McLaren MCL38

[f1rules]

motorsport.com

[M840TR]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHamEBRWYA ... ame=medium Courtesy of Albert Fabrega- the usual rear wing comparison shot

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHamEBRWYAA ... ame=medium

Is it a trick of the camera or do our intakes/sidepod look narrower this week? Compare to Ferrari for example?

Intake is the same. It flares out further but that bit of the sidepod is obscured. I do think we will see development in that area on the MCL38 in the next upgrade package, coupled with front wing and maybe some more sculpted underpod work

The sidepod design really looks like a very early iteration of the overbite concept. And Redbull has also shown there's plenty room for development there. Reasonable to expect some changes during the season to further refine it. But most of development is likely to be on the floor due to the nature of ground effect cars, at least for early season.

[MTudor]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHamEBRWYA ... ame=medium Courtesy of Albert Fabrega- the usual rear wing comparison shot

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHamEBRWYAA ... ame=medium

Is it a trick of the camera or do our intakes/sidepod look narrower this week? Compare to Ferrari for example?

Intake is the same. It flares out further but that bit of the sidepod is obscured. I do think we will see development in that area on the MCL38 in the next upgrade package, coupled with front wing and maybe some more sculpted underpod work

Could it be possible to do on an F1 car(Mclaren) an sidepood intakes like one found on MIG29?

[Farnborough]

Is it a trick of the camera or do our intakes/sidepod look narrower this week? Compare to Ferrari for example?

Intake is the same. It flares out further but that bit of the sidepod is obscured. I do think we will see development in that area on the MCL38 in the next upgrade package, coupled with front wing and maybe some more sculpted underpod work

Could it be possible to do on an F1 car(Mclaren) an sidepood intakes like one found on MIG29?

My understanding of that format, typical in high speed jet, is that the intake provides lift when the throughput internal airspeed moves below external airspeed. Likely as these cars reach upper velocity and hold positive pressure within the cooling duct.
Concorde is a good study in this as entry to fan (radiator on car) has to be subsoninc, the front entry box having movable baffling to achieve at various speed.
Running with an engine out (fan stationary) causes lift on that "nacelle" in comparison to a propeller aircraft in which the drag forces roll downward on that wing.
Whether that characteristic is of use in these aero schemes is something that's hard to see without being privy to the teams technical analysis.

[De Wet]

[vorticism]

This is one of the technical highlights of the season for me so far. Rearward steering rack. When was the last time this was seen?

[LionsHeart]

This is one of the technical highlights of the season for me so far. Rearward steering rack. When was the last time this was seen?

In the 1980s and 1990s, if I'm not mistaken.

[vorticism]

In the 1980s and 1990s, if I'm not mistaken.

I think so, pretty sure I can remember some 80s cars have two rear trailing arms.

[FittingMechanics]

Are my eyes playing tricks on me or does the McLaren not have a barn door compared to other teams in Bahrain?

[Farnborough]

This is one of the technical highlights of the season for me so far. Rearward steering rack. When was the last time this was seen?

Its one of the items within the MP 4/4 story, not sure which way they switched it though .... relayed as one of the trusted technicians "Tex" came to the design team at late stage convinced they'd made the rack wrongly, the steering then turned one way with the car going the opposite big panic until they realised he hadn't taken account of repositioned location in that design.

Presumably, in this MCL38 installation it pulls mass back toward car centre to help their design. Unsure how the steering column route would evolve as the top front location takes it above driver's feet inside the monocoque. All of the front suspension seems to be pulled back in relation to the front wheel centres in this iteration though.

[vorticism]

This is one of the technical highlights of the season for me so far. Rearward steering rack. When was the last time this was seen?

Its one of the items within the MP 4/4 story, not sure which way they switched it though .... relayed as one of the trusted technicians "Tex" came to the design team at late stage convinced they'd made the rack wrongly, the steering then turned one way with the car going the opposite big panic until they realised he hadn't taken account of repositioned location in that design.

Presumably, in this MCL38 installation it pulls mass back toward car centre to help their design. Unsure how the steering column route would evolve as the top front location takes it above driver's feet inside the monocoque. All of the front suspension seems to be pulled back in relation to the front wheel centres in this iteration though.

+1 Humorous. Sounds like a inside joke. How often do these guys make up lore for the press. Had they not fixed it, getting a car around track with opposite steering... now that would be legend status.

[Farnborough]

The design was correct first time with Tex not taking into account the position change in the chassis design, judging it on previous familiar classis he wrongly thought it was incorrect and so backwards when it wasn't.

[_cerber1]

[101FlyingDutchman]

Thank you @cerber that was exactly what I was after with my question earlier. Cheers pal

[_cerber1]

Thank you @cerber that was exactly what I was after with my question earlier. Cheers pal

You welcome