2018 McLaren F1 Team - Renault

[M840TR]

Personally, I wouldn’t like to see Perez return. He’s a safe pair of hands but is lacking a touch of raw pace and has always ended up in toxic situations with teammates (just look at the flash points with the usually very respectful Ocon last year!). We know how fiery Sainz can get from his time at Toro Rosso so I think that would be a nightmare in the making!

Back to this weekend, apparently McLaren (along with Red Bull) have decided against the upgraded Spec C engine at Monza. Given that the current PU will likely have them plum last anyway I’d take the hit and stick it in if they do gain the 0.3s per lap that Abiteboul has been quoting.

They'd have to redesign the packaging and since they don't want to work on this year's car unnecessarily anymore, it's not worth it. The reliability risk is also another factor.

[McG]

For all the people that still believe this car isn't fundamentally flawed. McLaren has gone backwards.

Fernando Alonso MCLAREN RENAULT 1:44.917
Fernando Alonso MCLAREN HONDA 1:45.090

Lewis Hamilton MERCEDES 1:42.553 (Q3)
Lewis Hamilton MERCEDES 1:41.553 (Q2)

Pierre Gasly SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO HONDA 1:43.844
Carlos Sainz TORO ROSSO RENAULT . 1:45.374

You're talking to yourself again. Everyone knows it's a dog.

[McMika98]

For all the people that still believe this car isn't fundamentally flawed. McLaren has gone backwards.

You're talking to yourself again. Everyone knows it's a dog.

There are still plenty of poor souls who think the car will be top notch and why would they not, Mclaren are still making false promises.
When they came up with the #BeBrave , #Believe motto in preseason, i smelt a rat and knew it was a propaganda to raise false hopes again.

[Lucky]

Perez, Ocon?
In McLaren 2019 will be Norris and Sainz.
This is 100% information.

[Ground Effect]

Mclaren has a much larger budget than 150m. STR has a 150 mil budget. I would say mclaren would be in range of 250-300.

250-300??? Very doubtful in my opinion. That's heading to Red Bull/Mercedes/Ferrari territory

McLaren's budget with Honda if I remember was 451.7mil euros according the financial records in 2017. So I don't think 300mil is an outlier.

Ferrari's budget was 570mill USD for 2017 according to public records.

I am sure McLaren's budget this year is 250-300mil.

comparision with STR because it is public record, 150mil is their budget.

Thanks for that, didn't know the figures were that high.

[Ground Effect]

Personally, I wouldn’t like to see Perez return. He’s a safe pair of hands but is lacking a touch of raw pace and has always ended up in toxic situations with teammates (just look at the flash points with the usually very respectful Ocon last year!). We know how fiery Sainz can get from his time at Toro Rosso so I think that would be a nightmare in the making!

Back to this weekend, apparently McLaren (along with Red Bull) have decided against the upgraded Spec C engine at Monza. Given that the current PU will likely have them plum last anyway I’d take the hit and stick it in if they do gain the 0.3s per lap that Abiteboul has been quoting.

Has there been another report, because according to this, Ricciardo will take the spec C. I do know they're sticking with the old MGU-K though.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ricc ... c/3166326/

[Ground Effect]

Perez, Ocon?
In McLaren 2019 will be Norris and Sainz.
This is 100% information.

It's very possible, and maybe likely Lando will get the drive, but I don't think it's settled. Ocon or Perez could be a real possibility, one of them is almost certain to leave Force India after the take over, but who? Ocon would have been the most likely if Stroll moves this season, but with it being said that he's having problems due to his height, makes it a doubt. He's already done a seat fitting. Who goes to all that trouble if there's no real possibility?

[Big Tea]

I think right now who is going to be in charge of what they build for next year is more important than who drives it.
Alonso was unable to do anything with this years car, or we probably would not be discussing drivers.
Another flop and the driver is probably heading for the bin anyway.

[Ground Effect]

I think right now who is going to be in charge of what they build for next year is more important than who drives it.
Alonso was unable to do anything with this years car, or we probably would not be discussing drivers.
Another flop and the driver is probably heading for the bin anyway.

Below is an excerpt from Joe Saward's Green Notebook post Spa

"The other thing about McLaren is that the team urgently needs someone to look after the design of the 2019 car, as Matt Morris has departed and James Key cannot join before the winter. The word is that the team may be shopping around for a consultant designer to take on the task. Expect an announcement soon."

[RonDennis]

I think right now who is going to be in charge of what they build for next year is more important than who drives it.
Alonso was unable to do anything with this years car, or we probably would not be discussing drivers.
Another flop and the driver is probably heading for the bin anyway.

Below is an excerpt from Joe Saward's Green Notebook post Spa

"The other thing about McLaren is that the team urgently needs someone to look after the design of the 2019 car, as Matt Morris has departed and James Key cannot join before the winter. The word is that the team may be shopping around for a consultant designer to take on the task. Expect an announcement soon."

Yeah, nice read as usual.

That seemed to be on the verge of being done and so McLaren gave up on him and signed Sainz instead. Then Ricciardo decided to join Renault and suddenly Ocon was in trouble. With Lance Stroll expected to be transferred to Force India as soon as possible and Sergio Perez having cleverly agreed a new deal before he took the team into administration, Ocon is in danger of being left without a ride. This is not something Mercedes wants to see and so there may be a level of pressure on the Stroll Family to keep things as they are until the end of the year, while Ocon and his people try to convince McLaren that he is the best bet for the team in 2019 and 2020. This might indeed be the case, because Ocon has bigger feet than Sainz when it comes to stepping into Alonso's shoes, but some at McLaren are convinced that Lando Norris could leap in and quickly become the new F1 megastar. Others think that Norris needs another year of experience. This is why he is now doing FP1 runs.

https://www.motorsportweek.com/joesaward/id/00296

There are so many good drivers on the grid these days.

[mwillems]

I don't think there is much between Perez and Ocon. Perez has cash but Ocon has time to develop. Personally, I'd take the cash. An extra 15 mil or so would go a long way for Mclaren. Could be circa an extra 10% to the budget. Assuming the budget is about 150 . I think those are the numbers I have seen bandied around in the past. Coupled with a much lower salary bill, it would be quite a boost to Mclaren. Another guess/assumption of 15-20 mil less Salary on top of Perez sponsorship would actually be pretty immense/cover the shortfall when the investors stop propping up the budget.

The McLaren budget is still much bigger, their team is around 700 to 800 people. Imagine gaining 25 million from Alonso and 15 million from Perez, that's 40 million by just changing drivers. Yeah I know Perez is probably 2 tenths slower, but let's stay realistic, McLaren is currently rebuilding and going for 2021. Two years Perez is enough to finance a new high-tech windtunnel. I still love how everybody is hitting out at McLaren currently, but let's be honest more than 50% of the grid would still love a McLaren seat.

I was agreeing that Perez would be a good driver, particularly with his cash. Maybe I'm reading wrong but it seems like you think I am saying the opposite? Would love to See either Perez or Ocon instead of Vandoorne, but between the two, I'd take Perez and his money. I think that Ocon would be a loan, therefore not an investment in Mclarens future.

The only thing I would say is that I would be a bit surprised if the budget was over 250, or over 200 to be honest.

[mwillems]

250-300??? Very doubtful in my opinion. That's heading to Red Bull/Mercedes/Ferrari territory

McLaren's budget with Honda if I remember was 451.7mil euros according the financial records in 2017. So I don't think 300mil is an outlier.

Ferrari's budget was 570mill USD for 2017 according to public records.

I am sure McLaren's budget this year is 250-300mil.

comparision with STR because it is public record, 150mil is their budget.

Thanks for that, didn't know the figures were that high.

Wow, first time I've seen those numbers, interesting.

Still, another 20 mil for Perez income and salary savings is not to be sniffed at and would buy a few new chicken wings....

[Big Tea]

I think right now who is going to be in charge of what they build for next year is more important than who drives it.
Alonso was unable to do anything with this years car, or we probably would not be discussing drivers.
Another flop and the driver is probably heading for the bin anyway.

Below is an excerpt from Joe Saward's Green Notebook post Spa

"The other thing about McLaren is that the team urgently needs someone to look after the design of the 2019 car, as Matt Morris has departed and James Key cannot join before the winter. The word is that the team may be shopping around for a consultant designer to take on the task. Expect an announcement soon."

Thats a strange term "consultant designer"?
Surely all the top F1 designers are designing F1, and the ones that are not will not have the experience?
Ring 118 domeanF1car? Are there such things?

[mwillems]

Mclaren has a much larger budget than 150m. STR has a 150 mil budget. I would say mclaren would be in range of 250-300.

250-300??? Very doubtful in my opinion. That's heading to Red Bull/Mercedes/Ferrari territory

McLaren's budget with Honda if I remember was 451.7mil euros according the financial records in 2017. So I don't think 300mil is an outlier.

Ferrari's budget was 570mill USD for 2017 according to public records.

I am sure McLaren's budget this year is 250-300mil.

comparision with STR because it is public record, 150mil is their budget.

Mclarens account are on the web:

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1036 ... 1Mar18.pdf

The racing teams revenue last year was £209 million according to those accounts. The budget itself is hidden a little.
However F1 Today states that the budget for Mclaren last year was £220 million. Also, The other teams might also include engine expenses, which for Mclaren are now capped.

This is the article that states the numbers you present:
https://www.grandprix247.com/2017/07/05 ... wo-points/

It looks sensationalist and made up to me, to be honest. Not a dig, just an opinion.

[Ground Effect]

I think right now who is going to be in charge of what they build for next year is more important than who drives it.
Alonso was unable to do anything with this years car, or we probably would not be discussing drivers.
Another flop and the driver is probably heading for the bin anyway.

Below is an excerpt from Joe Saward's Green Notebook post Spa

"The other thing about McLaren is that the team urgently needs someone to look after the design of the 2019 car, as Matt Morris has departed and James Key cannot join before the winter. The word is that the team may be shopping around for a consultant designer to take on the task. Expect an announcement soon."

Thats a strange term "consultant designer"?
Surely all the top F1 designers are designing F1, and the ones that are not will not have the experience?
Ring 118 domeanF1car? Are there such things?

When I read that, my mind went to Rory Byrne, but from what I understand he consults for Ferrari, which would be exclusive. Any other out of work F1 designer who's any good?