2018 McLaren F1 Team - Renault

[PhillipM]

I would think we'll see more of an upgrade in race pace than qualifying, although they were struggling with the front end a bit, but tommorow looks like it's just going to be a tyre and timing lottery, so we might not learn a lot.

[Xero]

It's clear they've made a good step, but it's hard to take anything away from the first 2 sessions. Have to say it's pretty positive that they've bolted on a new nose with a different philosophy, and it's performing reasonably well straight out of the box. I'd be surprised if they've found an good setup after only 1 days running. They have plenty of data to sift through over night, and back at the factory with the simulator, so with some tweaks I'm sure we'll get a better idea where they stand tomorrow during FP3. Still very optimistic!

[makecry]

You are right i was wrong.....so yeah its 1.1 medium to SS because Pirelli says Alonso could have done 18.8 on SS

Is there somewhere I can read that? I am being cautiously optimistic. I am sure their race pace would be really good but their quali pace will hold them back and its just impossible to overtake a ferrari or mercedes powerered car on this circuit.

I found this times on Twitter. It said these times are adjusted by Pirelli estimated time gaps between tyre compands.


Mercedes 1:17.8
Red Bull 1:17.9

Ferrari 1:18.5
Mclaren 1:18.8

Haas 1:19.5
Force India 1:19.5

Renault 1:20.1

Yeah I found that tweet, the guy who tweeted it basically used Pirelli's published gaps between compounds to calculate the timing. I dont think it's representative though. McLaren somehow suddenly didn't get 1.3 seconds faster than Renault although it would be great if that happened LOL.

[PlatinumZealot]

After all that development and associated costs... The car is still slower than a Haas! What the hell McLaren?!

[TheGkbrk]

After all that development and associated costs... The car is still slower than a Haas! What the hell McLaren?!

A bit early to draw a conclusion. Let's wait and see after the testing.

[godlameroso]

Considering he did a 1:17.8 in testing, and seeing as conditions for quali will be similar to testing, I'd expect at least that much.

[makecry]

Considering he did a 1:17.8 in testing, and seeing as conditions for quali will be similar to testing, I'd expect at least that much.

That was with Hypers though.

[godlameroso]

That's true, and the super softs seem really tricky, in any case Alonso says that Q3 is more possible now than it was in the first 4 races.

[makecry]

That's true, and the super softs seem really tricky, in any case Alonso says that Q3 is more possible now than it was in the first 4 races.

I dont know how to feel about Q3. P11 gives them a good choice of tire . What's the optimum strategy looking like?

[PhillipM]

At the minute, nobody really knows, if one team manages to get the SS tyre working they'll throw a spanner in the works.

[gdogg371]

So of this mythical, wonder upgrade Mclaren have been promising since testing, what percentage does the new nose represent? Are we expecting new bargeboards, sidepods etc, or is the nose all we have been hanging on for?

[trinidefender]

So of this mythical, wonder upgrade Mclaren have been promising since testing, what percentage does the new nose represent? Are we expecting new bargeboards, sidepods etc, or is the nose all we have been hanging on for?

Apart from the nose:

The turning vanes under the nose are new.

The outer sections of the barge boards by the floor and the turning vanes on the outsides of the sidepods are different.

The central section of the diffuser also has a different profile (narrower) and maybe the diffuser throat has a different angle but we can't tell that much.

There are probably many revised internal parts for smoother airflow under the skin.

The new nose seems to create some of its own downforce allowing the lower downforce front wing to be used which helps airflow to the rear of the car.

They are using a new fuel that is supposed to provide more power.

In total I think that is actually quite a substantial upgrade and doesn't include what suspension changes will be made to adapt to the new aero...going as far as running slightly different rake levels.

[GoranF1]

Alosno said updates at each coming race "from now on".
I guess they waited for this philosopy change to start bring updates to each race as they used to im 2016 and 2017

[McMika98]

Alosno said updates at each coming race "from now on".
I guess they waited for this philosopy change to start bring updates to each race as they used to im 2016 and 2017

Last 3 years has taught me to take that with a pinch of salt. Didn't he say Australia will be the worst race and then it's back to the top from there. His best results were in Australia. Dont be suprised if he will now say stuff to put pressure on the team to deliver on their best chassis proclaimation from last 2 years.

[johnny vee]

After all that development and associated costs... The car is still slower than a Haas! What the hell McLaren?!

A bit early to draw a conclusion. Let's wait and see after the testing.

Agreed