Here is a (I hope) better translation of the Omnicorse article:
omnicorse wrote:
In the 2014 cars there is not only the revolution of the new power unit, that dictates the return of the turbo, this time coupled with hybrid systems for better efficiency and lower fuel consumption. The new rules also determine a radical loss of aerodynamic load: the teams are looking for creative solutions to compensate, at least in part, for the lack of downforce.
With the 100 kg/h limit on fuel it does not make sense to try and find downforce just with the wings, because an higher angle of attack of the airfoils gives a big drag penalty.
INNOVATIVE REAR SUSPENSION To this end, McLaren are studying a solution for the rear that could be interesting: the Fia has banned the beam wing, which, besides acting as support for the endplates, had an important aerodynamic function.
It seems that Woking's engineers have proposed to Matt Morris, chief designer for the Mp4/29, an interesting idea, that technical director Tim Goss has approved on condition that a more traditional set-up would be developed in parallel.
A VENETIAN BLIND OF ARMS What is it about? Well-informed rumors have it that in Woking they would be building a suspension in which the track-rod arm would be positioned in cascade with the upper wishbone, in order to create some kind of "venetian blind" (maybe also together with a faired driveshaft) and replicate at least in part the effect of the beam wing. In Giorgio Piola's drawing it is shown that McLaren had started fairing the a-arms in the zone near the wheel-hub on the Mp4/28. It is evident that the engineers directed by Tim Goss have started from this solution to develop an interesting concept that could be used also by other teams. Anyway this concept is not brand new, since in 2007 a track-rod fairing was already present on the Mp4/22 designed by Mike Coughlan.
THE MP4/29 IS VERY LATE McLaren's bet could give aerodynamic advantages but it seems to have significant effects on suspension's rigidity. It is a brave move that will be shown at the car's unveil, but could be substituted with a more traditional layout in Jerez first tests, where making kilometers will be mandatory. It is rumored that the assembly of the first car is very late on the plans, so the car's unveil date could be changed, so much that maybe it will be shown directly in Andalusia...
