More details about McLaren's technical leadership changes are becoming public as it has now become clear that Toro Rosso's highly valued technical director, James Key, is set to join McLaren in the same role.
I think that this year's car was much faster than this year's car, at least on the simulatorgodlameroso wrote: ↑27 Oct 2018, 00:51Rules are quite different, wider rear wing, wider front wing, less complex front wing, lower bargeboards, and teams will have to rely even more on the bargeboard to deal with tire wake.JordanMugen wrote: ↑26 Oct 2018, 17:09I don't understand how the team have managed to "bake in" some of the design around the leading edge of the floor, and are supposedly unable to change it (to say develop towards 2019). It seems so strange.charliesmithhd wrote: ↑23 Oct 2018, 12:56I think most people here are disappointed with the results, but are interested in the areas that need to improve. To work out these areas, you need to be critical of the current car and structure of the team
Would it be so impossible to make a pair of new tubs and new floors with the new concept looking towards 2019?
I notice that McLaren are proud of their sophisticated tub design which is incredibly labour-intensive to layup...
But can't they just be un-McLaren for once and make some "quick and dirty" basic F2-grade tubs, without sophisticated layups, so they can make the aeroynamic changes they need to get themselves up the grid with improved aero performance! Even if it means carrying an extra 2.3 kg and a fraction less less torsional stiffness in their tub!
It's the same rules next year though, only the front wing is different. Can't they wheel out the updates to the 2018 car!?godlameroso wrote: ↑23 Oct 2018, 14:19Knowing next year will be completely different and knowing your hands are tied this year can be and is demoralizing.
It's concerning that as late as the Spanish GP, McLaren had yet to realise there was anything fundamentally wrong with the design of their car. If they had realised then, then perhaps they could had a B-car ready by after the summer break?
Modifying what needed modifying means they have to churn out a new floor for each iteration. So I'm guessing they want to make this area modular, which means re-engineering the tub to allow this. At this stage in the season there's no point in doing this. So they did the sensible thing and are taking the time to make the best design they can with the new regulations in mind.
The new car is already much faster than this year's car at least according to the simulator, so there's some hope this move will pay off next year as the team tries to establish a strong foundation for the future. Realistically they can fight for 4th in the constructors with their capabilities, so if they get next year's chassis right, and the Renault engine actually takes a step forward I could see it happening.
I think Vandoorne overtook them when they pitted. Not while they were out
How old are you?McG wrote: ↑29 Oct 2018, 00:10I didn't notice Waffle overtake much on track. Good strategy though and 4 people in front of him retired.
As for McLaren vs Force India in qualy... Alonso was on softer tyres iirc.
Nice for Waffle to get some points though, there was definitely a double points finish there.
I think it's because this year has been a big wake-up call for everyone. Even if the previous Honda powered chassis weren't as bad as this year's, there were clear inadequacies in the team. With the new PU deal and some calmer heads at the helm, maybe everyone is putting in the extra work required to reach the ultimate goal.
What has my age got to do with anything.proteus wrote: ↑29 Oct 2018, 11:26How old are you?McG wrote: ↑29 Oct 2018, 00:10I didn't notice Waffle overtake much on track. Good strategy though and 4 people in front of him retired.
As for McLaren vs Force India in qualy... Alonso was on softer tyres iirc.
Nice for Waffle to get some points though, there was definitely a double points finish there.
Thank you for the correction.
