McLaren MCL35M

[SmallSoldier]

As soon as testing starts... We will have a huge amount of pictures of both I’m sure


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[haza]

After seeing the AT02 floor compared to the McL35M I believe a more complex floor will arrive come testing there’s some pictures on the AT02 page

McLaren like a lot of teams or not willing to give anything away with such an amount of time till testing this is the last year of these regulations so a majority of teams (not all) are going to going as all out as possible with this last year an also no one knows how much the floor cut out is going to affect the cars i have read a few pages saying both Mercedes and redbull are going to struggle gaining downforce back with the floor/diffuser, testing may not necessarily give us the pecking order but it’ll give us somewhat of an idea

[f1rules]

[Blackout]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EuTFEPZXUAk ... =4096x4096


This one ?? Good question...

I have no idea, but my guess was that it was the "suboptimal packaging" that James Key mentioned. Changing this part of the chassis was not necessary to mount the engine so FIA did not allow McLaren to remove it. Mercedes doesn't have anything behind it so McLaren is stuck with this small bulge.

On the other hand, it seems Red Bull has it as well so that theory goes out of the window (except if Honda reduced their engine footprint as well).

Very similar indeed,
interesting.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eu6aOtDXYAE ... name=large

Or maybe it's because they'll put an air intake there, like RB. So that extension might contain an air duct.
https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... duct-1.jpg
https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gkVlj ... 0ebe63913b

Looks like the "klipsh - Tumi" panel is removable and can be changed
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EuTFEPZXUAk ... =4096x4096

[the EDGE]

Looks like the "klipsh - Tumi" panel is removable and can be changed
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EuTFEPZXUAk ... =4096x4096

This panel has always been interchangeable & always contained a similar cooling vent. It’s nothing new

On cooler races the vent will not be used and when the weather is hot the vent will opened up as required

It’s just part of the overall cooling package like the way the rear bodywork will change from face to race depending upon cooling requirements

[Blackout]

Looks like the "klipsh - Tumi" panel is removable and can be changed
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EuTFEPZXUAk ... =4096x4096

This panel has always been interchangeable & always contained a similar cooling vent. It’s nothing new

On cooler races the vent will not be used and when the weather is hot the vent will opened up as required

It’s just part of the overall cooling package like the way the rear bodywork will change from face to race depending upon cooling requirements

Yes. I meant a forward facing air inlet, placed on the side of that 'halo extention', like RB, not the usual air outlet or grills : )

[_cerber1]

[ripleysend]

"Disappointingly similar" [MCL35M compared to last year's car]

The proof will be in the pudding of course at the first race. But to be honest, when you consider that McLaren effectively sacrificed (in my view) some performance last season to upgrade the nose structure to MCL35M spec ahead of time, and in this launch we see that in the course switching PU supplier McLaren has also taken the opportunity to significantly refine the mid / rear package, they effectively go into the new season with a car that is structurally upgraded nose to tail. How many other recent launch commentaries have included phrases such as "they've clearly spent their tokens to upgrade the front end [or rear]". I may be proved wrong, but by playing smart with nose upgrades last season are McLaren potentially going into this coming season with the most comprehensively altered (and potentially coherent in design) car on the grid? Whether that translates to relative performance improvement remains to be seen.

[_cerber1]

[mclaren111]

Interesting look on top of Sidepod Inlet...

[PlatinumZealot]

This car has very impressive, compact packaging!

I see the comments comparing it with Alpha Tauri. The mcLaren is tighter no doubt, but keep in mind the AT is using an overcut design on the trailing edge of the side pod. Most of lower rear part of the side pod near the floor will have that smooth ramp that Redbull is known foor. Racing point also had an a very squared off look to this area last year and they were very quick. It's an aerodynamic philosophy at play more than squeezing in radiators here.

Having said that, McLaren have outdone themselves with how slim the upper areas around radiators are. It seems they have decided to go with a water-cooled air charge this year to reduce the cooler volume.

[Ground Effect]

https://i.ibb.co/CVjZZcw/Eu-r-Cu-SWg-Ac-EFSj.jpg


Interesting look on top of Sidepod Inlet...

Do you by any chance know whether this is from the Tuesday or Thursday filming day?

[Emag]

Comparison with the W11.

Was looking through some of the posts and came across this one. I hope you don't mind I used your image.

I wanted to try and provide a more "tangible" comparison. The red line follows Mercedes's sidepods and it's mirrored over to the McLaren side.

There are some interesting things to take from this. McLaren is (at least from this reference) as tight as the W11. There's a clear difference in packaging philosophy however. Mercedes is very sleek throughout.

McLaren on the other hand, has a "bump" on the mid-part of the chassis. Probably a necessary sacrifice to get those sidepods so tight and aggressively ramped down and inwards as well. But the bump could also be a change in Mercedes's layout for this year.

Unfortunately, no other Mercedes powered car has launched their machines yet, so we can't be sure.

[PlatinumZealot]

I wonder if it is like a "book" style radiator? But with the lower part much smaller than the top?

[mclaren111]

https://i.ibb.co/CVjZZcw/Eu-r-Cu-SWg-Ac-EFSj.jpg


Interesting look on top of Sidepod Inlet...

Do you by any chance know whether this is from the Tuesday or Thursday filming day?

No idea... Sorry...