McLaren MP4-31 Honda

[Thunder]

Post from last Page:
Would love to see some Pics from a different Angle. This is drastically different. With the way the First Element looks every other Element behind mus be very different to the old one too.

Edit: Here's another one, not really good but it shows the apparently got rid of the entire Outwash Tunnel and try to achieve that same effect with Air flowing over the Wing? The Top Flap gets huge on it's way to the Endplate.


Edit 2: Another Pic:


Also this. Only seen Ferrari do that for now:



New Post:
Seems like they were doing Aero Work for 2017 all Day Yesterday. That Pic above could just be them checking Airflow around the Front Suspension and S-Duct.

And here is a Pic found on the Autosport Forum of the Prototype Frontwing:

Do the 2 upper Flaps overlap in the Area clos to the Endplate or is the lower one just Tiny in that Area?


Edit: Post from last page added to have everything on one Page:

[F1NAC]

Also is the bottom plane on front wing flat? no tunnel?

[godlameroso]

This is a completely new concept

Here, I tried to say eff all to image quality so I could highlight the differences



You can see clearly the differences more or less.

The area changed is the one circled in this image



Credit goes to the respective photographers.

[godlameroso]

If I had to guess, they're trying to rely even more on front wing flap adjustment. Perhaps without that tunnel section near the end of the wing it lowers front wing downforce, and can therefore trim front downforce with flap angle and not have to worry so much about massive oversteer.

Well FP3 is almost on so we will see what they decided to run for the race.

[ClarkBT11]

With the regulations changed giving you more freedom in the bardgeboard area to deflect tyre wake. McLaren are limiting the amount of out wash from the Mercedes style tunnel physiology thus reducing drag with their new wing design.

[mclaren111]

F1i.com:

McLAREN RUSHING FLAT-OUT TOWARDS 2017

McLaren’s prototype front wing spotted at the Circuit of the Americas also featured an additional aero fence, again as part of F1 teams' preparations for 2017 (compare red arrows on the top picture). But the extra under-wing element was not the most striking novelty on the MP4-31 in Texas. Indeed, the curved profile on the outer board is now flat (compare red outlines in the middle two images), while it was believed the area could not be tweaked.

Devised by Mercedes in 2014, the arches form a sort of reversed funnel on the outer wing, which generates a vortex aimed at fending off the front wheel’s dirty wake. F1 technical expert Craig Scarborough has suggested that the potential introduction of bigger and more sophisticated bargeboards have rendered these arched sections less crucial when it comes to keeping the turbulent air at bay. Incidentally, it is therefore perhaps not surprising to see the Mercedes W07 sport smaller bargeboards, given the pronounced profile of its front wing arches.

McLaren chief engineer Peter Prodromou and his team are keen to collect sufficient data before fully committing to an aero philosophy that would break away from the Mercedes school of thought. As much as the arches are efficient, they also create drag, something aerodynamicists are always keen to limit, even more so with the introduction of wider tyres next year. Finally, it is worth noticing that despite the flatter outline, the McLaren prototype front wing still features upper flaps that bend downwards and towards the lower endplate.

MORE HOMEWORK FOR 2017 AT McLAREN

McLaren's preparations for next season included a series of tests to assess bodywork rigidity, using a camera (see yellow arrow) aimed at a specific chequered area on the rear end, as well as sensors on the floor (see red and white arrows).

With the car increasing in width and the diffuser 5cm higher and 5cm wider in 2017, the floor will sustain much higher loads.

What’s more, the edges of the winglet sitting atop the diffuser were more rounded.

Very good article and interesting Aero developments !!!

[Thunder]

Ahh, finally good Pictures of the Prototype Frontwing. =D>

[DiogoBrand]

Really nice front wing. I don't think we can know yet if it works and if it's designed for this season or the next one. But I'd sure like to see McLaren being able to create a new philosophy and setting new trends. It's a sign of good development and it's something they're lacking for quite some time now.
We need to see more good ideas like the F-Duct and less crap ideas like the butterfly suspension coming from Woking.

[Thunder]

Another very good Analysis of the Prototype Parts and 2017 Prep:
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/analy ... 17-842908/

On the FW:

Since 2009 much of the work that has gone on in terms of front wing complexity has revolved around aerodynamic outwash structures, but the return of much larger bargeboards for 2017 means that some of these artificial structures can be dealt with by a physical barrier.

McLaren's investigation seems to point toward a relaxation of the outwash design, used to pull the wake away from the floor and sidepods, and hints at a more balanced use of the wing to control the wake generated by the front wheel.

[Thunder]

Huge Hot Air Exit for Mexico:

[f1rules]

bigger picture of the new 2017 concept frontwing, from last gp, not here
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CvtH566XEAAJe76.jpg:large

[f1rules]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/u ... _HiRes.jpg

[Jef Patat]

Testing the new frontwing concept again? I don't know if that is good or bad.

[mclaren111]

Good either way !! The more you test on track the more you learn and can confirm correlation with MTC !!!

Might be Proof of Concept tests.

Also, look at the two cameras on the sidepods !! This time last year they could barely do 10 laps in a row, leave alone do Aero developments.

[bhall II]

EDIT: