[ 2020 ] Mclaren F1 Team - Renault

[Mansell89]

How did we compare on long run pace with the “Big 3”? The Ferrari reminds me of the 2017 McLaren which was steeped in downforce but was super draggy and I think we might be a threat to them on some circuits. However, gut feel is exactly that and I wondered if there was any data that suggested we could get in their league on a race sim?

[godlameroso]

Long run pace, at face value, seems to be slightly faster than last year's Ferrari in the actual race. Of course McLaren is a team that historically runs conservative in testing. So I'm guessing they have a few tenths in hand.

They're closer to the front for sure. 6-7 tenths down on the leaders would be a monumental achievement.

Lapped traffic will be harder to overtake because of the downforce disturbance and the fact the whole field has bunched up. This means that the car lapping a slower one spends more time in the slower car's wake.

[FittingMechanics]

How did we compare on long run pace with the “Big 3”? The Ferrari reminds me of the 2017 McLaren which was steeped in downforce but was super draggy and I think we might be a threat to them on some circuits. However, gut feel is exactly that and I wondered if there was any data that suggested we could get in their league on a race sim?

We were about 0.8s down on Leclerc. I guess we are still behind by some margin. On the upside, Sainz used C1 in one stint (or in two stints), other teams seemed to use only C2 or C3/C2 combination.

For long runs click on top right.


From the data, McLaren is very slightly ahead of midfield.

[Ground Effect]

How did we compare on long run pace with the “Big 3”? The Ferrari reminds me of the 2017 McLaren which was steeped in downforce but was super draggy and I think we might be a threat to them on some circuits. However, gut feel is exactly that and I wondered if there was any data that suggested we could get in their league on a race sim?

According to @f1debrief race pace lap average

Ferrari (Leclerc) 1:21:791
Racing Point (Checo) 1:22:801
McLaren (Sainz) 1:22:676

[SmallSoldier]

Let’s not forget that last year, our qualifying delta was a second and a half and around 2 seconds in race pace... If we manage to be less than a second in qualifying and close to a second in race pace, it would be a great season overall...

Probably the biggest change that we will see this year is the top 3 not been able to make their way through the field as easily when they have issues and start below their normal positions... If the midfield is capable of holding them off for longer, it could make for a very interesting season indeed.




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[Mansell89]

How did we compare on long run pace with the “Big 3”? The Ferrari reminds me of the 2017 McLaren which was steeped in downforce but was super draggy and I think we might be a threat to them on some circuits. However, gut feel is exactly that and I wondered if there was any data that suggested we could get in their league on a race sim?

We were about 0.8s down on Leclerc. I guess we are still behind by some margin. On the upside, Sainz used C1 in one stint (or in two stints), other teams seemed to use only C2 or C3/C2 combination.

For long runs click on top right.


From the data, McLaren is very slightly ahead of midfield.

Thanks guys- Le Clerc actually did a very handy race sim there then? That being said you can’t help but wonder how handy Merc might be when the real stuff starts.

Like yourselves I noted Carlos doing a really nice stint on C1.

Do we know which sector cost us the most time on the race sim versus the likes of Ferrari? I would have suspected with their downforce package they probably might eat us alive in sector 3?

[Ground Effect]

There’s an excellent breakdown on @f1debrief, but main info for comparison between Leclerc and Carlos per sector:

Leclerc S1 - Fastest 22:471 Average 23:209
S2 - Fastest 29:588 Average 30:353
S3 - Fastest 27:583 Average 28:229

Sainz S1 - Fastest 22:903 Average 23:413
S2 - Fastest 30:083 Average 30:722
S3 - Fastest 27:884 Average 28:542

[Motörhead]

I got this pic from reddit

It’s clear as daylight that McLaren is sandbagging. McLaren’s curve flattens before the braking zones, compared to the other 3 teams. They are either lifting off before corners or using lower engine modes or both.

Best times on C3
https://i.imgur.com/JbZwgcG.png

A very interesting chart.
Conclusions:
RP are maxing it out. Not coasting into corners and heavy on the acceleration.
Mercedes are no way slower than RP. They’re heavy on fuel, turned the revs down but probably both. And also coasting into the corners.
I think we can take Red Bull as the Median. They’re doing a bit of both but not so much coasting into the corners.
Mclaren have used one engine for testing and perhaps the Dyno. Revs are down for reliability. A great test. They are, looking at the graph, really coasting into the corners. So, a lot of encouragement there.
But.....
The major concern for me, is that the last part of the lap, the slow corners. They are well behind. And it’s the entry that looks to be the problem, they’re fine accelerating out of them. It’s the only part of the map where they diverge from the other teams.
This looks like to be their Achilles heal once again.
The new Diffuser looked to be a really good update to alleviate part of this problem.
Let’s hope for another update for Australia.

[FittingMechanics]

The major concern for me, is that the last part of the lap, the slow corners. They are well behind. And it’s the entry that looks to be the problem, they’re fine accelerating out of them. It’s the only part of the map where they diverge from the other teams.
This looks like to be their Achilles heal once again.
The new Diffuser looked to be a really good update to alleviate part of this problem.
Let’s hope for another update for Australia.

I'm not sure I agree. Looking at the chart, it looks like McLaren is losing the most of the time in S3 in parts where they are accelerating. Every braking point they claw back some, and then lose in the acceleration phase, especially compared to Racing Point, it's almost like a mirror image in the last sector when you compare the two.

Most likely possibility is that the car depleted the battery before the final sector. Another possibility is overheating the rears which manifested at the end of the lap.

I don't think the losses in S3 can be down to power, as in the first two sectors McLaren is not losing massively in the acceleration phases.

BTW, part of the chart could be explained by McLaren taking a different line.

[PowerandtheGlory]

I got this pic from reddit

It’s clear as daylight that McLaren is sandbagging. McLaren’s curve flattens before the braking zones, compared to the other 3 teams. They are either lifting off before corners or using lower engine modes or both.

Best times on C3
https://i.imgur.com/JbZwgcG.png

A very interesting chart.
Conclusions:
RP are maxing it out. Not coasting into corners and heavy on the acceleration.
Mercedes are no way slower than RP. They’re heavy on fuel, turned the revs down but probably both. And also coasting into the corners.
I think we can take Red Bull as the Median. They’re doing a bit of both but not so much coasting into the corners.
Mclaren have used one engine for testing and perhaps the Dyno. Revs are down for reliability. A great test. They are, looking at the graph, really coasting into the corners. So, a lot of encouragement there.
But.....
The major concern for me, is that the last part of the lap, the slow corners. They are well behind. And it’s the entry that looks to be the problem, they’re fine accelerating out of them. It’s the only part of the map where they diverge from the other teams.
This looks like to be their Achilles heal once again.
The new Diffuser looked to be a really good update to alleviate part of this problem.
Let’s hope for another update for Australia.

Its a cool graph where the RB is the baseline- but the fact is both the RP and MERC in the last sector on acceleration behave differently- and im not sure it can all be down to corner exit. Because Merc and Mclaren gain back against the RB at the apex of the corner (mini spike).. but then seem to fall away in the accel zone, the opposite true for RP who get stronger - but we know RP and MERC they are the same PU.. so it must be corner line, DRS or DAS or engine mode. It would be reasonable to expect most drivers doing the same thing with DRS so lets discount that, Mclaren and Merc maybe taking a similar line as their traces follow each other in pattern. RP's graph get is stronger over the line and strong in the speed areas earlier in the lap so suggests they might have been in a higher mode- or their car is less draggy- but last year's W10 was never the fastest in the traps.. so a mixed bag of conclusions. Im going to agree with perhaps corner line on exit and the state of the tyres at the end of the lap- if so... RB might have a car that is very easy on its tyres around the lap.. if that's true.. then we should all be worried!!

[McG]

Do we think McLaren will get the chance to be like they used to be with interesting designs? As in will the new cars have big enough areas to experiment with? Because with McLaren having a new wind tunnel and a budget cap I think they could be be back to being one of if not the most inventive team in F1. I think Merc have that crown at the moment.

[the EDGE]

Do we think McLaren will get the chance to be like they used to be with interesting designs? As in will the new cars have big enough areas to experiment with? Because with McLaren having a new wind tunnel and a budget cap I think they could be be back to being one of if not the most inventive team in F1. I think Merc have that crown at the moment.

That’s a good question. F-duct, Coanda effect exhaust, carbon Fibre chassis! All great firsts but then others have been just as successful If not even more so recently at experimenting too

It’s what we love in F1T, but Newey seems to think the new regs are too prescriptive to allow out of the box thinking, but try telling that to Mercedes, so I guess we are just going to have to wait and see

The best bit about the new rules for me is the banning of hydraulic suspension as I believe McLaren loose out big-time here compared to front 3 (and their b teams now too)

2021 is without doubt the biggest rules reset ever in F1. A complete level playing field so anyone who can think pull of a DAS like system or a Double Diffuser-esq device will have a big advantage, and that could come from any team... but then FIA say they have new rules in place to immediately ban such systems so is there a point

[diffuser]

The major concern for me, is that the last part of the lap, the slow corners. They are well behind. And it’s the entry that looks to be the problem, they’re fine accelerating out of them. It’s the only part of the map where they diverge from the other teams.
This looks like to be their Achilles heal once again.
The new Diffuser looked to be a really good update to alleviate part of this problem.
Let’s hope for another update for Australia.

I'm not sure I agree. Looking at the chart, it looks like McLaren is losing the most of the time in S3 in parts where they are accelerating. Every braking point they claw back some, and then lose in the acceleration phase, especially compared to Racing Point, it's almost like a mirror image in the last sector when you compare the two.

Most likely possibility is that the car depleted the battery before the final sector. Another possibility is overheating the rears which manifested at the end of the lap.

I don't think the losses in S3 can be down to power, as in the first two sectors McLaren is not losing massively in the acceleration phases.

BTW, part of the chart could be explained by McLaren taking a different line.

Most of those accellerations in S3 are not full throttle. Its gradual pedal depressions. Its whatever the back tires can take, lots of HP to spare.

[FittingMechanics]

Most of accellerations in S3 are not full throttle. Its gradual pedal depressions.

What do you think that means?

If you are not full on power, battery probably doesn't mean much so that can be ruled out. Rears overheating still could work, would explain why McLaren did ok in first two sectors against RP but lost out in the third one. I believe if they had better traction it would manifest throughout the lap instead of just third sector.

[McG]

Do we think McLaren will get the chance to be like they used to be with interesting designs? As in will the new cars have big enough areas to experiment with? Because with McLaren having a new wind tunnel and a budget cap I think they could be be back to being one of if not the most inventive team in F1. I think Merc have that crown at the moment.

That’s a good question. F-duct, Coanda effect exhaust, carbon Fibre chassis! All great firsts but then others have been just as successful If not even more so recently at experimenting too

It’s what we love in F1T, but Newey seems to think the new regs are too prescriptive to allow out of the box thinking, but try telling that to Mercedes, so I guess we are just going to have to wait and see

The best bit about the new rules for me is the banning of hydraulic suspension as I believe McLaren loose out big-time here compared to front 3 (and their b teams now too)

2021 is without doubt the biggest rules reset ever in F1. A complete level playing field so anyone who can think pull of a DAS like system or a Double Diffuser-esq device will have a big advantage, and that could come from any team... but then FIA say they have new rules in place to immediately ban such systems so is there a point

It's good that any team can come up with something but a shame there are new rules to ban it. Maybe it doesn't mean everything will get banned, just make it easier to ban if it's something the FIA really don't like, butought that was pretty easy for them anyway.