McLaren MCL33

[DiogoBrand]

A bit of an off-topic:
Do the regulations forbid those little L, R and arrow markings on the tyres for qualifying and race? It's quite common to see them for testing and free practice, although I don't remember seeing them during qualy or race.

[trinidefender]

What do the aero-experts think about the flow pattern?

Are they really just letting that happen in the sidepod undercut?

What are you talking about? Letting what happen in the sidepods undercut?

[PhillipM]

Nothing. It's just over-run.

[daren_p]

A bit of an off-topic:
Do the regulations forbid those little L, R and arrow markings on the tyres for qualifying and race? It's quite common to see them for testing and free practice, although I don't remember seeing them during qualy or race.
https://www.racefans.net/wp-content/upl ... 1708-8.jpg

Just taking a wild guess but are the sets marked that have to be given back to Pirelli after practice sessions (so once they are removed from the rims they still know what side they came off of for analysis)?

[Morteza]

Via AMuS

[DFX]

Is the bodywork opening near the exhaust bigger for extra cooling or is it just an impression?

[mclaren111]

Motorsport.com:

A rearward shot of MCL33 shows the amount of cooling that's been opened up by the team for Bahrain. Also note the stylistic Gurney-style tabs mounted above which aid with extraction.

Different angle on new barge board area.

[Vanja #66]

"stylistic Gurney-style tabs"

Jesus motorsport.com, just call them flaps, that's what they are...

[trinidefender]

"stylistic Gurney-style tabs"

Jesus motorsport.com, just call them flaps, that's what they are...

Even worse than that, they aren't even gurney tabs

[shady]

annnd they have been there, since last week at least.

[roon]

"stylistic Gurney-style tabs"
...just call them flaps, that's what they are...

But that's not keeping with the tradition of humorous or nonsensical part names. Like X-wings, which are neither 'x' nor wing shaped.

So let's call them 'rad-moustaches' or 'high-brows' or simply "SG" tabs as mentioned. While we're at it, how about 'stylistic halo inlet tunnel' for the recent Ferrari addition.

Speaking of x-wings, MCL33 has by far the cleanest x-wing installation on the grid, barring the RB14 during testing of course:

[DarkAlman]

I wish I could see the CFD for that new bargeboard.

That seems to be such an important area for development with all the other teams and McLaren seems to have gone the opposite way. Makes you wonder what they know that you don't.

[godlameroso]

It occurred to me why you'd want to have slots on the bargeboards. You want to turn the air as that creates downforce on it's own, but you also want to let some slip by to interact with the sidepod undercut. That alone would shed some drag and it's probably why teams either load the bargeboard with slots, or use capes, and all sorts of nose devices and mostly solid bargeboards, to force channel air behind the bargeboards to interact with the sidepod undercut.

It seems McLaren understand this and probably where their upgrade package comes into play, naturally these things have a fair bit of lead time. New crash tested nose probably takes at least a month. The fact the big package includes a new nose means the new upgrades will address this area, and the side pod endplates are just a preview.

Anyone want to take a guess how the side pod end plates work with the rest of the car? Are they for both front and rear tire wake control? Do they serve a greater purpose? Are they a test item and are they eventually just going to copy Haas?

There is some lateral upwash from the barge boards and side pod end-plates that's ripe for exploitation, particularly for front wheel wake, however this might interfere with the features they have in front of the rear tires. Probably why the area under the side pod end plate is bare.

[ScrewCaptain27]

Nice close-ups of the new bargeboards by Albert Fabrega:

[ringo]

The barge board that is on the side of the cockpit is too small imo.
The on below the richard mille logo.
Mclaren seems to be taking a direction to increase airflow to the slotted floor they have (in an attempt to seal the floor).They may believe there is a lot of potential there, but I don't think this will be realized for now.