2021 Mclaren F1 Team

[Emag]

Man, now that McLaren has gotten more competitive I have started to enjoy race weekends more. I am actually somewhat bummed that we don't have a race this week.

[diffuser]

I noticed that Ivan Roldan was recently at MTC after he spent a year at Indicar. Could he have brought important information about Venturi tunels from this championship.

The car is designed(aero) at Dallara. I think everyone uses the same car. I would think he's more of a setup guy than anything.

[djos]

That’s the tragedy of been a public figure… Your actions are judged and overanalyzed and it’s easy to always find fault on someone if that is what one is looking for.

What impresses me the most is how these kids handle the amount of scrutiny, criticism and pressure that comes with the job “off the track”… At 21, I know I would have handle all of it differently (not good) and even at twice that age, I would still probably struggle to keep my composure… That in itself is impressive (and I’m not talking only about Lando is what most young drivers deal with, but F1 is probably the biggest platform of them all).

<introspective reply>
As always there are two camps, and the upset camp tends to be very loud. You're my age small soldier, so you now well that we have gone through something comparable to the industrial revolution with the internet.

Sadly, it's at a very immature stage and the internet is the worst thing in the world for polarisation, and is a prime reason from Trump, Brexit, the rise of right wing feelings and.... everybody believing in their own opinion, simply because the internet likes to tell us what we want to hear. Google and Facebook are coded to do as much so really we are all stuffed on that front.

As always, this internet culture has informed us on how to behave in real life. At least until someone punches us in the face for being so obnoxious and we realise the internet is not real and that that kind of behaviour is neither helpful nor grown up.

And it does all come down to that ability to not to get upset and to keep a balanced view. A rare commodity indeed.

</introspective reply>

I agree with you 100%

Another chap here who grew up in the 80's (born in 75) - I totally agree, the internet echo chamber created by FaceHugger and amplified by Murdoch's global propaganda machine has really polarised the heck out of society.

Lando at 21 is doing an amazing job dealing with the pressure of F1. I've been managing Major Incident's professionally for over 10 years and even I lose my cool occasionally. It's part of being human.

[billamend]

[Ground Effect]

I remember watching the sky feature or Carlos had Lando, and another one where it was Lando and Johnny I think? And it was a small detail that stood out to me about Norris: he’s not very good at multitasking while driving. Not saying most drivers are good at that, but he seemed to make a big deal about the fact that he couldn’t focus on driving on the limit while being interviewed and talking.

That weakness was exposed here. His communication while focused, especially under pressure, is not very effective. But it was hardly mitigated by McLaren’s communication over the radio, they weren’t assertive with any advice, they sounded like they were nearly panicking when they were leaning on Lando about what to do. But then that goes back to whoever is running their weather data, either the weather people weren’t as confident and assertive about what they were interpreting, or McLaren struggled to take that advice because it’s so difficult to give up the lead in a marginal call.

I don’t think it’s as complicated as you’ve made it out to be. I’m inclined to believe these qualities improve with experience. Lando, though in his 3rd season ls till lacks experience in certain scenarios. This was a first for him, fighting for a win in changeable conditions. It was probably a first time for other members of the team as well. I don’t see it as weakness, just inexperience.

[mclaren111]

Yeah, I was thinking recently about that. In the past Lando was accused of being too careful, not being aggressive enough. But when he is, people --- on him for taking risks and taking a stance.

Glad to read that acknowledgement from you. I agree, I rather him loose like this than playing it safe, at least until they are not fighting for a championship. It builds character.

That’s the tragedy of been a public figure… Your actions are judged and overanalyzed and it’s easy to always find fault on someone if that is what one is looking for.

What impresses me the most is how these kids handle the amount of scrutiny, criticism and pressure that comes with the job “off the track”… At 21, I know I would have handle all of it differently (not good) and even at twice that age, I would still probably struggle to keep my composure… That in itself is impressive (and I’m not talking only about Lando is what most young drivers deal with, but F1 is probably the biggest platform of them all).

<introspective reply>
As always there are two camps, and the upset camp tends to be very loud. You're my age small soldier, so you now well that we have gone through something comparable to the industrial revolution with the internet.

Sadly, it's at a very immature stage and the internet is the worst thing in the world for polarisation, and is a prime reason from Trump, Brexit, the rise of right wing feelings and.... everybody believing in their own opinion, simply because the internet likes to tell us what we want to hear. Google and Facebook are coded to do as much so really we are all stuffed on that front.

As always, this internet culture has informed us on how to behave in real life. At least until someone punches us in the face for being so obnoxious and we realise the internet is not real and that that kind of behaviour is neither helpful nor grown up.

And it does all come down to that ability to not to get upset and to keep a balanced view. A rare commodity indeed.

</introspective reply>

Agree... The world is in a very precarious state at the moment...

Main Stream Media are now propaganda spreaders dependend on their political interests, including Social Media...

Sadly, every aspect of life has being politicized & it's going to be some time before that is "rectified"...

[_cerber1]

The car is designed(aero) at Dallara. I think everyone uses the same car. I would think he's more of a setup guy than anything.

Isn't that half the battle? When you know how it works in practice, you can take this into account in your work, various little things and nuances can ultimately play a key role. I really hope that Ivan spent a year in America for a reason.

[billamend]

The car is designed(aero) at Dallara. I think everyone uses the same car. I would think he's more of a setup guy than anything.

Isn't that half the battle? When you know how it works in practice, you can take this into account in your work, various little things and nuances can ultimately play a key role. I really hope that Ivan spent a year in America for a reason.

A few months ago, people were wondering if Mclaren SP was cheating because their setup was allowing them to be super fast. Apparently they spent a lot of effort to setup suspension to optimize aero. https://racer.com/2021/06/13/indycar-ri ... ce-2-pace/

Pato O’Ward’s rivals want to know how the driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevy was able to fire past them in the closing laps and run away to a gaudy 6.7s victory over three tours of Detroit’s Belle Isle street circuit.

It wasn’t just that O’Ward tore through the field—he’s made a name by executing pass after thrilling pass—but rather, how easily he found speed and grip when others in the lead group were forced to treat the brake and throttle pedals with mild contempt on restarts.

If charging from a starting position of P16 to the lead on Lap 68 of 70 wasn’t enough of a statement by O’Ward and the engineering talent contained within AMSP, his ability to disappear over those final three laps and build a staggering margin over Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden is where the Mexican’s adversaries would like to have some answers.

“We need to see why Pato was like four seconds a lap faster on those restarts,” said Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou, who was passed by the 22-year-old in the closing laps and finished P3.

“We could definitely find some stuff to make the car a little better on restarts, but whatever Pato and the [AMSP] guys have is really good, so we need to work up towards that,” said Andretti Autosport’s Colton Herta who, like Newgarden and Palou, had no answer for O’Ward.

Graham Rahal was an early victim of O’Ward’s outrageous speed in Round 2’s closing stanza. Add the Rahal Letterman Lanigan driver to the growing list of curious and envious contenders.

“I don’t know…Pato did a wonderful job, but the [AMSP] cars always on restarts, [are] so fast,” he said after finishing P5. “We just have to figure out how they generate tire temperature when the rest of us seem to not. It is a massive difference, as everybody can see.”

So what’s the answer? Like AMSP would tell them…

[AeroDynamic]

I remember watching the sky feature or Carlos had Lando, and another one where it was Lando and Johnny I think? And it was a small detail that stood out to me about Norris: he’s not very good at multitasking while driving. Not saying most drivers are good at that, but he seemed to make a big deal about the fact that he couldn’t focus on driving on the limit while being interviewed and talking.

That weakness was exposed here. His communication while focused, especially under pressure, is not very effective. But it was hardly mitigated by McLaren’s communication over the radio, they weren’t assertive with any advice, they sounded like they were nearly panicking when they were leaning on Lando about what to do. But then that goes back to whoever is running their weather data, either the weather people weren’t as confident and assertive about what they were interpreting, or McLaren struggled to take that advice because it’s so difficult to give up the lead in a marginal call.

I don’t think it’s as complicated as you’ve made it out to be. I’m inclined to believe these qualities improve with experience. Lando, though in his 3rd season ls till lacks experience in certain scenarios. This was a first for him, fighting for a win in changeable conditions. It was probably a first time for other members of the team as well. I don’t see it as weakness, just inexperience.

Sure it’s experience in part, but you’re being dismissive of that quality about him. It’s not like I’m making it up; he explained it himself. Other drivers like Carlos were comfortable in comparison.

Johnny: why do you stop talking [during interview] ?
Lando: I can’t do both [driving on the limit] I really struggle!

I’m not going to be able to talk [during the lap]

I can’t talk and drive!

*beaches car in the gravel*

Given he’s not racing another car under pressure, like he was with Hamilton in Russia, you wouldn’t say it was inherent to the situation or the experience (3 seasons) he clearly says he struggles in general with multitasking conversation while driving on the limit.

[diffuser]

The car is designed(aero) at Dallara. I think everyone uses the same car. I would think he's more of a setup guy than anything.

Isn't that half the battle? When you know how it works in practice, you can take this into account in your work, various little things and nuances can ultimately play a key role. I really hope that Ivan spent a year in America for a reason.

He probably did but it's not going to help in setting up the 2022 car. I don't understand why you think it would.

[Big Tea]

Until this year Lando has been the team junior. Sainz was very mature in handling people and was well established when Lando came to 'his' team. This year it is Lando's team and he has grown into the position Carlos was last year. Some don't like to be the driving force but he seems to thrive on it. Still not that experienced, but he is taking on the role with relish

[the EDGE]

Lando Norris says he worked intensively for two days in McLaren's simulator to understand along with his team the events that led to his painful defeat in the Russian Grand Prix.

https://f1i.com/news/420046-norris-unde ... t.html/amp

[adrianjordan]

Lando Norris says he worked intensively for two days in McLaren's simulator to understand along with his team the events that led to his painful defeat in the Russian Grand Prix.

https://f1i.com/news/420046-norris-unde ... t.html/amp

I always applaud hard work and reflection, but I think the cause is quite clear. The team didn't interpret the weather well enough and also didn't realise that they only needed to mirror what Max did and they would, as a result, cover off Lewis too.

I mean hell, I was sat at home screaming at them to pit for Inters....and I had less information than they must surely have had!!!

[diffuser]

Lando Norris says he worked intensively for two days in McLaren's simulator to understand along with his team the events that led to his painful defeat in the Russian Grand Prix.

https://f1i.com/news/420046-norris-unde ... t.html/amp

I always applaud hard work and reflection, but I think the cause is quite clear. The team didn't interpret the weather well enough and also didn't realise that they only needed to mirror what Max did and they would, as a result, cover off Lewis too.

I mean hell, I was sat at home screaming at them to pit for Inters....and I had less information than they must surely have had!!!

Not sure what you can do better. Not like you can guarantee that it is gonna rain harder next time. Next reoccurrence they'll pit for inters and the exact might opposite happen, maybe Perez wins....

It wasn't that Merc pitted cause of the rain, they pitted to cover Max. Max had much older tires so he started slide in short time, like Ricciardo.

The biggest influence to what happened to Norris was that Norris was able to go very long in the first stint and had very fresh tires when the rain hit.

[adrianjordan]

https://f1i.com/news/420046-norris-unde ... t.html/amp

I always applaud hard work and reflection, but I think the cause is quite clear. The team didn't interpret the weather well enough and also didn't realise that they only needed to mirror what Max did and they would, as a result, cover off Lewis too.

I mean hell, I was sat at home screaming at them to pit for Inters....and I had less information than they must surely have had!!!

Not sure what you can do better. Not like you can guarantee that it is gonna rain harder next time. Next reoccurrence they'll pit for inters and the exact might opposite happen, maybe Perez wins....

It wasn't that Merc pitted cause of the rain, they pitted to cover Max. Max had much older tires so he started slide in short time, like Ricciardo.

The biggest influence to what happened to Norris was that Norris was able to go very long in the first stint and had very fresh tires when the rain hit.

Agreed, but at one point there was a massive gap that Lando could have pitted and come out again in 2nd. It was obvious that Lewis was going to have to cover off Max.

He was losing so much time in the damp sections that he was slower than those on inters. That to me in the time to switch with so few laps remaining. Earlier in the race, where there is a realistic chance that switching to inters would then entail another stop back to slicks, then yeah, gamble. But leading the race with so few laps left, even if the track dries the pace would be good enough on a drying track to make it work.

Then again I'm used to making quick literal life and death decisions in high pressure situations as part of my professional life. Hell, maybe I should go work for an F1 team!!