McLaren MP4-29 Mercedes

[Jef Patat]

Happened to have found the answer to my own question:

http://adamcooperf1.com/2014/03/31/boul ... r-mclaren/

Boullier:

I think with the heat we knew we would suffer because the tyres were degrading much more, and overheating, and this is where the other teams gained.

Could it be related to their suspension? Doing more bad than good?

[Gaz.]

That Front wing Stakes look amazing. Never seen them curved.

Indeed, can't get my head around it at all. The curvature also increases outwards, looks cool, but i wonder why. Anyone?

Would they cause a vortex that could help channel air around the front wheels?

[frosty125]

So am I right to think that this car has a good balance and good low speed traction. In Malaysia I noticed despite the Williams having good top speed and clearly greater pace the McLaren seemed to launch it onto the straights out of the slower corners. Perhaps this is where the wishbones are at their most effective?

[Thunder]

Could it be related to their suspension? Doing more bad than good?

I think it's more the lack of Downforce. They need to gain quickly there.

[willmesquita]

Could it be related to their suspension? Doing more bad than good?

I think it's more the lack of Downforce. They need to gain quickly there.

Damn that cokebottle...the rear of MP4-29 is just too fat in comparision to RB10 and W05...

[JDC123]

Could it be related to their suspension? Doing more bad than good?

I think it's more the lack of Downforce. They need to gain quickly there.

Damn that cokebottle...the rear of MP4-29 is just too fat in comparision to RB10 and W05...

I totally agree, but it was better to start the season with a reliable car which can be refined than to be attempting to fix major issues with the car. Touch wood, the McLaren has been one of the most reliable cars so far, apart from fp3 at the weekend. I have every confidence McLaren can develop this car into a winner; they have always been good a developing through the season and with some good technical staff coming in during the winter this should be further evidence they will do the same this year.

[Gridlock]

The coke-bottle shape is merely reflective of the overall design philosophy, it's not like a "1-100 scale of how good a car is". As the McLaren has novel, unique rear aero attributes it stands to reason that this coke-bottle shaping is intentional.

[Jef Patat]

The coke-bottle shape is merely reflective of the overall design philosophy, it's not like a "1-100 scale of how good a car is". As the McLaren has novel, unique rear aero attributes it stands to reason that this coke-bottle shaping is intentional.

My intuition is the same I think. The lower part of the coke bottle end doesn't need to be as tight as RB or Merc, the airflow is 'obstructed' by the buttefly arms by intention to create low pressure behind them, so it's better to guide the air somewhere else. I find it hard to get a grip on whether a clean coke bottle is a better rear downforce strategy than the butterflies.

[Thunder]

A few more Shots of the New Nose / Wing.

[Blackout]

Sorry if repost. Didnt see this pic in this thread before.
From Scarbs

[willmesquita]

The coke-bottle shape is merely reflective of the overall design philosophy, it's not like a "1-100 scale of how good a car is". As the McLaren has novel, unique rear aero attributes it stands to reason that this coke-bottle shaping is intentional.

My intuition is the same I think. The lower part of the coke bottle end doesn't need to be as tight as RB or Merc, the airflow is 'obstructed' by the buttefly arms by intention to create low pressure behind them, so it's better to guide the air somewhere else. I find it hard to get a grip on whether a clean coke bottle is a better rear downforce strategy than the butterflies.

You probably right, I saw in another thread this numbers on F1 car downforce generation( numbers from 2004):

...I've heard that the distribuition of downforce is aproximatly:

35 - 40% - rear wing
25 - 35% - front wing
20 - 25% - diffuser
5 - 10% - body work (including flip ups.....etc)

What means McLaren need to work more on our wings (and - I can't resist - explains why Red Bull has so much downforce...).

[Just_a_fan]

2004 aero rules were very different to today so those figures are probably a fair bit out now.

[Thunder]

Bahrain Thursday via AMuS







So there's hope for the old Nose to survive the attack of that pesky ugly one? ^^

[Jef Patat]

But surprised to see the old nose again

[stefan_]

Bahrain 2014 - Thursday (03.04.2014)