McLaren MP4-27 Mercedes (pre-launch speculation)

[beelsebob]

You mean kind of like a computer server's heatsink "fins?" Kind of like this concept:

These fins are used exactly when air flow is expected to be poor. On desktop heat sinks, where you can guarantee air flow by sticking a big 120mm fan in front of it, they instead use something much more similar to what you see in an F1 car's radiators – a succession of thin plates.

[shelly]

Ah! Now I get what you're saying! (I think). You think MP4-27 will feature basically that oversized Botox-ed "lip" of the sidepod and extend it to a full aerofoil?

Exactly. Now that would also mean the sidepod would begin a tac more rearward, and also the lower crash structures would be exposed and faired to form a leading edge device for the floor.

As far as cooling fins, I think any thin/sharp shape is prevented from th current rules

[matt21]

But they are "radiators" and not bodywork

[shelly]

This could be like the hole in the ddd not being a hole - but I think the rule applies to every solid part of the car

[raymondu999]

Would it not be classed as the radiator's bodywork?

And Shelly - that was a SLOT! Not a hole

[shelly]

...and these are not the droids you're looking for...

[Richard]

And Shelly - that was a SLOT! Not a hole

The loophole wasn't slot/hole distinction. The loophole was in the words "when viewed from below". The hole was in the vertical step so couldn't be seen when viewed perpendicular to the reference plane.

[Intego]

Someone has made a drawing and posted it on another forum:



forum.Motorsport-Total.com

And what does Scarbs say?

I can't see a source quoted for this idea, but its possible and legal

[raymondu999]

Yep; Scarbs said that in reply to my tweet I think

[Intego]

Right, Sir!

Sadly this rumor turns circles, the only reference today is conni, but he/she (sorry, don't know) was near on the f-duct leak. So we just can speculate.

I thought about the new engine for 2014. Maybe it will be small enough to package this sidepod layout. But then why test it so early?

Can you guys imagine MCL will test two different approaches next february? (Is the homologation date still after winter testing?) Remember, this year MCL was smarter than Renault and brought different exhaust layouts to the tests ...

[beelsebob]

Someone has made a drawing and posted it on another forum:

I can't see a source quoted for this idea, but its possible and legal

Note – the design as illustrated there certainly is not legal – the bottom of the car is not flat... That's relatively easy to tweak though (by making the bottom bit flat, or by adding a floor beneath it).

[matt21]

Someone has made a drawing and posted it on another forum:

Remembers me of something

[Richard]

That’s a completely different approach to this year. It would focus on diverting air out to the sides, while this year has more emphasis on air over the top.

Also, the key to this year is putting the bulk of the radiators out of the way behind the front tyres.

We’ll just have to wait until February to see if they go for evolution (like RB and Ferari) or another “big idea” following on from the F duct, octopus, and U pods.

[FrukostScones]

nice drawing, but why 4 intakes, I thought the 26 was "overcooled"...

the jordan is 200cm wide

[Intego]

Doesn't necessarily need to be 4 intakes, was the suggesting of the drawer. And surely the floor is missing.

I don't think that approach is that new when you look at their 90's contenders. Maybe it's a step back with current knowledge of smarter packaging and mandatory safety items.

It could become a rocket in fast turns and on straights.