McLaren MCL36

[f1rules]

one problem for mclaren i think, is in that "fat" lower sidepod space, where everyone has their deep undercut, mclaren has all their electronics and its moved so forward as absolute posible, that will not make it easy to change concept?

[Maax70]

Looking at this there are some possibility for updates

And you are right , quite a "fat" or "double decker" sidepods with respect to RB


However Ferrari undercut is not so smooth as RedBull but the T-tray area is connected under the floor not above like all last year cars and MCL36.

[MrGapes]

Still looking for a differences which may justify the lack of performance, not only the underfloor flow intake is unique among all the '23 F1 preventing the central portion to flow to the venturi
https://imageshack.com/i/poePHKYkj

Yes, it is a very unusual and unique design. It also means (AFAIK) that McLaren get no benefit from the second bib wing, as that vortex can't be fed to the underfloor anyway.

Any theories on why the McLaren bib is shaped like this and why McLaren considers this the best solution for their concept?

Similarly curious.... (especially when your the only team doing it), wonder if there is a reevaluation going on at the aero team for the MCL37, or if they continue to pursue the idea. The lack of organic surfacing to the frontal strakes is also interesting, but I think that's because of a lack of aerodynamic data to pursue a further refined surface... most of the surfaces on the MCL36 are pretty simple (I assume this is the implication of having to use a wind tunnel in another country)

[Emag]

Looking at this there are some possibility for updates
https://imageshack.com/i/poZRAXNaj
And you are right , quite a "fat" or "double decker" sidepods with respect to RB
https://imageshack.com/i/pm45PIHXj
https://imageshack.com/i/pmSiNe1Rj
However Ferrari undercut is not so smooth as RedBull but the T-tray area is connected under the floor not above like all last year cars and MCL36.

I am certain the "fatness" at the front is intentional. They could package things tighter of they really wanted to.

But they have that setup because it helps to drive the floor at the front. The sidepod shape and the bib channeling air towards them from the tunnels means that McLaren probably is the most "front" loaded car on the grid.

This was their way of dealing with the inherent understeer problem new cars have I guess, and it's probably the reason why the car has a stronger front-end compared to previous years, which has brought low speed improvements.

They have surely sacrificed some rear-end downforce with this configuration though. And I am sure the peak downforce is not close to the top teams at the moment.

Would be interesting to see if they maintain this concept for next year.

[diffuser]

Looking at this there are some possibility for updates
https://imageshack.com/i/poZRAXNaj
And you are right , quite a "fat" or "double decker" sidepods with respect to RB
https://imageshack.com/i/pm45PIHXj
https://imageshack.com/i/pmSiNe1Rj
However Ferrari undercut is not so smooth as RedBull but the T-tray area is connected under the floor not above like all last year cars and MCL36.

I am certain the "fatness" at the front is intentional. They could package things tighter of they really wanted to.

But they have that setup because it helps to drive the floor at the front. The sidepod shape and the bib channeling air towards them from the tunnels means that McLaren probably is the most "front" loaded car on the grid.

This was their way of dealing with the inherent understeer problem new cars have I guess, and it's probably the reason why the car has a stronger front-end compared to previous years, which has brought low speed improvements.

They have surely sacrificed some rear-end downforce with this configuration though. And I am sure the peak downforce is not close to the top teams at the moment.

Would be interesting to see if they maintain this concept for next year.

The almost perpendicular above floor sidepod undercut (or lack of undercut) creates outwash as Well. I've noticed that the outwash from above the floor always aligns with the outwash from under the floor, on cars I've looked at. What I'm saying is if you increase the undercut at the sidepod, the air exit will be further back and the under floor might have to be adjusted to align with it.

[Maax70]

Looking at this there are some possibility for updates
https://imageshack.com/i/poZRAXNaj
And you are right , quite a "fat" or "double decker" sidepods with respect to RB
https://imageshack.com/i/pm45PIHXj
https://imageshack.com/i/pmSiNe1Rj
However Ferrari undercut is not so smooth as RedBull but the T-tray area is connected under the floor not above like all last year cars and MCL36.

I am certain the "fatness" at the front is intentional. They could package things tighter of they really wanted to.

But they have that setup because it helps to drive the floor at the front. The sidepod shape and the bib channeling air towards them from the tunnels means that McLaren probably is the most "front" loaded car on the grid.

This was their way of dealing with the inherent understeer problem new cars have I guess, and it's probably the reason why the car has a stronger front-end compared to previous years, which has brought low speed improvements.

They have surely sacrificed some rear-end downforce with this configuration though. And I am sure the peak downforce is not close to the top teams at the moment.

Would be interesting to see if they maintain this concept for next year.

Very good point. I thought the only way to improve understeering was to move ahead the "throat" of the venturi, but I don't know if this is allowed by regulation. Now this portion is just before the rear wheels while with the rake philosophy (and 80s wing car) the portion of floor closest to the ground was far ahead. At moment we have to note that MCL mixed approach ('22 floor with '21 T-tray design) may lead to a good handling/porposingfree, but for sure @ a low level of performance considering that in my view Lando is very much quicker than the average drivers of midfield teams (with all due respect to Alonso whose age is closer to mine than norris's)

[daverdfw]

Looks like Mclaren are bringing some upgrades, new sidepods

[SmallSoldier]

According to AMUS, new floor on the MCL36 for France:

[SmallSoldier]

Another view:





Via: Albert Fabrega

[_cerber1]

The sidepods, underbody and rear brake vents are new. "It's a good step in terms of downforce," promises Seidl. However, the Bavarian doubts whether all the weak points of the MCL36 have been solved with the upgrade. "It's difficult to fix all problems in one development stage."

[SmallSoldier]

*New* MCL36 Floor at France… Trying to spot the differences with previous one, but they might be on the tunnels:

[_cerber1]

In my opinion, on Thursday they showed everything old, perhaps tomorrow it will become clearer.

[djos]

According to AMUS, new floor on the MCL36 for France:

https://i.imgur.com/ZRo4s4Q.jpg

Nice update! Looks like the raised outer edges are inspired by Ferrari’s side pods.

[MrGapes]

I don’t know… this seems majorly Barca spec to me, I expect the upgrades to be only on Daniels car for FP1, I’m also curious about Lando’s PU from Austria, hopefully they fixed it.

[Sevach]

According to AMUS, new floor on the MCL36 for France:

https://i.imgur.com/ZRo4s4Q.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7a2GLQZ.jpg

Interesting bit with the barge board looking like a separate surface glued/attached on to the floor rather than a curvature of the floor like in every other car.