McLaren MCL33

[M840TR]

Looks like they've brought many updates ? ...

https://i.imgur.com/90776Fd.jpg

Looks like it was on the other car as well. Some sort of sensor to measure airflow to the diffuser maybe?

https://www.racefans.net/wp-content/upl ... 4220-6.jpg

I'm leaning to a optical illusion right now.

It's weirdly similar in two different photos and the diffuser should've been visible. Obviously something's blocking it.

[Mamba]

Looks like they've brought many updates ? ...

https://i.imgur.com/90776Fd.jpg

Looks like it was on the other car as well. Some sort of sensor to measure airflow to the diffuser maybe?

https://www.racefans.net/wp-content/upl ... 4220-6.jpg

I'm leaning to a optical illusion right now.

Agreed. It is just the top of the diffuser catching the sun.

MAMBA

[trinidefender]

It's quite clever indeed. Just bad aero wise.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. It is actually excellent aero wise ...except that it was designed for a Honda PU that has the turbo on top. They just took a chassis that had already been designed to fit a Honda PU and stuck a Renault in it. They didn't have time to do much more than stick it in and get it to work. Kind of like giving a pair of running shoes with High arc support to a FLAT footed person. They work and yes very high tech. They hurt like hell and surely aren't gonna help you run faster.

The more I think about this the more I think that this has all been planned from last year(Firings and all). Maybe not as a plan A but as a plan B.

Mechanical issues aside, how is that good aero when it blocks air to the diffuser and clears it to the RW. That's just begging for drag.

Based on what data are you making this very simplistic idea?

I can guarantee you that you can't just put it down that that one silly notion

[diffuser]

New Gearbox for Alonso and I know the gearbox rule has come up in here... The FIA said ..

Number Car Driver
14 McLaren Renault Fernando Alonso
The above driver did not finish the last race in Austin and is in conformity with Article 23.5a of the
2018 Formula One Sporting Regulations.

Basically since he didn't finish the last race ...he can change the gearbox.

[M840TR]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. It is actually excellent aero wise ...except that it was designed for a Honda PU that has the turbo on top. They just took a chassis that had already been designed to fit a Honda PU and stuck a Renault in it. They didn't have time to do much more than stick it in and get it to work. Kind of like giving a pair of running shoes with High arc support to a FLAT footed person. They work and yes very high tech. They hurt like hell and surely aren't gonna help you run faster.

The more I think about this the more I think that this has all been planned from last year(Firings and all). Maybe not as a plan A but as a plan B.

Mechanical issues aside, how is that good aero when it blocks air to the diffuser and clears it to the RW. That's just begging for drag.

Based on what data are you making this very simplistic idea?

I can guarantee you that you can't just put it down that that one silly notion

The aerodynamic philosophies are discernible from visuals. For example Gordon Murray came up with idea of low engine positioning in the Mp4-4 which freed up space for the RW. The Mcl32 and 33 have similar thinking behind them. However the Honda v6 in those days could power the car enough...

[M840TR]

New Gearbox for Alonso and I know the gearbox rule has come up in here... The FIA said ..

Number Car Driver
14 McLaren Renault Fernando Alonso
The above driver did not finish the last race in Austin and is in conformity with Article 23.5a of the
2018 Formula One Sporting Regulations.

Basically since he didn't finish the last race ...he can change the gearbox.

Now if someone doesn't punt him on lap 1 he can chase after the most laps raced record.

[M840TR]

Fernando's steering wheel.

[ADC]

On the subject of steering wheels, how different are Alonso and Vandoorne's wheels? Generally drivers have very different wheels right? So when Lando Norris is constantly alternating between cars at each race's FPs, does he have his own wheel crafted to his preferences, or does he have to learn how to use both Stoff and Nando's wheels?

[F1NAC]

I think the vital switches such as engine maps, engine settings are the same on each wheel. Difference could be on stuff like brake bias switch position. Paddles for shifting, DRS button. Not that much complicated

[M840TR]

On the subject of steering wheels, how different are Alonso and Vandoorne's wheels? Generally drivers have very different wheels right? So when Lando Norris is constantly alternating between cars at each race's FPs, does he have his own wheel crafted to his preferences, or does he have to learn how to use both Stoff and Nando's wheels?

Mostly the same.

[JordanMugen]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. It is actually excellent aero wise ...except that it was designed for a Honda PU that has the turbo on top.

If what you say is true, they have now had over half a season to redesign their radiators and plumbing and thereby be able to craft a new engine cover optimized for the Renault. The layout of the radiators are not homologated or crash tested parts, these can all be easily and cheaply changed. If simple Renault optimisation would supposedly allow them to extract the full potential of of their "excellent aero", why have they not done so?

Interestingly, in 2017 Boullier noted that the Renault provided aerodynamic advantages over the Honda and that McLaren had the Renault data with plenty of time for designing MCL33. This suggests the Renault power unit improved rather than reduced the aerodynamic performance of the MCL33?

Eric Boullier says:

The radiators required by the Renault unit are smaller than those of Honda, making our aerodynamic set easier. "

"The day we announced the partnership with Renault, the technical data of the unit was already with us. It was in the time limit to be able to design the 2018 model in studies, even without knowing the engine, since June. "

https://globoesporte.globo.com/motor/fo ... aign=ge_f1
via viewtopic.php?p=729442#p729442

Cheif designer Tim Goss, similarly noted that the team had a done a fantastic job of integrating the Renault power unit, and that the Renault layout had considerable design advantages that more than balanced any disadvantages.

"You can push the engine forwards and the aerodynamic blockage of the engine and exhaust is considerably better, because that has moved forwards behind the chassis.

"But then you have a turbocharger that is sat in the bellhousing and to accommodate that you have to redesign your rear suspension internals and lengthen the gearbox.

"But we've done a fantastic job. A really fantastic job.

Tim Goss, McLaren MCL33 designer, Autosport

[Bill]

Excellent aero this is self delusion,the car is slower than last year with that Honda engine in aero track like spa and Suzuka even with types that are one step softer Mclaren said it produces less downforce than last year. Going from a smaller lighter less cooling to a heavy larger big radiators has cost Mclaren

[Peter1919]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. It is actually excellent aero wise ...except that it was designed for a Honda PU that has the turbo on top.

If what you say is true, they have now had over half a season to redesign their radiators and plumbing and thereby be able to craft a new engine cover optimized for the Renault. The layout of the radiators are not homologated or crash tested parts, these can all be easily and cheaply changed. If simple Renault optimisation would supposedly allow them to extract the full potential of of their "excellent aero", why have they not done so?

Interestingly, in 2017 Boullier noted that the Renault provided aerodynamic advantages over the Honda and that McLaren had the Renault data with plenty of time for designing MCL33. This suggests the Renault power unit improved rather than reduced the aerodynamic performance of the MCL33?

Eric Boullier says:

The radiators required by the Renault unit are smaller than those of Honda, making our aerodynamic set easier. "

"The day we announced the partnership with Renault, the technical data of the unit was already with us. It was in the time limit to be able to design the 2018 model in studies, even without knowing the engine, since June. "

https://globoesporte.globo.com/motor/fo ... aign=ge_f1
via viewtopic.php?p=729442#p729442

Cheif designer Tim Goss, similarly noted that the team had a done a fantastic job of integrating the Renault power unit, and that the Renault layout had considerable design advantages that more than balanced any disadvantages.

"You can push the engine forwards and the aerodynamic blockage of the engine and exhaust is considerably better, because that has moved forwards behind the chassis.

"But then you have a turbocharger that is sat in the bellhousing and to accommodate that you have to redesign your rear suspension internals and lengthen the gearbox.

"But we've done a fantastic job. A really fantastic job.

Tim Goss, McLaren MCL33 designer, Autosport

Possibly a clue as to why both of these guys no longer work for McLaren

[Flanker27]

Ahah, someone still believe at the "best chassis/best aero" story? Lol.

[Jackles-UK]

On the subject of steering wheels, how different are Alonso and Vandoorne's wheels? Generally drivers have very different wheels right? So when Lando Norris is constantly alternating between cars at each race's FPs, does he have his own wheel crafted to his preferences, or does he have to learn how to use both Stoff and Nando's wheels?

Mostly the same.

https://cdn-4.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... -wheel.jpg

Does anybody know if the steering wheels are ergonomically fitted for each individual driver? For example, will the switches/dials be placed at slightly different positions for drivers with longer fingers/thumbs or bigger hands?

The rubber grips at either side could easily be custom moulded too for maximum efficiency and minimum fatigue which, given the amount that modern drivers need to use their hands & fingers in the car, would only be an advantage surely?