MP4-21

[Guest]

I recall Patrick Faure saying towards the end of last season that he could have asked the engine guys to give him 20bhp more, and he was entirely convinced they could have done so, but the risk/reward balance did not favour it at that stage of the season.

IMO Renault played it absolutely correctly last season - fast out of the box, consolidated mid-season and played it safe until the very end where they could show off and take their chance on reliability for Shanghai (esp as the engine was only going to do one race).

Whereas the Maccas were forced into taking risks and luck was not on their side and whatever the rights and wrongs of Rons comments about his drivers JPM (again IMO) threw away several points by poor strategic driving.

[monkeyboy1976]

And this season will not be as easy for McLaren as some suggest. They may have a great looking car but the following things must surely be a concern:-
1. Engine reliability (although better to be unrealiable in testing)
2. Drivers (both are very unsettled and this WILL distract - the timing of Alonso signing was unfortunate to say the least)

Ron as done some great things for the future recently; big sponsors, top driver signing. However, 2006 should be a great chance for McLaren (having missed a great one in 2005), but I think it might just slip away again I am sorry to say.
The loss of key design people could hamper them. I just hope there is sufficient talent to backfill and use the supposed good team structure that has been created to great effect.


IMHO - number 8 for MS.

[bernard]

The improved Mercedes engine will be brought in after the Jerez tests next week, and it will feature an incredible 50hp boost in power!
Mclaren will also introduce their new livery at the same time they test the improved engine for the first time. They wont have an official launch for the livery and car after all.

[joseff]

The last time I heard of a "50hp power boost" coming from Mercedes it was with the MP4/18A, and we all know what happened to *that* car.

[jgredline]

The last time I heard of a "50hp power boost" coming from Mercedes it was with the MP4/18A, and we all know what happened to *that* car.

Well thinking about, it is obviouse they are so down on power that a 50HP increase would be about right. Its not like Honda gaining 50HP. This 50HP increase will likley bring them closer to the top, but the reliability problem is still there.

[ginsu]

I start getting scared when Macca have duct tape on their car (under the siemens logo)...although, I guess it matches the paint

[bernard]

I think that's where they plug the laptop in. Mclaren staff is just showing their usual level of precision by misplacing the lid somewhere. I wonder if they do this with the engines too:
"Hey Ron, I lost one of the nuts here from the engine."
"Just put some duct tape on it and stop whining."
Then after the race:
"We sacrificed reliability to be the fastest."

[Spencifer_Murphy]

LMAO!!!

[manchild]

That is a test chassis. That is where they attach additional measuring/monitoring equipment.

[bernard]

That's not just in the test chassis, before the GP's in the starting grid the laptops are connected there, with the guy unplugging the lappie just moments before they leave for the warm up lap. I think the other teams might have it positioned in a slightly different place, but that's where it is on the Macs.

Couldn't find a picture, but this was the closest one.

[manchild]

Another pic of test chassis

[bernard]

Another pic of test chassis

ooh, you clever you.
i looked but I just couldn't find a photo of a mclaren on the starting grid. If you do, you'll find a geek sitting there with his lappie connected to that spot. Playing solitaire or whatever.

edit: kind of offtopic, but actually now that I think about it, they'll be racing with those chassis that are now in testing. Because they just shook down two new mp4-21's it will be at least over a month before they have two new one's ready.

[Becker4]

That is a test chassis. That is where they attach additional measuring/monitoring equipment.

so its not worth manufacturing a cap for that data port, because its just a test chasis? i doubt they were counting on duct tape for that bit for all of winter testing . . .

[ginsu]

I think the irony here lies in the fact that a $3 million dollar has duct tape on it at all. I would at least hope for it to be gold foil duct tape

[Apex]

Unfortunately for McLaren manufacturing a dust cap is most probably not on their priority list!