I very much doubt he'd have an influence on the car that starts the season in Melbourne, he would have to be there by now. They'd be fortunate to have him there to work on the Barcelona upgrade, maybe after the winter break?KingHamilton01 wrote: ↑26 Jan 2019, 18:12Given McLaren haven't had a smooth winter's testing for a number of Pre-season's now I think that is there number 1 target right now, it's clear that they need a good baseline in terms of reliability with a chassis that is a solid foundation to build on during season. Key I am sure will want to pursue a number of his own idea's with the aero side, so hopefully once testing has started he will have officially started working for the team and able to start designing an update package for the car in Melbourne?
That was one heck of a Mclaren season preview, nice post.Chicane wrote: ↑26 Jan 2019, 21:19Mclaren are starting from a clean sheet of paper. Zak has spoken positively about car development and also about Renault PU making good gains. The main task for Mclaren in preseason is to do plenty of running in order to leave no stone unturned as far as verifying every data on track. 2019 will be a season where Mclaren not only have an all new lineup but also have a new technical structure, new working philosophy, new simulation and analysis methods and an all new car which will most likely be a huge departure from what they had in the last three years.
They are basically going to have new cooling setup, totally different suspension geometry, pickup points, a different rake concept and most likely a low drag aero concept which they plan to develop and add efficient downforce as they go through the season. The 2019 cars will be heavier, draggier because of bigger, taller and wider front and rear wings with all the cascade elements removed from front wing and horizontal gills removed from rear wing end plates. The fuel capacity will be higher at 110kg. Mclaren will have Renault as a way to measure themselves on account of sharing the same power unit. If Mclaren manage to be close to Renault by the start of 2019 season it will have been a really fruitful winter. I expect them to come with a base package for 1st preseason rest, add a few bits in second test but the whole package with all the bells and whistles will only be seen in Melbourne imho.
Under a second? That woud be amazing, highly unlikely though.Ground Effect wrote: ↑26 Jan 2019, 15:37If Mclaren can start the season under a second from the top, that would be encouraging.godlameroso wrote: ↑26 Jan 2019, 15:09Mileage from the opening practice session. All 8 days of testing with at least 100 laps each, then just keep pushing the design of the car until Melbourne.
They had plenty of time to rework the chassis to not only address its shortcomings, but to be as prepared as possible for the new regs. They are getting a massively upgraded Renault power unit.
I honestly think 2019 Mclaren will be over a second per lap faster than it was in 2018. Will that be enough, considering the deficit was 1.7 seconds, and if the new regulations slow the cars down a few tenths relative to 2018. They may be competitive enough to have a season long scrap with Renault for 4th best.
It's probably the same people that called for the mid 2000's testing livery that are now saying they don't like this one!
That's an over simplification of the past 8 years.M840TR wrote: ↑07 Jan 2019, 16:45Mclaren and Mercedes still aren't direct competitors. One sells mid-engined track focused supercars, the other mostly luxury sedans and family saloons. It had more to do with how Ron and Whitmarsh ran the team. in 8 years the factory Merc has won more than twice the championships they did with Mclaren in 16, and is dominating the sport since half a decade; these stats say it all really. Never mind the spygate saga.
I agree the 2018 livery was very nice. My only problem with it was the amount of orange which can be attributed to the lack of sponsors or lack of apetite to enlarge and maximise the sponsors they had. Hopefully with some new and bigger sponsors this will not be the case for the 19 season.McG wrote: ↑27 Jan 2019, 21:57It's probably the same people that called for the mid 2000's testing livery that are now saying they don't like this one!
The 2018 livery was lovely. I can't wait to see it on a successful car.
More decals and colours don't make a car any more beautiful. Just look at the decals all over the Force India. Fair anough that it means that they have more sponsors which says something, but I wouldn't be surprised if McLaren bring in more sponsor money with apparently less sponsors.
As soon as Mercedes looses domination they will start to complain like Honda, Toyota, BMW and co. and leave F1.McG wrote: ↑27 Jan 2019, 22:22That's an over simplification of the past 8 years.M840TR wrote: ↑07 Jan 2019, 16:45Mclaren and Mercedes still aren't direct competitors. One sells mid-engined track focused supercars, the other mostly luxury sedans and family saloons. It had more to do with how Ron and Whitmarsh ran the team. in 8 years the factory Merc has won more than twice the championships they did with Mclaren in 16, and is dominating the sport since half a decade; these stats say it all really. Never mind the spygate saga.
Won't go into it too much, but from the very beginning of the McLaren Mercedes partnership, Mercedes wasn't always tje most reliable engine, whereas the McLaren chassis was amazing.
Mercrdes has had it very easy since their return, especially in the hybrid era.