Ground Effect wrote: ↑30 Dec 2020, 07:09
Balalu wrote: ↑29 Dec 2020, 22:40
Any news on the wind tunnel?
McLaren's biggest feat of 2020 was their dual development campaign 2020-2021, which comprised their 2020 one, and yet still were able to stay competitive and clinch 3rd in the end.
Rival teams optimised their cars, but I bet McLaren can still get more out of theirs.
So unless there are nasty surprises, next year should be at least very interesting.
Exactly, Key hinted they could have done a bit more with the new nose in terms of R&D if not for the deadline, it had to go on the car by 30th September. So there should still be a bit more to come in that area, which of course has a strong relation with the new front wing, barge boards etc.
EDIT: The wind tunnel program should be back online, though now way behind schedule. I’m not sure when it’s due to be completed.
Of course the structural part of the nose can not be altered now, however there is opportunity for the fairings to be altered. I’m not sure what part key was referring too, let’s hope it’s the latter.
I’m also hoping that with the new investment the wind tunnel project can be sped up. Originally it was due to come online sometime in the middle of 2021. They stopped worked in March and restarted around August which is a 5 month delay although they said the project was about a year behind schedule.
Perhaps they can have this completed by early 2022 which although too late for the design of the new era of cars, would at least allow them to utilise it for the in-season development
What I can be sure of is that McLaren will want it ready as soon as possible. Of course the wind tunnel is only one part of the infrastructure project, they are also updating the CFD systems and the simulator, I guess there will have to be a balance of expenditure here so we will have to wait & see
Ive heard it said that the extra income from finishing 3rd will also be a boost, however with the huge loss of income FOM have suffered this year I expect the teams to receive probably less than half the prize money they would have otherwise received, so yes more for finishing 3rd, but sadly a big loss none the less