McLaren MCL33

[M840TR]

I'm pretty sure this was on the MCL32 and used for the S-Duct...

Here's the s-duct inlet on the Mcl32. It's underneath the nose, not the monocoque. The Mcl33 does not have an s-duct. This one is for ancillary cooling.

http://www.mostreliablecarbrands.com/wp ... voking.jpg

Why would they want to place cooling slots there? Their size and position makes no sense. It's size is so small, that it would bring no problem to just use the sidepod.

I'm not sure if you're referring to the one on the Mcl32, which is the s-duct inlet and not a cooling duct. This is the cooling duct on the Mcl33 which is quite big and significantly blocks air to the diffuser. The better location would probably be with the main intake atop the engine or the sidepods, like every other car on the grid.

[wesley123]

Here's the s-duct inlet on the Mcl32. It's underneath the nose, not the monocoque. The Mcl33 does not have an s-duct. This one is for ancillary cooling.

http://www.mostreliablecarbrands.com/wp ... voking.jpg

Why would they want to place cooling slots there? Their size and position makes no sense. It's size is so small, that it would bring no problem to just use the sidepod.

I'm not sure if you're referring to the one on the Mcl32, which is the s-duct inlet and not a cooling duct. This is the cooling duct on the Mcl33 which is quite big and significantly blocks air to the diffuser. The better location would probably be with the main intake atop the engine or the sidepods, like every other car on the grid.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dc1ZKOsXkAEWhh7.jpg

Since it apparently is an obvious fault in their design, why haven't they done so already? Amd more importantly, why haven't they blocked it off with a filler plate for example?

And why is the intake on the exact same position as the vertical elements that connect to it? Why not 20mm later, for example?

[M840TR]

Why would they want to place cooling slots there? Their size and position makes no sense. It's size is so small, that it would bring no problem to just use the sidepod.

I'm not sure if you're referring to the one on the Mcl32, which is the s-duct inlet and not a cooling duct. This is the cooling duct on the Mcl33 which is quite big and significantly blocks air to the diffuser. The better location would probably be with the main intake atop the engine or the sidepods, like every other car on the grid.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dc1ZKOsXkAEWhh7.jpg

Since it apparently is an obvious fault in their design, why haven't they done so already? Amd more importantly, why haven't they blocked it off with a filler plate for example?

And why is the intake on the exact same position as the vertical elements that connect to it? Why not 20mm later, for example?

They'll have to do a b-car to changing entire packaging. Not feasible given regs are new next year.
They can't just block a cooling duct...

[wesley123]

I'm more interested in why they would place a cooling duct, why it would be so incredibly detrimental to the aerodynamics?

And what also intrigues me is why would this cooling slot be in line with the aerodynamic elements connecting to it? Why not 100mm further back?

This failure of a design has also been present for many years on the red bull, as well as previous McLarens cars.

[JordanMugen]

I'm more interested in why they would place a cooling duct, why it would be so incredibly detrimental to the aerodynamics?

I don't understand. Why do you think that small hole under the nose would be "incredibly detrimental to aerodynamics"?

The duct needs to be placed there as it is for cooling components located under the driver's legs.

"This is the cooling duct on the Mcl33 which is quite big and significantly blocks air to the diffuser. "

I hardly think that tiny little duct "significantly blocks air" to anything!

"The better location would probably be with the main intake atop the engine or the sidepods, like every other car on the grid. "

It has to be placed under the nose as it is for cooling components under the driver's legs.

[wesley123]

I'm more interested in why they would place a cooling duct, why it would be so incredibly detrimental to the aerodynamics?

I don't understand. Why do you think that small hole under the nose would be "incredibly detrimental to aerodynamics"?

The duct needs to be placed there as it is for cooling components located under the driver's legs.

"This is the cooling duct on the Mcl33 which is quite big and significantly blocks air to the diffuser. "

I hardly think that tiny little duct "significantly blocks air" to anything!

"The better location would probably be with the main intake atop the engine or the sidepods, like every other car on the grid. "

It has to be placed under the nose as it is for cooling components under the driver's legs.

http://www.ausmotive.com/F1/2012/Sauber ... way-07.jpg

I fully agree with you. The post you quoted was a reply to the user above, who claimed it was "another blunder by the designers that significantly handicaps the aero performance of the car by blocking air to the diffuser. "

[M840TR]

I'm more interested in why they would place a cooling duct, why it would be so incredibly detrimental to the aerodynamics?

I don't understand. Why do you think that small hole under the nose would be "incredibly detrimental to aerodynamics"?

The duct needs to be placed there as it is for cooling components located under the driver's legs.

"This is the cooling duct on the Mcl33 which is quite big and significantly blocks air to the diffuser. "

I hardly think that tiny little duct "significantly blocks air" to anything!

"The better location would probably be with the main intake atop the engine or the sidepods, like every other car on the grid. "

It has to be placed under the nose as it is for cooling components under the driver's legs.

http://www.ausmotive.com/F1/2012/Sauber ... way-07.jpg

It's detrimental because it blocks air to the undercut/diffuser. Although it's unclear at this point if it's for driver or battery cooling, even if it is the former, the ideal location would be on top of the monocoque like Mercedes. If you have photos of any other car on the grid with a similar located duct please do share.

[trinidefender]

I'm more interested in why they would place a cooling duct, why it would be so incredibly detrimental to the aerodynamics?

I don't understand. Why do you think that small hole under the nose would be "incredibly detrimental to aerodynamics"?

The duct needs to be placed there as it is for cooling components located under the driver's legs.

"This is the cooling duct on the Mcl33 which is quite big and significantly blocks air to the diffuser. "

I hardly think that tiny little duct "significantly blocks air" to anything!

"The better location would probably be with the main intake atop the engine or the sidepods, like every other car on the grid. "

It has to be placed under the nose as it is for cooling components under the driver's legs.

http://www.ausmotive.com/F1/2012/Sauber ... way-07.jpg

It's detrimental because it blocks air to the undercut/diffuser. Although it's unclear at this point if it's for driver or battery cooling, even if it is the former, the ideal location would be on top of the monocoque like Mercedes. If you have photos of any other car on the grid with a similar located duct please do share.

Two things.

1. There is a thick boundary layer there of slow moving high pressure air there below the chassis. This is the perfect place to put an inlet. The slow moving boundary layer is almost useless for aerodynamic uses as far as generating downforce.

2. All the other teams including red bull have vents below the chassis for cooling vents.

But ya know, I'm sure you know more than all the aerodynamicists on these teams.

[M840TR]

I don't understand. Why do you think that small hole under the nose would be "incredibly detrimental to aerodynamics"?

The duct needs to be placed there as it is for cooling components located under the driver's legs.

"This is the cooling duct on the Mcl33 which is quite big and significantly blocks air to the diffuser. "

I hardly think that tiny little duct "significantly blocks air" to anything!

"The better location would probably be with the main intake atop the engine or the sidepods, like every other car on the grid. "

It has to be placed under the nose as it is for cooling components under the driver's legs.

http://www.ausmotive.com/F1/2012/Sauber ... way-07.jpg

It's detrimental because it blocks air to the undercut/diffuser. Although it's unclear at this point if it's for driver or battery cooling, even if it is the former, the ideal location would be on top of the monocoque like Mercedes. If you have photos of any other car on the grid with a similar located duct please do share.

Two things.

1. There is a thick boundary layer there of slow moving high pressure air there below the chassis. This is the perfect place to put an inlet. The slow moving boundary layer is almost useless for aerodynamic uses as far as generating downforce.

2. All the other teams including red bull have vents below the chassis for cooling vents.

But ya know, I'm sure you know more than all the aerodynamicists on these teams.

Thanks for clarifying.
Although the Redbull ducts are on the sides not underneath. Why do you think is that?

[trinidefender]

It's detrimental because it blocks air to the undercut/diffuser. Although it's unclear at this point if it's for driver or battery cooling, even if it is the former, the ideal location would be on top of the monocoque like Mercedes. If you have photos of any other car on the grid with a similar located duct please do share.

Two things.

1. There is a thick boundary layer there of slow moving high pressure air there below the chassis. This is the perfect place to put an inlet. The slow moving boundary layer is almost useless for aerodynamic uses as far as generating downforce.

2. All the other teams including red bull have vents below the chassis for cooling vents.

But ya know, I'm sure you know more than all the aerodynamicists on these teams.

Thanks for clarifying.
Although the Redbull ducts are on the sides not underneath. Why do you think is that?

https://i.redd.it/9ahy1vkhznq01.jpg

Could be a number of reasons.
- ease of routing the cooling airflow to the parts or driver as necessary
- a localised are of high pressure air (shown for example on the outside and above the turning vanes
- by making them part of the turning vane you minimise the extra bodywork needed for the intake

Also note that they have NACA style intakes right below the top of the nose. Following previous logic this would be the worst place to put them. I myself can't imagine why they would put them there, but then again these aerodynamicists would have done it for a reason.

McLaren also has a different nose with lots of bodywork right in front the ducts. This extra bodywork will increase the boundary layer. A duct can help an aerodynamicist get rid of it.

[M840TR]

via Albert Fabrega

[M840TR]

Suttonimages

[M840TR]

AMuS

[M840TR]

[Just_a_fan]

Have they been given special leeway to run a different paint scheme on Alonso's car? I thought there was a requirement for the cars to be the same except for driver's numbers.