McLaren MP4-27 Mercedes (pre-launch speculation)

[NoDivergence]

I think we may see something very interesting (F-duct level of innovation) down the line. For now, they should be working on getting reliable downforce and mechanical dynamics and correlate it to the wind tunnel and simulator

[Javert]

Yet another prototype

[wesley123]

Just like all the others I cannot see how an radiator would fit in there

[FrukostScones]

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Yet another prototype

3,5 Month old, page 8 of the thread.

[MIKEY_!]

Multi layered radiators would be necessary to go down that route. I can't see it happening.

[bbt]

Anyone else noticed that Scarbs tweeted a french report that the 27 already has surpassed the downforce levels of the 26? Is this a surprise or expected?

As has been said already PR for the sponsors, take it with a pitch of salt at this stage.

RBR have also indicated that the RB8 has passed the down-force levels of the RB7.

For me the most interesting question is can Mclaren keep the U-shape sidepod with the new exhaust exit, where could the exhaust exit with U-shaped sidepods? Anyone drawn a mock up?

[Richard]

As ever team knows, and McLaren have spectacularly proven for the last 2 or 3 years, the downforce calculated on the computer is no necessarily the same as that achieved on track.

[shelly]

@richard: there is also the downforce measured in the windtunnel, but it can also be not close to the track value

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Word is McLaren are toying with using the Peltier Effect on the 27. This could surely improve the performance of the car as long as it doesn't suffer from reliability issues.

[shelly]

@crucial: where does this rumor come from? autosport forum? twitter? other source?

[ajdavison2]

Sorry peltier effect? Can anyone dumb that down slightly haha?

[MIKEY_!]

The Peltier effect is the presence of heat at an electrified junction of two different metals and is named for French physicist Jean-Charles Peltier, who discovered it in 1834. When a current is made to flow through a junction composed of materials A and B, heat is generated at the junction

It's only wikipedia but you get the idea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelec ... ier_effect

Not sure where they would get sufficient current from though. To be effective in F1 I'd have thought a very large current would be needed assuming it's for some kind of DF gain.

[dren]

It's thermoelectric cooling/heating. The device can be used backwards as well, using a temperature difference to generate an electric current.

[mith]

EDIT: Wow. This discussion is too fast for me to follow

Oh, so you can use it in backward manner. Charging KERS? I thought it's relatively easy to charge at today's limited battery capacity.

Orginal post:

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelec ... ier_effect

For what purpose can it be used in the racing car? To speed up heat transfer from one part of the radiator to the other or (really wild guess!) to help create radiators out of different metallic parts of the car (ie. engine or ballast)?

[dren]

I'm guessing either replace the radiators, or use it as an electric generating device. But I don't see the need for that since they get enough KERS from braking. Plus that might be illegal