Mclaren MCL40

[AR3-GP]

Has James Key returned?

[Xyz22]

https://x.com/carpentiers_f1/status/2102797900917145963


Massive change.

[Emag]

Has James Key returned?

https://i.postimg.cc/tT5Z2TbG/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/gJr9xwRV/image.png

They've also gone the Ferrari/Mercedes/Aston route when it comes to sidepod shape. It's not going all the way down to the bottom in the rear right now, but rather keep a clean "channel" below leading to the diffuser/coke-bottle area.



This was a particular point of interest early on for me when I was looking at the differences between them. Turns out McLaren thinks this is a better way forward than what they had.

Earlier comment for reference:

I didn't say they haven't done a good job. It's quite obviously a very tightly packaged car and I have made this point from the first images that were released. For what it is, this is clearly a well-executed concept and you can tell a lot of work went into making those sidepods very small. They actually end a good deal before you reach the diffuser and they don't taper down right at the beginning of the "throat" but rather a bit earlier than that.

However, the difference is there. That tapered bit that connects down to the floor does change the flow somewhat.

https://i.postimg.cc/jS0z6DLD/image-psd.jpg

Is it a big difference? I don't think so actually, because McLaren have managed to make the sidepods quite narrow (you can admire this better from a topdown view). They're not only short, but they also have a very substantial undercut. They're also very thin vertically as well as laterally. A head-on front view or total side-view like the image I shared actually do not show this, you're right.

However, even if there is not a significant difference with regards to the airflow to the diffuser. There's some difference with regards to the overcut as well. McLaren has a very aggressive overcut as well and the sidepods swoop down towards the floor very sharply. It's why their sidepods are so short. However if they decide to change philosophy, it's not as simple as it looks.

The "longer" sidepods potentially change how you handle the airflow underneath the rear-wing and how everything ties together with the rear suspension. So you have to consider how to work the rear wing more/less and tie it down with the front of the car as well to balance everything out.

So yes, it's easy to assume the bodywork is tight enough for them to be quite similar. However if you analyze it a bit deeper, there's a lot of things to consider for a potential switch.

[Avocado]

They’ve changed everything, I’m shocked.

[SilviuAgo]

There are several conceptual changes, some of which draw on solutions we've already seen. The sidepod inlets are similar to Audi's, while the bodywork is more like Mercedes/Ferrari. The shark fin is now smooth, without any steps. The air intake is new as well.



Comparison of side air intake solutions using the example of Audi and the new McLaren design.






New floor edge for MCL40 in Baku. The image also shows the sensors that the team will use during training sessions to analyze the new components.

[FittingMechanics]

This looks like a large update. Do other teams usually bring such a big package?

[Mattchu]

Looks like they`ve re-profiled the barge boards quite a bit as well, with a little nick/step in the floor, even the bracket from the floor has been modified for airflow.

Love it when teams get creative like this...




Images from carpentiers_f1

[f1rules]

Lots of speculation going on. They are moving pressure forward to have a stronger front end in low speed, its drag reduction etc etc. I dont know. To me looks like theyre changing concept to use the sidepod shoulders in its full height to channel more air to the rear. Significantly more clean air will be "trapped" by this "tunnel" and channeled to the rear resulting in a much stronger floor. Hence also why they are specificly meassuring in this area. Secondly the change in airbox allows for a much wider flow conditioner. And theyve added another vortex generator to help seal the floor forward of the cut in the floor
- The hotair outlet is very AM
- Sidepod shape clearlt clearly merc, except inlet which is a more developed version of audi

[f1rules]

[F1maniac^2]

Lots of speculation going on. They are moving pressure forward to have a stronger front end in low speed, its drag reduction etc etc. I dont know. To me looks like theyre changing concept to use the sidepod shoulders in its full height to channel more air to the rear. Significantly more clean air will be "trapped" by this "tunnel" and channeled to the rear resulting in a much stronger floor. Hence also why they are specificly meassuring in this area. Secondly the change in airbox allows for a much wider flow conditioner. And theyve added another vortex generator to help seal the floor forward of the cut in the floor
- The hotair outlet is very AM
- Sidepod shape clearlt clearly merc, except inlet which is a more developed version of audi

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HS7W9d3WAAAB5wQ.jpg

Can you please explain the flow/geometries that make this inlet more developed than the one from Audi? I guess you have run some sort of simulation to be able to have reached to a conclusion?

[SilviuAgo]

jancikapral made some CFD tests and his opinion on McLarens new sidepods (Ferrari/Mercedes style) is that sharper edge in the upper corner induces some vorticity protecting the upper surface and keeping the front wake outboard. Taller inlet also helps with cleaning the boundary layer on the chassis leaving higher energy air along g-line.





Back surface create recirculation bubble which has multiple purposes. It virtually elongates sidepods upper surface guiding high energy flow to the back. It also protects high energy flow along g line. And lastly it pushes air up and above rear tyre reducing its drag.


Also our colleague Dr Obss made a fair observation and try to answer to some of our questions regarding Äudi style" sidepods and why McLaren choose this design.


So why not smooth out this transition and make it less draggy?

Sometimes you are willing accept a little drag if it adds performance elsewhere. In this case, the higher pressure just outboard of the SP inlet could be helping to direct more outboard air inboard into the inlet. This may also help with cooling efficiency reducing the overall drag of the cooling circuit. So a bit of give and take..

Also, this higher pressure dimple could act to push out the upper portion of the front tyre wake, further protecting the top surface of the sidepod funneling higher energy air rearward.

Additionally, the higher pressure region could change the pressure field near the top surface of the floor inlet. Adding some pressure on top would increase the overall forward downforce (Fd) closer to the inlet. This may give a more forward balance and bite at lower speeds.

[michl420]

I would have never expected such a radical change, but they must do it for good reasons.
The airbox inlet change is maybe to make this little winglets on it more usable.

[f1rules]

mclaren mention themselves flow to the rear as main point of the sidepod update, which i mentioned also. If it reduces drag or move pressure forward like some mention i have no idea
3. Alternative sidepod shape, say what?

[FittingMechanics]

8th upgrade wasn't in the screenshot. It's the new medium level rear wing with H mode.

8 Rear Wing Performance
-
Drag reduction Alternative Straight Line Mode Flap Position
The medium isochronal rear wing has been modified to deploy the flap to an alternative position in straight line mode, resulting in a larger reduction in drag.

[f1rules]

@thomasmaheronf1