Mclaren MP4-30 Honda

[WaikeCU]

According to Movistar TV.

Barcelona test 1: new engine spec.
Barcelona test 2: new engine spec.
Monaco: Chassis spec B

Alonso first to test in Barcelona.

hmmm... was a potential big sponsor for Mclaren, but the deal turned sour.

So how do they know so much?

[CBeck113]

I'm calling BS on a new chassis, the lead time on a new chassis is quite a while so unless they discovered something wrong with the first chassis weeks ago there wouldn't be a B one. Maybe they meant an updated aero package which is to be expected we haven't even seen a monkey seat yet. New engine spec seems sensible to me as that is what Honda have already indicated.

I don't believe in a totally new chassis either.
Perhaps a newly designed gearbox with rear suspension setup during the season. The current rear suspension seems to be designed with the mushroom rear suspension arms in mind. Perhaps there was not too much focus in this area yet since PP took over.

Why do yo think that the suspension is designed for the mushrooms? They put wings / flow conditioners in thier place, which will be much more effective at helping the diffusor work without being a huge drag penalty - I believe that the design was not change for this purpose.

[dren]

It looks like they used some of last year's suspension points, maybe so they didn't have to modify the gearbox? I don't expect mushrooms, even if some of the points resemble last year's car.

[KingHamilton01]

Be interesting to see what McLaren bring in terms of updates to the first Barca test. Given the fact they haven't been able to do any significant Aero testing they might have to wait until they complete the test first? would expect them at very least to bring the monkey seat that is shown on the 360 virtual model.

[K407677]

According to Movistar TV.

Barcelona test 1: new engine spec.
Barcelona test 2: new engine spec.
Monaco: Chassis spec B

Alonso first to test in Barcelona.

Guys first post here, but is it true that the current chassis was 'locked in' for 2015 before Peter Prodromou's arrival? If so then maybe this B spec chassis is Prodromou's?

[PlatinumZealot]

Short memories are really prevalent in Formula 1! Mclaren don't need Peter to make a good chassis.
Peter has plenty of scope to work on with this "extreme" chassis. I woulnd't worry about it. It might even be better than a Red Bull Chassis.

[taperoo2k]

Prodromou is probably going to change big aspects of the MP4-30 throughout the season and a B spec of the chassis won't be a major surprise either. Might be wrong but I tend to think McLaren and Honda are probably looking at 2015 being a development year to get both sides working together properly towards the big goal - Constructors and Drivers titles challenge, with the hope they might if they are lucky win a race in 2015 towards the end of the season. Though my views could change depending on what the actual performance level of the Honda power unit is compared to others, the first test has been fairly inconclusive on that front and was more about working through the technical issues that popped up. Hopefully they'll fix those issues over the next two weeks before the next test.

Basically not expecting much from McLaren Honda in 2015, just a slow process of getting to grips with the power unit and inching forwards towards the sharp end of the grid. The MP4-30 looks to be a good basis to start working from, it might be a bit extreme but that's F1.

[dren]

According to Movistar TV.

Barcelona test 1: new engine spec.
Barcelona test 2: new engine spec.
Monaco: Chassis spec B

Alonso first to test in Barcelona.

Guys first post here, but is it true that the current chassis was 'locked in' for 2015 before Peter Prodromou's arrival? If so then maybe this B spec chassis is Prodromou's?

I'd guess they have a big aero update for Monaco, not a chassis update.

[dren]

Prodromou is probably going to change big aspects of the MP4-30 throughout the season and a B spec of the chassis won't be a major surprise either. Might be wrong but I tend to think McLaren and Honda are probably looking at 2015 being a development year to get both sides working together properly towards the big goal - Constructors and Drivers titles challenge, with the hope they might if they are lucky win a race in 2015 towards the end of the season. Though my views could change depending on what the actual performance level of the Honda power unit is compared to others, the first test has been fairly inconclusive on that front and was more about working through the technical issues that popped up. Hopefully they'll fix those issues over the next two weeks before the next test.

Basically not expecting much from McLaren Honda in 2015, just a slow process of getting to grips with the power unit and inching forwards towards the sharp end of the grid. The MP4-30 looks to be a good basis to start working from, it might be a bit extreme but that's F1.

What would change on the car? I expect a new nose but that is about it, besides small aero bits. The car is already drastically different from the 29.

[taperoo2k]

Prodromou is probably going to change big aspects of the MP4-30 throughout the season and a B spec of the chassis won't be a major surprise either. Might be wrong but I tend to think McLaren and Honda are probably looking at 2015 being a development year to get both sides working together properly towards the big goal - Constructors and Drivers titles challenge, with the hope they might if they are lucky win a race in 2015 towards the end of the season. Though my views could change depending on what the actual performance level of the Honda power unit is compared to others, the first test has been fairly inconclusive on that front and was more about working through the technical issues that popped up. Hopefully they'll fix those issues over the next two weeks before the next test.

Basically not expecting much from McLaren Honda in 2015, just a slow process of getting to grips with the power unit and inching forwards towards the sharp end of the grid. The MP4-30 looks to be a good basis to start working from, it might be a bit extreme but that's F1.

What would change on the car? I expect a new nose but that is about it, besides small aero bits. The car is already drastically different from the 29.

I doubt even McLaren really knows at this point, the main thing will be to get the MP4-30 and Honda Power Unit working well enough so they can make it onto the grid for the first race which really isn't far off now. Then they'll take it from there. I would assume Prodromou has a plan of where he wants to take the car aerodynamically over the course of the season depending on how the car develops in the early races.

[CjC]

Thought the rules only allow one chassis a season?

We had the same conversation with the 2012 mclaren, people speculated about a raised chassis for months and it never came!

[f1316]

Thought the rules only allow one chassis a season?

We had the same conversation with the 2012 mclaren, people speculated about a raised chassis for months and it never came!

Pretty sure you can have more than one in a season, you just have to go through crash tests + homologation again, not to mention very long lead times in designing these chassis.

That's why people don't do it, but don't think there's a rule preventing it

[matr!x]

this rear suspension geometry looks particular

[Tim.Wright]

It seems that McLaren and Mercedes are running without an independent toe link on the rear.

Or at least I haven't spotted it yet on either car.

[PlatinumZealot]

Thought the rules only allow one chassis a season?

We had the same conversation with the 2012 mclaren, people speculated about a raised chassis for months and it never came!

Pretty sure you can have more than one in a season, you just have to go through crash tests + homologation again, not to mention very long lead times in designing these chassis.

That's why people don't do it, but don't think there's a rule preventing it

Ferrari changed chassis in 2011 iirc Massa ran a lighter chassis with new lay up.