2019 Mclaren F1 Team - Renault

[M840TR]

Interesting choice for C1.

https://i.redd.it/ctblwgs6n3n21.jpg

What are your thoughts on the tyre selection? Conservative?

Yes & no. They have enough c2s but seem to have kept an extra C1 in exchange for c3 so they can test it and have a new set for the race. Sensible.

[M840TR]

At least passing is possible here, we should see the McLaren's true potential.

Also Sainz's true potential against Norris. He seemed to have the measure of him all weekend until bad luck struck. Maybe he can put the car even higher up the grid this time if they're in q3. He's also one hell of a starter so we maybe in for a good show.

[SmallSoldier]

At least passing is possible here, we should see the McLaren's true potential.

Also Sainz's true potential against Norris. He seemed to have the measure of him all weekend until bad luck struck. Maybe he can put the car even higher up the grid this time if they're in q3. He's also one hell of a starter so we maybe in for a good show.

If they have them close to each other on Qualy (preferably in the top 10 of course), it also opens different strategies possibilities for them and split them up (one going for the undercut, the other for the overcut)... Hopefully we will have a good race

A lot of expectation to see the car in a more traditional circuit, but still early to make an assessment of the car regardless of their position... If the team did the smart thing, they are making sure that the car reacts the way they expect it to different changes... That’s the key to not only achieve a good balance for Qualy/Race, but more importantly for the development of the car through the year... That was the key thing missing last year... I’m not surprised that the car looks rather “simple” in their approach to the barge boards for example, no point in adding too much complexity if they don’t have a good baseline (which the rest of the teams do have from last year, with a lot of them just working on evolutions of their concepts in those areas from last year).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Raleigh]

It was the 1st race of the season and Lando's first race...

We have more than enough to be optimistic about...

I would say Renault PU is now our biggest problem...

There appears to be a convergence with the PU, at least in race trim, qualy mode is not clear enough, because we seemed to have a repeat of Melbourne last year, where Mercedes pulled out such a big gap in Q3, only for Ferrari to lock out the front row in Bahrain.
There's a lot of time to be found in the chassis, just look at the disparity between McLaren and Red Bull last year, with the same engine. But it won't be found overnight.

I don't believe it will be found until after 2021.

IF the new rules create a fair balance. A lot of ifs but hope is better than how disgusting F1 is at the moment.

Liberty/FIA need to do something about B teams or McLaren and Renault need to act quicky. Otherwise it will be the same top 3 for another 10 years.

Honestly sometimes I think it would be better to have 2 separate championships.

I'm enjoying the ultra-competitive midfield myself, but it does make life very hard for anyone who isn't on peak form.

Red Bull for example escaped a double Q1 elimination by less than 2 tenths after misjudging how much the track would improve.

[bauc]

[diffuser]

Seems like something Toyonso and McLaren would conjur, being the nemesis of Honda. Toyota can't sit still watching Honda in the limelight and they'll sleep with anybody to get in on the action. Seems like Toyota and Alonso are a match made for each other.

dude, do you have your honda hat on today? its cool to be a fan and all, but you dont have to take swipes at every company that isnt them. but thats what some brands fans seem to like to do.

no, just Toyota and McLaren. Its a Honda fan thing. If you think I'm bad my wife is worse! It's a shame, really, McLaren Honda and for that matter Senna's legacy stained. Do you understand the disappointment in Honda fans hearts that it didn't work out and McLaren acted as they did? so yeah, its gets under the skin when Alonso tried to use Honda for the Indy 500 and then mooched a Lemans win which was going to be a Toyota anyway. Let's not forget the Japanese culture bashing by McLaren fanboys also. Suddenly Toyota and their money is the answer?

I undinged you. I don't think it stained Senna's legacy. I think Alonzo just wants to race and he's just taking whatever is available to him. I was disappointed too. Many people make comments without really thinking/researching what they're commenting on...they get really emotional about shiit and just say whatever. I don't think that was a dingable comment. IMHO, you're allowed your opinion and someone not liking your opinion is not a reason for dinging.
dinging="down vote".

[diffuser]

First rule of Albert Park. Run a long first stint if at all possible. Track position is king. I can only think that either:

a) the tyres were shot from quali. But then others ran a lot longer
b) they got drawn into trying to attack Haas or cover Renault, neither of which was really on as it turned out

Having decided to put early the Hard was the option as they were worried about overall life to end of race. But it seems everyone struggled on those.

Hindsight is a great thing. Look where the likes of Stroll and Hulk ended up.

Based on the last few years with the quali tyre rules as they are, s neakingqualifying 7-10 is a bit of a killing zone on a good number of circuits unless the car has very strong race pace. Need those in season upgrades to work

What surprised me is that Sainz was on the Soft tires where Medium or Hard May have been a better choice to split strategies between Norris and Sainz... Those that started on the mediums showed that was the better strategy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That was in my opinion a better strategy. Sainz made four places on the start and would've been in points like Stroll etc who were behind him when he retired. Gasly ran long and even with fresh c4s couldn't overtake the Toro Rosso.

It's like anything else. It's a good strategy if you get a normal Start. Then the tires make the difference and you make up places. Often though, they get a below average start and you've wasted the tires. So it all depends on what everybody else does and if you're able to take advantage of it. I liked it too!

[Ground Effect]

At least passing is possible here, we should see the McLaren's true potential.

Also Sainz's true potential against Norris. He seemed to have the measure of him all weekend until bad luck struck. Maybe he can put the car even higher up the grid this time if they're in q3. He's also one hell of a starter so we maybe in for a good show.

It was mentioned (I think here) that Lando's car was deliberately made understeery, as he was learning the track, to safeguard against putting it in the barriers. We saw what kept happening to Albon at the early stages of the weekend. So it's possible the actual gap between them was exaggerated. Looking back at pre season in Barcelona, from what I remember, their times were quite similar, even on long runs. So there may not be much between them in reality.

[M840TR]

At least passing is possible here, we should see the McLaren's true potential.

Also Sainz's true potential against Norris. He seemed to have the measure of him all weekend until bad luck struck. Maybe he can put the car even higher up the grid this time if they're in q3. He's also one hell of a starter so we maybe in for a good show.

It was mentioned (I think here) that Lando's car was deliberately made understeery, as he was learning the track, to safeguard against putting it in the barriers. We saw what kept happening to Albon at the early stages of the weekend. So it's possible the actual gap between them was exaggerated. Looking back at pre season in Barcelona, from what I remember, their times were quite similar, even on long runs. So there may not be much between them in reality.

In the new behind the scenes video posted above it seems like Lando had issues setting up the car. He mentions then he's gained more confidence as the understeer went away. Generally you'd never wanna compromise your driver's weekend even if you suspect he'd crash due to being a rookie. The way to build his confidence is to set the car up to his liking so he can find pace and deliver. He could've easily crashed with understeer as well, like he says in the video about the car just going straight on corner entry.

[M840TR]

At least passing is possible here, we should see the McLaren's true potential.

Also Sainz's true potential against Norris. He seemed to have the measure of him all weekend until bad luck struck. Maybe he can put the car even higher up the grid this time if they're in q3. He's also one hell of a starter so we maybe in for a good show.

If they have them close to each other on Qualy (preferably in the top 10 of course), it also opens different strategies possibilities for them and split them up (one going for the undercut, the other for the overcut)... Hopefully we will have a good race

A lot of expectation to see the car in a more traditional circuit, but still early to make an assessment of the car regardless of their position... If the team did the smart thing, they are making sure that the car reacts the way they expect it to different changes... That’s the key to not only achieve a good balance for Qualy/Race, but more importantly for the development of the car through the year... That was the key thing missing last year... I’m not surprised that the car looks rather “simple” in their approach to the barge boards for example, no point in adding too much complexity if they don’t have a good baseline (which the rest of the teams do have from last year, with a lot of them just working on evolutions of their concepts in those areas from last year).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Correct. And an ostensibly simple aero philosophy doesn't necessarily mean being slow. Ferrari's car was called 'agricultural' last year and we know how that turned out.

[SmallSoldier]

Also Sainz's true potential against Norris. He seemed to have the measure of him all weekend until bad luck struck. Maybe he can put the car even higher up the grid this time if they're in q3. He's also one hell of a starter so we maybe in for a good show.

It was mentioned (I think here) that Lando's car was deliberately made understeery, as he was learning the track, to safeguard against putting it in the barriers. We saw what kept happening to Albon at the early stages of the weekend. So it's possible the actual gap between them was exaggerated. Looking back at pre season in Barcelona, from what I remember, their times were quite similar, even on long runs. So there may not be much between them in reality.

In the new behind the scenes video posted above it seems like Lando had issues setting up the car. He mentions then he's gained more confidence as the understeer went away. Generally you'd never wanna compromise your driver's weekend even if you suspect he'd crash due to being a rookie. The way to build his confidence is to set the car up to his liking so he can find pace and deliver. He could've easily crashed with understeer as well, like he says in the video about the car just going straight on corner entry.

The “safest” setup for a racing car is with induced understeer since it is easier to control and more forgiving to mistakes... When the car snaps oversteers there isn’t a lot that a driver can do, once the back of the car surpasses you, you are in for the right... Understanding how to react to it or catching it as soon as it happens is something that you gain with experience, something that Lando lacks at this level.

In addition to that, Melbourne has 3 characteristics that also make it more necessary to use caution, especially the first day (FP1 and FP2):

1) Track Surface: Melbourne is a pretty bumpy track, something that can’t be well replicated in the simulator, hard to be prepared for that... It can / will unsettle the car and when that happens, you much rather have understeer (easier to correct) than oversteer.

2) Barriers: Unlike other circuits, you have a track that is surrounded by barriers with little run off area... A mistake usually means hitting the wall and not just going into gravel/grass areas... A hit with the wall could result in a long time in the garage to fix the car... Beyond the obvious negative of repair time, it would have robbed Lando of precious “seat time” that he definitely needed in what is a new circuit for him.

3) Spare Parts: With Melbourne been the first race of the year, spare parts aren’t as available as later in the season, an encounter with a wall could handicap your entire weekend (Qualy/Race) and that’s a big negative for any team.

So... Was getting Lando a setup that induce understeer for the beginning of the weekend an smart move? Absolutely... Is it something that they will have to do at every circuit, I don’t think so, but expect that to be the case in those circuits that he may not be familiar with and that an excursion off road could be very costly


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FittingMechanics]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGK9HwmOtMA

Really liked that video. Thank you for linking.

[Dipesh1995]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGK9HwmOtMA

Good to see Pat Fry attending the race.

[adrianjordan]

At least passing is possible here, we should see the McLaren's true potential.

Also Sainz's true potential against Norris. He seemed to have the measure of him all weekend until bad luck struck. Maybe he can put the car even higher up the grid this time if they're in q3. He's also one hell of a starter so we maybe in for a good show.

It was mentioned (I think here) that Lando's car was deliberately made understeery, as he was learning the track, to safeguard against putting it in the barriers. We saw what kept happening to Albon at the early stages of the weekend. So it's possible the actual gap between them was exaggerated. Looking back at pre season in Barcelona, from what I remember, their times were quite similar, even on long runs. So there may not be much between them in reality.

Don't discount that they could have been driving to a target time on long runs in testing...

[Jackles-UK]

There is enough to be optimistic about for Bahrain after a bit of an anti-climactic Sunday in Melbourne. The track surface and layout are fairly comparable to Spain with more smooth, long radius corners rather than the bumpy, ‘point & squirt’ style 90 degree corners that dominate Melbourne. The car looked generally pretty handy around Barcelona and it should hopefully make finding a half decent set-up less tricky.

Driver wise it can’t get too much worse for Sainz (luck wise, anyway) and it’s worth pointing out that, unlike Melbourne, not only does Norris already know the Sakhir track but he was absolutely superb there in F2 last year with a dominant pole, race win and fastest lap in the feature race.