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.
User avatar
AR3-GP
535
Joined: 06 Jul 2021, 01:22

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

That outlet is massive. Largest opening that they have run in the last 3 years.
Beware of T-Rex

michl420
michl420
25
Joined: 18 Apr 2010, 17:08
Location: Austria

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

CjC wrote:
20 Feb 2026, 17:13
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?
They where always low thought the test. But I would also say the car is relativly soft on the front.

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

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

michl420 wrote:
20 Feb 2026, 17:37
CjC wrote:
20 Feb 2026, 17:13
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?
They where always low thought the test. But I would also say the car is relativly soft on the front.
Ok. Yea I agree with the soft front too hence the rolling from side to side
Just a fan's point of view*

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

FittingMechanics
FittingMechanics
19
Joined: 19 Feb 2019, 12:10

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

AR3-GP wrote:
20 Feb 2026, 17:14
That outlet is massive. Largest opening that they have run in the last 3 years.
Wasn't on the car in the afternoon today. Maybe it's for the morning session.

User avatar
AR3-GP
535
Joined: 06 Jul 2021, 01:22

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

FittingMechanics wrote:
20 Feb 2026, 17:59
AR3-GP wrote:
20 Feb 2026, 17:14
That outlet is massive. Largest opening that they have run in the last 3 years.
Wasn't on the car in the afternoon today. Maybe it's for the morning session.
I'm sure it's just a test item. Interesting as even in Mexico last year they didn't have something that big.
Beware of T-Rex

User avatar
McG
-24
Joined: 16 Feb 2011, 17:45

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

McFAN wrote:
20 Feb 2026, 16:50
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.
True and acually the smaller outlet pic is the lower angle. Apologies.
Finally, everyone knows that Red Bull is a joke and Max Verstappen is overrated.

User avatar
De Wet
17
Joined: 03 Jan 2024, 13:32

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

CjC wrote:
19 Feb 2026, 22:01
De Wet wrote:
19 Feb 2026, 14:09
McFAN wrote:
19 Feb 2026, 13:32

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.

Thx... Looks the same.

User avatar
SilviuAgo
104
Joined: 15 Aug 2020, 16:08

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

Good morning. Some MCL40 pics after Bahrain testing.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
source: pmw-magazine.com

101FlyingDutchman
101FlyingDutchman
18
Joined: 27 Feb 2019, 12:01

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

Q: what is the benefit of the sidepods fairly sharp angle down to floor. Obviously it’s downwashing and a significant amount of floor real estate behind the end of the pod.

But it seems to me by lifting the pod (reducing the downwash angle) you’d be able to use it as a semi wing and have air being able to get to the rear virtually uninterrupted underneath it

User avatar
venkyhere
35
Joined: 10 Feb 2024, 06:17

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

101FlyingDutchman wrote:
23 Feb 2026, 13:49
Q: what is the benefit of the sidepods fairly sharp angle down to floor. Obviously it’s downwashing and a significant amount of floor real estate behind the end of the pod.

But it seems to me by lifting the pod (reducing the downwash angle) you’d be able to use it as a semi wing and have air being able to get to the rear virtually uninterrupted underneath it
Probably they expect the downwashing air to separate from the waterslide before it meets the floor, and close to the physical merging point of the two surfaces, the 'wrap-around' air from the bottom of the sidepod to 'merge' with the watersliding air and together rush towards the coke bottle area.

User avatar
De Wet
17
Joined: 03 Jan 2024, 13:32

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

101FlyingDutchman wrote:
23 Feb 2026, 13:49
Q: what is the benefit of the sidepods fairly sharp angle down to floor. Obviously it’s downwashing and a significant amount of floor real estate behind the end of the pod.

But it seems to me by lifting the pod (reducing the downwash angle) you’d be able to use it as a semi wing and have air being able to get to the rear virtually uninterrupted underneath it

Like Aston Martin ?

101FlyingDutchman
101FlyingDutchman
18
Joined: 27 Feb 2019, 12:01

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

Indeed like AM. It seems the MCL40 packaging would allow that concept so I’m just wondering what the reasoning for not going to that concept might be. I’m guessing airflow stability & predictability especially in yaw would be better with current concept but perhaps with a reduction of total mass flow

Brahmal
Brahmal
41
Joined: 19 Oct 2024, 05:07

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

101FlyingDutchman wrote:
23 Feb 2026, 14:55
Indeed like AM. It seems the MCL40 packaging would allow that concept so I’m just wondering what the reasoning for not going to that concept might be. I’m guessing airflow stability & predictability especially in yaw would be better with current concept but perhaps with a reduction of total mass flow
The picture below shows pretty well how the bodywork is trying to converge the air flowing over and around the sidepod and focus it into the volume between the rear wheel and the coke bottle, where the diffuser ramp begins. I'm pretty sure this will create a volume of high-pressure in that region, which will help contain the tire-squirt from the rear wheel, and should help to prevent front wheel wake from being sucked through that area and over the top of the diffuser.

Image

michl420
michl420
25
Joined: 18 Apr 2010, 17:08
Location: Austria

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

Is there any directive (or test) that prohibits the front edges of the floor to flex downwards because these are massive areas this year on some cars?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HA46fl2XcAA ... name=large

User avatar
AR3-GP
535
Joined: 06 Jul 2021, 01:22

Re: Mclaren MCL40

Post

Upturned rear control arm fairing to help with rear brake duct extraction

Image
Beware of T-Rex