/understanding/concept with the 27. They tore that up because they said it was at the end (although red bull kept the ball rolling for 4-5 years so maybe its just the staff not the car) and started again with the 28 which didn't work, so they tore that up and started again with the 29. They have gone into no mans land and are now stuck looking for a quick exit.

at the end of the day, look at red bull they always built on last years cars. Aimed to keep all the positives and remove the negatives and it worked. Macca always feel like they need to start with a blank piece of paper.

[mclaren111]

Agreed, Boullier needs to change the culture of trying to build a new spaceship every year.

Just read an article in GP 247 that Torro Rosso will use entire gearbox and rear suspension from RB, and will work even closer in development.

I think McLaren must buy Caterham, use Honda engines and try radical ideas there first to see if it works, and to help with developments.

[Thunder]

So could be Mobil1 again as the Main Sponsor.
https://twitter.com/McLarenF1/status/468723749559468032

[bauc]

So could be Mobil1 again as the Main Sponsor.

https://twitter.com/McLarenF1/status/468723749559468032

I dont really care about the sponsor ...but that car is just beautiful