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[Orgun]

 

[Cereal KiIIer]

SEX ON WHEELS

 

[navanman]

McLaren have admitted the exhaust seen on the launch car in Berlin will not the one tested or raced next week along with a few more hidden changes.

ScarbF1 say the channels are already in the lower floor to run the front exit exhaust (FEE)

MP4-26 KERS "is now a single integrated unit that sits within the survival cell, beneath the fuel-tank" battery or hydraulic?

 

[navanman]

What are the significant visual changes to the MP4-26?
I think there are some novel features on the car – the long wheelbase and U-shaped sidepods are probably the most obvious examples. The thinking behind that is to feed as much good-quality air as possible to the rear-lower mainplane and the floor of the car. We want to get the rear-end working as well as possible following the loss of performance caused by the banning of the double-diffuser.

 For 2011, KERS [hybrid] is now a single integrated unit that sits within the survival cell, beneath the fuel-tank. In 2009, it was housed in the sidepods. The hybrid’s cooling intake sits directly below the main rollhoop intake. 

And, once again, we’ve really pushed the car’s cooling configuration: we’ve got a second air intake on the engine cover for gearbox and hydraulic cooling.

What have been your biggest challenges ahead of the 2011 season?
For me, there have been two: recovering the rear downforce we lost following the banning of the double-diffuser, and fully exploiting the Pirelli tyres. The tyres only last for around 10 laps, and making them last longer is quite a challenge. So we need to look closely at how we configure the set-up and suspension to make the tyres last.”
KERS was also more difficult to package because you’ve got to carry more fuel. That was the first challenge, but we got through that. There were a few difficult decisions concerning architecture around different aerodynamic concepts, but I think we ended up with a design layout we’re happy with.

You’ve stressed the team-effort that has characterised the development of this car – does the recent restructure of the technical management reflect that?
It’s not just good for the individuals; it’s good for the company and good for the end-product. I think we’re going to make better cars because we have wider access to the horsepower available within the design system. They’re all good guys and all have good ideas – it’s a cliché, but car design really is a team effort these days.

What are your immediate aspirations as you roll out MP4-26?
We set ourselves a very ambitious aerodynamic target for 2011. We always want to do more and we’re always very critical about performance, but we feel we’ve done a good job. We’ve identified some areas where we can add performance to the car – over the next weeks, the task will be to get them on to the car and reliable by the first race. That’s the big challenge.

RaceCar Engineering

 

[kharma45]

That McLaren looks awesome, love the exhaust placement too.

 

[arena08]

You can see from this angle that the bodywork has a similar shape as the top tier Le Mans cars. I wonder if that is intentional.

 

[navanman]

McLaren says the biggest secrets of its new MP4-26 have remained hidden for now - after it went to extreme lengths not to give away too much about its 2011 challenger at its launch on Friday.

The team opted for a unique unveiling of its new car, which was assembled in front of the public in Berlin after being wheeled across Potsdamer Platz.

However, to ensure that it did not reveal the internal designs of the car, McLaren fitted the car with fake internals, including a plastic engine and exhaust, so that there was no chance of anyone catching a glimpse of secret innovations.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said that the car would be developed aggressively before the start of the season - and confirmed that the team gave little away about its design in Berlin, beyond its U-shaped sidepods.

"Be warned, you haven't seen it all," he said during a media conference. "I think there are some really interesting bits on the car that you can see. But there are some bits we have hidden from you and our competition.

"F1 is about continuous development, and we will start testing next week. By that stage the car will have moved on subtly. There are some fantastic innovations. It never ceases to amaze me that even though the regulations are much more constrictive, especially around the diffuser area, it just drives creativity.

"For me, one of the thrilling parts of my job is to look at what much cleverer people than me are doing. They have some great ideas, it's interesting, it's challenging, and there is some risk. But we're in a business where if you're not innovative, you're not competitive.

"Naturally, we have not shown you and our competitors our full hand today. Still, I think there are enough interesting things to see. I think it's a beautifully packaged car. I'm brimming with excitement, I think it's a fantastic car."

Autosport

 

[Ghost]

I feel like cars that look radically different from the rest of the pack rarely outperform it. Thats 100% conjecture on my part though.

 

[Wes]

That front wing looks complex for sure!

The Pirelli tyres last 10 laps? There must be some kind of condition for this to be so.

 

[WorriedCitizen]

It's quite ugly and it doesn't look as fast as some of the competitors. This can only work if their innovation gives them a big advantage. It's clear that they had to make a lot of compromises for these sidepods.

 

[345triangle]

the new mclaren car looks like something from wipeout 2097. i love it!

 

[Caramello]

I feel like cars that look radically different from the rest of the pack rarely outperform it. Thats 100% conjecture on my part though.

I think that's the case with designs that are different just to be different, however designs that are different because of actual innovations in performance (i.e. function over form) don't have that issue.

It'll be interesting to see which way the new McLaren goes..

 

[Dead Man]

http://i56.tinypic.com/34xq060.jpg[IMG]

You can see from this angle that the bodywork has a similar shape as the top tier Le Mans cars. I wonder if that is intentional.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I was wondering about that. I think they want to channel the air for a reason, I just don't know what.

[QUOTE=Ghost]I feel like cars that look radically different from the rest of the pack rarely outperform it. Thats 100% conjecture on my part though.[/QUOTE]
Williams would agree with you.

[QUOTE=WorriedCitizen]It's quite ugly and it doesn't look as fast as some of the competitors. This can only work if their innovation gives them a big advantage. It's clear that they had to make a lot of compromises for these sidepods.[/QUOTE]
I don't think the visual appearance is very useful in determining what will work and what won't these days, the aerodynamics are just too complicated for an untrained eye to figure out.

 

[arena08]

It's quite ugly and it doesn't look as fast as some of the competitors. This can only work if their innovation gives them a big advantage. It's clear that they had to make a lot of compromises for these sidepods.

What are you talking about?! This is baseless nonsense.

 

[Adamm]

For some reason I just cant see this working.
Surely something like this would have be thought of by another team before? All other sidepods have been so similar for years, have been doing it wrong all this time?

Other innovations like the blown diffuser or the f-duct seemed very clever, but this just seems like they ran out of idea's and just wanted to be different & hope for the best.

I guess we will see

Spoiler

I hope im wrong

 

[Wes]

Just read an article about the movable rear wing. It was a real downer. Less excited now.

 

[S. L.]

i like the long straight nose. looks pretty cool compared to all the crooked stuff we have now.

 

[Dead Man]

Just read an article about the movable rear wing. It was a real downer. Less excited now.

Over complicated, over regulated rubbish, even if it works.

 

[WorriedCitizen]

What are you talking about?! This is baseless nonsense.

It's not. A tightly packed car is usualy considered optimal for reasons of weight distribution and air flow - see new RBR, Ferrari, Williams. The new McLaren gave this up for big sidepods and massive rear. The advantage they gain from their solution must be bigger than the compromises they made for it or the car will turn out to be a dog.

 

[navanman]

Over complicated, over regulated rubbish, even if it works.

Agree its a rubbish gimmick. The speed gain that the teams were seeing in Valencia were nowhere near what they were expecting.

 

[TylerD]

I really like the look of the MP4-26. There is nothing anywhere close to it as far as visual interest is concerned and I hope that it performs well, just not as well as the RB7.

Bring on March 13!

 

[Leunam]

Damn, can't get over the sidepods and exhaust. Here's hoping for a great season.

 

[mclaren777]

You can drive the MP4-26!

[U]http://mclaren.com/2011revealed/[/U]

And you can adjust the settings in the menu for better graphics.

Edit: beaten

 

[mclaren777]

McLaren have admitted the exhaust seen on the launch car in Berlin will not the one tested or raced next week along with a few more hidden changes.

ScarbF1 say the channels are already in the lower floor to run the front exit exhaust (FEE)

"McLaren have two exhaust solutions ready to run in testing and two more in development. They have not decided which to use yet none are FEE." -- Source

 

[mclaren777]

Could the rear suspension be mounted to the engine instead of the gearbox?

 

[brotkasten]

I feel like cars that look radically different from the rest of the pack rarely outperform it. Thats 100% conjecture on my part though.

Never forget.

On that note: I miss the wide rear spoiler.

 

[Zinga]

The Mclaren's always look technically complex, but that is no barometer for performance on the track. No doubt it'll be fast, but lets wait and see until the next test and Bahrain.

 

[ExtraKr1spy]

Interesting car by Mclaren. Looks like they just turned the sidepods upside down. Not as cool looking as the STR6 sidepods imho but its nice that it looks different from the rest.

Last years car was built around their massive diffuser and F-Duct which worked but the diffuser gave them problems when it was time to adapt the Exhaust Blown Diffuser. Wonder if Mclaren made the car more adaptable in terms of development?

 

[mclaren777]

It really bothers me that the Pirelli logo on the tires isn't curved. It looks terrible in motion. :|

 

[Cereal KiIIer]

I feel like cars that look radically different from the rest of the pack rarely outperform it. Thats 100% conjecture on my part though.

Never forget

 

[AndyD]

I also agree it it starting to look like a LeMans style body shape. Which is far more effective from what I understand than F1 classic shapes.

That front wing looks mean and the rear end is large. I think when they suggested the car would be very different and turn heads they were very right.

Now the proof is in the pudding. And the stupid tires. Any car and driver who is easy on the tires should really shine. Even squeezing one extra lap out of 10 lap tires would make a huge difference long term.

 

[SCHUEY F1]

Never forget.

On that note: I miss the wide rear spoiler.

I kinda liked the look of the walrus Williams. I also think the McLaren looks fantastic. Whether it is a good car or not remains to be seen.

 

[SCHUEY F1]

Pirelli's new intermediate tires.

 

[mclaren777]

The only thing we really know about the MP4-26 is the general configuration of the main bodywork (sidepods, engine cover, etc). Everything else from the front/rear wings to the exhaust to the diffuser hasn't truly been shown and we likely won't see that stuff until next week at Jerez.

I can't wait!

 

[DrM]

You can see from this angle that the bodywork has a similar shape as the top tier Le Mans cars. I wonder if that is intentional.

Ron Dennis looks very proud on that pics

Kudos to Mclaren, atleast they try to innovate, i just hope that this thing will work

 

[navanman]

For those interested here is an explanation of how the design works along with a pro & con provided by the excellent Craig Scarborough.
http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/mclaren-mp4-26-l-shaped-sidepods/

 

[Dilly]

Added Scarbs F1 blog, some interesting stuff on there.

 

[navanman]

The new McLaren is a modern take on the 96 Ferrari F310.

 

[brotkasten]

The new McLaren is a modern take on the 96 Ferrari F310.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Ferrari_F310_1996_Schumacher.jpg/701px-Ferrari_F310_1996_Schumacher.jpg[IMG]

[IMG]http://ferraris-online.com/cars/FE-F310-168/images/P000Fade.jpg[IMG][/QUOTE]
Isn't that kinda bad? I don't remember the car being that good or reliable.

 

[AndyD]

Isn't that kinda bad? I don't remember the car being that good or reliable.

Its not necessarily that the unreliability was due to the air configuration. It may have well been engines or transmissions or who knows.

 

[navanman]

I think reliability was the problem with the car, maybe Ferrari's first year running a V10 engine? Still Schumacher won a few races with it.

 

[Deadman]

I think reliability was the problem with the car, maybe Ferrari's first year running a V10 engine? Still Schumacher won a few races with it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8034559.stm

Best drive ever. Plus my earliest f1 memory.

 

[Deadman]

[Admin]:
Managergame will be updated this weekend. New drivers, engines, chassis and fuel.
02/04/2011 7:56:08 PM

.

 

[Articate]

I think reliability was the problem with the car, maybe Ferrari's first year running a V10 engine? Still Schumacher won a few races with it.

Never forget Spain '96.

EDIT: Hah, I didn't even know that was what Deadman had linked. Legendary race. I watch it at least annually.

 

[avaya]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8034559.stm

Best drive ever.

This. Fucking this.

 

[S. L.]

.

I predict another glorious season for team NeoGAF

 

[itsgreen]

I kinda liked the look of the walrus Williams. I also think the McLaren looks fantastic. Whether it is a good car or not remains to be seen.

I absolutely love it. Think it is my favorite Williams... even above the '97 Williams which had gorgeous lines.

 

[Articate]

Also, I withdraw my statement of teams likely using softer suspension this year. At this point I'm at a slight loss. Depends on what they figure out is fastest in a race - more pit stops on softer suspension and more grip but more wear or trying to save the tyres with lower speed while on track but fewer pit stops.

Hopefully we'll see a paradigm shift. The only thing that made me excited last year was Schumacher's return. The Korea race was awesome. I think Red Bull will stay the same this year as last - steadily the best team, but with minor techincal difficulties. Hopefully Schumacher gets a car he can work overtime with and really eek out the extra performance he's found in cars in earlier years that he was really comfortable with. Maybe he's grown less adaptive since '93, but no matter I hope he gets a more oversteering car this year, and no more of that terminally understeering Button stuff.

 

[S. L.]

Also, I withdraw my statement of teams likely using softer suspension this year. At this point I'm at a slight loss. Depends on what they figure out is fastest in a race - more pit stops on softer suspension and more grip but more wear or trying to save the tyres with lower speed while on track but fewer pit stops.

Hopefully we'll see a paradigm shift. The only thing that made me excited last year was Schumacher's return. The Korea race was awesome. I think Red Bull will stay the same this year as last - steadily the best team, but with minor techincal difficulties. Hopefully Schumacher gets a car he can work overtime with and really eek out the extra performance he's found in cars in earlier years that he was really comfortable with. Maybe he's grown less adaptive since '93, but no matter I hope he gets a more oversteering car this year, and no more of that terminally understeering Button stuff.

we heard exactly the same bitching about tyres not lasting 10 laps last year as well. while i belive they won't last as long. i don't think we will see more than maybe 1 stop more. so 2-3 stop strategies.

 

[Articate]

we heard exactly the same bitching about tyres not lasting 10 laps last year as well. while i belive they won't last as long. i don't think we will see more than maybe 1 stop more. so 2-3 stop strategies.

Last year I think everyone secretly hoped for it. I still think banning of refueling is questionably a stupid thing to do.