Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24

[hulmerist]

so basically no one has any idea where mclaren are at

they're either hiding something incredibly clever, or have done something really stupid and are trying desperately to fix it

although, if you did have something clever, surely you need to test it on track? they're gonna wait until the last days of the final test to reveal it....|?

[coreybaxter]

Is it possible that Mclaren are relying heavily on "in-house" work and data? Could they just be testing the complete basic package?....and then use the free practice sessions at the AUS GP or every GP to test different components?....Since they cant use in season testing to test new ideas before certain races?

[wesley123]

so basically no one has any idea where mclaren are at

they're either hiding something incredibly clever, or have done something really stupid and are trying desperately to fix it

although, if you did have something clever, surely you need to test it on track? they're gonna wait until the last days of the final test to reveal it....|?

I think the same, they are or hiding something incredibly clever or they fked it up really hard.

If they have made something clever wich increases downforce by an enormous amount then they wont show it until the first gp.

Developing certain parts take atleast 2-3 months(i guess) so if they release it at australia they can 'enjoy' from it for like 6-7 races, then they can create an enormous gap by the rest of the teams.

[Kester]

And if that is true, what would happen if it didn't work?

They'd have to wait 6-7 races to have a part that actually works?

I don't see the point in taking that risk.

[wesley123]

And if that is true, what would happen if it didn't work?

They'd have to wait 6-7 races to have a part that actually works?

I don't see the point in taking that risk.

it is just normal development, just look at the bridge wing, believe that that is an development from 2006, but it was optimized more and more till it was good enough to use it to race.
Sometimes it dont take long to develop, like the new front wing or turning vanes.

Teams cant just copy things from other cars, well they can but then it is 90% chance it doesnt work as the aero of every car is so extremely different.

[Kester]

My point is McLaren don't seem to have a fall back option, where as with the bridge wing example, there was always a good wing already in place and being used.

So far we've seen a handful of attempts with an 09 wing.

[nudger]

there is an interesting analysis on the jerez test by mark hughes on itv f1s site.
it kind of puts it a little more in perspective when you see that even with the 09 rear wing, when you eliminate the headline times and look at longer runs, the mclaren was still in the pack of bmw, rbr and williams, and a few tenths down on ferrari and renault.
i think talk of fundimental feck ups is over stating it a bit. they still might be the ones to beat, who knows...i sure dont

i do hear that a more representative package should appear at barcelona...dont forget they still have one further test after that, so they arnt really leaving it too late

[kilcoo316]

That's what I'm getting at yeah...but I really don't know. Im just trying to make sense out of some really confusing things that they're doing.

Nah - too many hard to quantify interactions going on there for that to be a pre-planned approach.

[kilcoo316]

there is an interesting analysis on the jerez test by mark hughes on itv f1s site.

Best thing I took from that is it all sounds quite tight at the sharp end.


Hopefully the makings of a good season.

[chepoi]

And if that is true, what would happen if it didn't work?

They'd have to wait 6-7 races to have a part that actually works?

I don't see the point in taking that risk.

it is just normal development, just look at the bridge wing, believe that that is an development from 2006, but it was optimized more and more till it was good enough to use it to race.
Sometimes it dont take long to develop, like the new front wing or turning vanes.

Teams cant just copy things from other cars, well they can but then it is 90% chance it doesnt work as the aero of every car is so extremely different.

i tried to think outside of the box.... i did believed that McLaren is ALREADY testing their 2010 car!! & that's why Lewis crashed.... and seems like that Mclaren is not showing any sign of panic.... and they seems already confident with their 2009 car at least for the first 3 races outside Europe!


and if that true... then.... McLaren is already ahead of the rest of the fields......


is that possible? Since there is a limited testing rules for this year then i think my view is acceptable to assumed. To add spice to my statement.... McLaren is already working for their 2010 car design and... more spicy to tell that Norbert Haug also once quoted that our car will evolved from now on..... it might be that they already looking for the 2010 car testing!


my 2 cents....

[Kester]

Very doubtful. They have a 2009 campaign to deal with before they thing about 2010. No matter how far along they could be, there is no way they'd have started testing on a 2010 car. Hell last year it wasn't until the very end of the season until they started work on it.

[timbo]

Very doubtful. They have a 2009 campaign to deal with before they thing about 2010. No matter how far along they could be, there is no way they'd have started testing on a 2010 car. Hell last year it wasn't until the very end of the season until they started work on it.

Well, most probably they already started new design, as car development takes about a year or even more, yet it is impossible and useless to test new car without investigating performance of 2009 contender on all tracks this season.

[chepoi]

Very doubtful. They have a 2009 campaign to deal with before they thing about 2010. No matter how far along they could be, there is no way they'd have started testing on a 2010 car. Hell last year it wasn't until the very end of the season until they started work on it.

PDLR already testing the 2010 tyres... BUT the testing time/days already added as mclaren testing time for 2009.... in fact it should be added into the third party working group testing time and with that reasons... i felt that they have been working for 2010. It is not impossible though to assumed...

McLaren got a lot of resources. And so far their 2009 is far reliable than the rest of the field. For me.. it's ok to test for the next year car for 3 to 4 days.... and they test it early. They don't have to worry about the engine.... they don't have to worry abuot ECU.... they only have to concentrate on mechanical grip, aero grip..... and they got a lot of "free" time though. What else to do? think 2010..... might be...


Others might forgot that there is 6 Mercedes powered engine cars on the grid. 1 testing day... is equal to 3 testing days for them. If i was Whitmarsh.... i'll say.... it's okey... we take 3 days for 2010 car test.... because we already get 3 testing days in a day for 2009 car!


i just trying to think outside the box.... and still acceptable opinion... And for me McLaren 2009 is the most confident team so far in their testing result.

[timbo]

PDLR already testing the 2010 tyres...

Not only McLaren did so.

McLaren got a lot of resources. And so far their 2009 is far reliable than the rest of the field.

They had their share of mechanical problems too.

They don't have to worry about the engine.... they don't have to worry abuot ECU.... they only have to concentrate on mechanical grip, aero grip..... and they got a lot of "free" time though. What else to do? think 2010..... might be...

Problem is at this point they don't know much about the behavior of 2009 car to improve it. They only tested it in Portimao and Jerez so far and conditions were far from optimal most of the time, so how do they know how the tyres would work in Turkey, Monaco etc..

Others might forgot that there is 6 Mercedes powered engine cars on the grid. 1 testing day... is equal to 3 testing days for them.

It's irrelevant because chassis are different. Even if they shared all the telemetry it would be close to useless. And so far FI only joined them in Jerez.

i just trying to think outside the box.... and still acceptable opinion... And for me McLaren 2009 is the most confident team so far in their testing result.

Well, imagine it's true. So after the end of 2009 season they would effectively test a year-old car. What's the point? They did that once with MP4-18 (testing new car, while trying to improve current) and that wasn't the high point of their history.

[nudger]

with the greatest of respect, they dont have 2010 technical regulations yet, so how can they be working on next years car.
and most, if not all the teams are going to have a test day with next years tyres. the same day mclaren did, so did bmw. ferrari were due to test them the following day...only to have to sit it out because of the rain