2019 Mclaren F1 Team - Renault

[_cerber1]

It seems that the chassis loaded decently on the aero, we are not in the top 10 at maximum speed.

https://twitter.com/F1/status/1142009160541884416

[Xero]

Solid start to the weekend! Look comfortable in P7/P8, with only Renault looking to challenge. Be interesting to see if they can hold that margin through FP2 later.

Didn't see any of FP1, did Norris run the new front suspension?

[M840TR]

How?
You might have a tiny decrease in the CoG, but it will be minscule compared to the effect from the frong wing running lower.

You want to say that POU works at high speeds? My opinion is that only at large turns of the steering wheel does the kinematics of the suspension change, i.e. at low speed, when the aero does not work.

I think his point is that the most significant gain is from aero, i.e it's not irrelevant at all.

[PhillipM]

You want to say that POU works at high speeds? My opinion is that only at large turns of the steering wheel does the kinematics of the suspension change, i.e. at low speed, when the aero does not work.

Well, firstly, this POU acronym that's sprung up is misleading because most teams already ran POU, just in a different spot, and secondly the inboard mount for the pushrod affects mainly spring preloads and transients, not the hardpoint geometery like castor, camber, etc - that's set by the wishbones.

Running the front wing closer to ground effect in tight corners where air would otherwise just flow in from under the endplate because of the yaw angle - is more significant than the 'changes in contact patch' (and anything required there could have already been engineered into the wishbone pickups before anyway).
MT840's explanation of the outer wheel getting pushed down and the inner wheel lifted up doesn't bear scrutiny even at first glance - regardless of other issues (it would cause more weight transfer, not less) - because the Mclaren implementation lifts both front wheels relative to the chassis in tight corners. You can see that just from the longitudinal position of it relative to the steering axis.

[mwillems]

You want to say that POU works at high speeds? My opinion is that only at large turns of the steering wheel does the kinematics of the suspension change, i.e. at low speed, when the aero does not work.

Well, firstly, this POU acronym that's sprung up is misleading because most teams already ran POU, just in a different spot, and secondly the inboard mount for the pushrod affects mainly spring preloads and transients, not the hardpoint geometery like castor, camber, etc - that's set by the wishbones.

Running the front wing closer to ground effect in tight corners where air would otherwise just flow in from under the endplate because of the yaw angle - is more significant than the 'changes in contact patch' (and anything required there could have already been engineered into the wishbone pickups before anyway).
MT840's explanation of the outer wheel getting pushed down and the inner wheel lifted up doesn't bear scrutiny even at first glance - regardless of other issues (it would cause more weight transfer, not less) - because the Mclaren implementation lifts both front wheels relative to the chassis in tight corners. You can see that just from the longitudinal position of it relative to the steering axis.

I think what is a little confusing is that everyone refers to the wheels being raised and lifted, when in fact it is the chassis being rolled in a direction relative to steering to keep the Aero level with the ground.

What I ant to get my head round and be clear about is that there seems to be two main benefits to this.

• The first is that a more stable car can operate in a more specific aero window and hence get closer to optimal

• The second is that now there is less yaw in low speed corners, are we able to physically lower the front of the car to enhance ground effect

• Thirdly, does this have much affect on mechanically induced traction, I would imagine a slight affect on CoG and that this will give a small benefit. But I can't imagine any really change in behavior between the tyre and the track that wasn't induced by aero?

I also remember some negative affects of running the front wing close to the ground, sometime around when everyone was discussing the new front wing concepts. Anyone know what that was?

I am keen to know if the car sits more level with the ground in mid speed corners as well. Obviously having a wider operating window here would be a great benefit, given our slower mid corner speed.

Edit: Just read in the technical thread that the car now naturally drops lower when the car is turning, so there is not necessarily a need to physically make the wing lower to the ground.

[godlameroso]

Too low and it stalls.

[mwillems]

Too low and it stalls.

Ahh, thanks. Yes, I remember now.

[PhillipM]

Fortunately Mclaren already have a fairly raised main outer profile to help against that - the outer endplate was already running on the floor in places.

[Andres125sx]

It seems to me that the M840TR is closest to the truth when it says that this solution increases the contact patch of heated rubber in a turn, this is pure mechanics, no aero.

How?
You might have a tiny decrease in the CoG, but it will be minscule compared to the effect from the frong wing running lower.

Just speculation on my side, but this is intended for very slow corners with high locking rates, so aero must be almost negligible.

Maybe it's affecting camber to improve contact patch even if there's no aero load?

[mclaren111]

Well, good for both teams, and for Sirotkin - he wasn't able to show an awful lot on track last year, but that's at least for a large part due to the car, and maybe the team, he was in. I do think he has shown throughout that he is a team player and hard worker though, so hope it brings him further chances. He didn't do badly in Le Mans last weekend!

Hope he brings some sponsorship money with him...

[_cerber1]

Hope he brings some sponsorship money with him...

Behind him is SMP-racing, but I do not think that Sirotkin was taken for money. He is the technically literate, has the education of an engineer, it was a pleasure to listen to him when he played for Williams.

[Ground Effect]

Hope he brings some sponsorship money with him...

Behind him is SMP-racing, but I do not think that Sirotkin was taken for money. He is the technically literate, has the education of an engineer, it was a pleasure to listen to him when he played for Williams.

I agree, he’s a bit looked down on as a pay driver, but I think he’s a very intelligent and insightful fellow, also technically sound. I remember during the winter test of 2017, he gave analysis of the cars by standing trackside and effectively disputed most of what Gary Anderson had said (especially on the MCL32). He ended up being more accurate.

[PhillipM]

Maybe it's affecting camber to improve contact patch even if there's no aero load?

Camber curves are set by the wishbones, not the push rod.

[fouad1979]

Norris is flying impressive

[Emag]

I am actually a little worried about Sainz. He has the new suspension and he hasn't been quicker than Norris this weekend. Anyone knows if he is in a different programme?