Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24

[roost89]

Thank you shir0 and bassimon most helpful

[timbo]

Seems like McLaren run their new car with 2008 wing. What's the point? They hide something secret, or still have to figure out how to make up DF loss at the rear?

[djos]

I would suggest it is just some sort of Aero Benchmarking test as they know how much Downforce the old one generates and they are prolly comparing against the new for setup purposes?

[Shaddock]

I didn't realise how high the nose of the McLaren was until I saw this photo.

[i70q7m7ghw]

Very smooth lines Also, have they changed the exhausts as well?

[gcdugas]

What is up with the front rim plates in the last two photos? I think there is a rule that says that nothing is to extend wider than the widest cross section of the front tire. Is that some sort of testing gauge/device?

[the stig]

The rim plates are just for testing puposes measuring airflow and tyre temps...but I have no clue why they are running the 08 wing...

[vyselegend]

I didn't realise how high the nose of the McLaren was until I saw this photo.

Exact. Quite high nose. Another thing on that pic, is the disturbing impression that front tyres are of greater diametre than rear ones. Given the perspective of the pic, it should be the opposite...

Another weird optical illusion I guess.

[joseff]

...but I have no clue why they are running the 08 wing...

Because it looks better!

[i70q7m7ghw]

What is up with the front rim plates in the last two photos? I think there is a rule that says that nothing is to extend wider than the widest cross section of the front tire. Is that some sort of testing gauge/device?

I thought there was a maximum width for the car so to put body work beyond the width of the wheels you had to compromise track width...

[modbaraban]

Maybe it was worth it? They used similar things last year for testing purposes but those had clearly non-aerodynamic shape and were much thicker.

[ISLAMATRON]

Exact. Quite high nose. Another thing on that pic, is the disturbing impression that front tyres are of greater diametre than rear ones. Given the perspective of the pic, it should be the opposite...

Another weird optical illusion I guess.

If the car is under hard acceleration the rear end will squat and weight will shift to the rear loading down the rear tires... thus making the front tires look larger than the rear... opposite under braking.

[ESPImperium]

The thing i fing funny is the fact its a 2009 car with a 2008 rear wing at the moment.

Just looks weird, but i approve.

[Shaddock]

The thing i fing funny is the fact its a 2009 car with a 2008 rear wing at the moment.

Just looks weird, but i approve.

Apparently they switched front and rear wings from 08 specs to 09 specs and combinations of the two during testing.

[myurr]

Very smooth lines Also, have they changed the exhausts as well?

Looks like it - possibly because of the lower rear wing they need to divert the exhaust gases to a lower height. They appear much more steeply angled than those in the launch shots.