Team: Eric Boullier (RD), Tim Goss (TD), Simon Roberts (OD), Matt Morris (Engineering Director), Peter Prodromou (CTO), Guillaume Cattelani (HA), Richard Frith (HVP), Stephen Watt (Head of Electronics), Marianne Hinson (Aerodynamic Process Manager), Christian Schramm (Head of Racing Technology), Hiroshi Imai (CRE), Mark Ingham (Head of Design), Kari Lammenranta (CM), Paul James (TM), Jonathan Neale (COO), Neil Oatley (Director of Design & Development) Drivers: Fernando Alonso (14), Stoffel Vandoorne (2) Team name: McLaren Honda
A place to discuss the characteristics of the cars in Formula One, both current as well as historical. Laptimes, driver worshipping and team chatter do not belong here.
Very interesting it looks like McLaren's barge boards and floor are part of a concept where there is significant emphasis on sealing the sides of the floor and allowing enough flow under the diffuser so the flow doesn't separate or stall. Very different to the Ferrari concept that seems very focused on ensuring absolute maximum airflow to the rear of the car to drive their diffuser. No idea which one is better!
It can't be looked at separately. Both airflow to the rear (top of the diffuser) and under the floor are important. They need to work together. Flow needs to be as constant as clean as possible. Creating downforce is one thing, but creating manageable downforce is equally important. That's the aerodynamic 'window'. Flow separation causes drag. With these high rakes teams are using the complete floor as a diffuser in itself. The floor need to be fed from the front. Floor edge vortexes have the same purpose as side skirts in the seventies (http://www.formula1-dictionary.net/side_skirts.html)
I wasn't saying that they are looked at separately. I was saying that there is a different emphasis between McLaren and Ferrari concepts despite both being high rake approaches. I'm not exactly sure of the reason they are bleeding air into the side of the floor is. However I suspect it is to help seal the floor and reduce separation rather than increasing the flow to energise the diffuser.
I wouldn't be surprised it the McLaren's aggressive packaging that's causing all these troubles. Same tarned and smoked body pieces as in the last week. Looks like the exhaust pipes are very tightly packaged.