Mclaren MCL40

A place to discuss the characteristics of the cars in Formula One, both current as well as historical. Laptimes, driver worshipping and team chatter do not belong here.
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SilviuAgo
104
Joined: 15 Aug 2020, 16:08

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull & Aston Martin: Nose holes details

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LionsHeart
LionsHeart
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Joined: 09 Mar 2023, 19:21

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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SilviuAgo wrote:
18 Feb 2026, 13:17
Nice comparison for rake, but also for cooling options between McLaren, Aston and RedBull. McLaren did again an amazing job in this area.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HBbIRDWawAA ... =4096x4096

I think the rake is more clearly visible here. The photos were taken from the same angle and height relative to the ground. The Aston Martin and Williams have more rake than the McLaren. The Ferrari has even less rake than the other cars on display. I can't attach a photo of Williams' car.
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SilviuAgo
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Joined: 15 Aug 2020, 16:08

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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McLaren: Front Wing detail
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SilviuAgo
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Joined: 15 Aug 2020, 16:08

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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LionsHeart wrote:
18 Feb 2026, 19:59
SilviuAgo wrote:
18 Feb 2026, 13:17
Nice comparison for rake, but also for cooling options between McLaren, Aston and RedBull. McLaren did again an amazing job in this area.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HBbIRDWawAA ... =4096x4096

I think the rake is more clearly visible here. The photos were taken from the same angle and height relative to the ground. The Aston Martin and Williams have more rake than the McLaren. The Ferrari has even less rake than the other cars on display. I can't attach a photo of Williams' car.
https://i.ibb.co/XxMwFD1F/8-C89-A869-F8 ... B333-F.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/PGjbnq5v/06567-A2-A-CB ... -A00-C.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/4ZHtBnKG/8443-C87-D-C5 ... 913018.jpg
To make a joke, maybe this is the reason AM is so slow, there is no driver inside :))))

Coming back to McLaren and those holes mentioned in my previous post, i found an Interesting photo of a mechanic adjusting the incidence of the active aerodynamics flaps through an access hole in the nose. Many teams use this solution, which was previously located directly on the flaps.

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De Wet
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Joined: 03 Jan 2024, 13:32

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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Looks like a mini "water slide" towards the rear of the sidepod before it flattens at the rear...

McFAN
McFAN
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Joined: 21 Feb 2020, 13:53

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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De Wet wrote:
19 Feb 2026, 13:15
https://cdn.racingnews365.com/2026/Norr ... 1771498531


Looks like a mini "water slide" towards the rear of the sidepod before it flattens at the rear...
is this a new less downwashing version ?

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De Wet
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Joined: 03 Jan 2024, 13:32

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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McFAN wrote:
19 Feb 2026, 13:32
De Wet wrote:
19 Feb 2026, 13:15
https://cdn.racingnews365.com/2026/Norr ... 1771498531


Looks like a mini "water slide" towards the rear of the sidepod before it flattens at the rear...
is this a new less downwashing version ?

Does look different to me... Not 100% sure though.

CjC
CjC
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Joined: 03 Jul 2012, 20:13

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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De Wet wrote:
19 Feb 2026, 14:09
McFAN wrote:
19 Feb 2026, 13:32
De Wet wrote:
19 Feb 2026, 13:15
https://cdn.racingnews365.com/2026/Norr ... 1771498531


Looks like a mini "water slide" towards the rear of the sidepod before it flattens at the rear...
is this a new less downwashing version ?

Does look different to me... Not 100% sure though.
I’m not sure that it is. Check out _cerber1 post on page 20 of this thread. Looks to have mini water slides in that pic too- if they are even water slides.
Just a fan's point of view*

*statement was relevant when the forum had a high level of intelligence. Now we are just equals.

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AR3-GP
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Joined: 06 Jul 2021, 01:22

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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Brake duct internal
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Beware of T-Rex

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AR3-GP
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Joined: 06 Jul 2021, 01:22

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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Flow viz. Notice how the upper-rear control arm redirects air upwards towards the sidepod inlet.
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Beware of T-Rex

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SilviuAgo
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Joined: 15 Aug 2020, 16:08

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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One of the more interesting areas on this year's cars is the front wing, and more specifically its side part, where teams are using various aerodynamic concepts. Below I’m sharing an interesting comparison of all the versions.

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_cerber1
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Joined: 18 Jan 2019, 21:50
Location: From Russia with love

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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McG
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Joined: 16 Feb 2011, 17:45

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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_cerber1 wrote:
20 Feb 2026, 14:50

For anyone who doesn't speak Italian...

"McLaren has brought a very open bonnet vent, a quite noticeable difference compared to the version seen in the last few days."

Different angles though. It looks a lot more open because the angle is lower.
Finally, everyone knows that Red Bull is a joke and Max Verstappen is overrated.

McFAN
McFAN
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Joined: 21 Feb 2020, 13:53

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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McG wrote:
20 Feb 2026, 16:40
_cerber1 wrote:
20 Feb 2026, 14:50

For anyone who doesn't speak Italian...

"McLaren has brought a very open bonnet vent, a quite noticeable difference compared to the version seen in the last few days."

Different angles though. It looks a lot more open because the angle is lower.
It is a lot more open
look at the gap to the exhaust.

CjC
CjC
20
Joined: 03 Jul 2012, 20:13

Re: Mclaren MCL40

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I haven’t followed the tv pictures at all really this test.
The McLaren looks low at the front. Front wing end plates touching the ground on roll, the front of the floor skimming the tarmac- a trait from the MCL39.

Have they had the car this low all test or have they been gradually lowering it as
they go?
Just a fan's point of view*

*statement was relevant when the forum had a high level of intelligence. Now we are just equals.