[ 2020 ] Mclaren F1 Team - Renault

[Macklaren]

So, the stewards have ruled the protest “admissible”, so more evidence needs to be gathered before a ruling. So if they get excluded, Carlos moves up to P7.... but let’s not get ahead of ourselves...

Yes but I think this has much bigger implications for the rest of the season, if it happens...

[diffuser]

Question what is this Scenario 7? Second time I hear that Scenario 7 and the car suddenly flies. Is it possible to make Scenario 7 possible for all the race?

Pretty sure its an engine mode or perhaps battery deployment related.

Nope due to additional wear especially as the PU components need to last several races.

I agree, my guess would be with regards to max % of battery charge. If they charge to 100% and discharge, the battery would not last as long. To extend battery life they probably only charge to 70%. Then when they need an extra push, they flick the engine mode to allow the charge to 100%.

[diffuser]

Not the worst strategy! Lol

But... The fact that is related to specific parts may actually have an impact, the “whole” car was already ruled as legal... Interesting


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It might mean that Renault has insider knowledge. If a couple of parts weren't visible by photographs yet Racing Point was able to copy them, it would be proof of either spying or copying.

RacingPoint now needs to show how they developed the part.

Wish you'd stop with the copying. I, like you was outraged at first. The FIA have looked at RP plans and compared the to Merc 2019 and they decided that they didn't just buy the plans from Merc. It is legal.

No point in just dragging it out all year..

[Sevach]

Question what is this Scenario 7? Second time I hear that Scenario 7 and the car suddenly flies. Is it possible to make Scenario 7 possible for all the race?

Pretty sure its an engine mode or perhaps battery deployment related.

Nope due to additional wear especially as the PU components need to last several races.

I agree, my guess would be with regards to max % of battery charge. If they charge to 100% and discharge, the battery would not last as long. To extend battery life they probably only charge to 70%. Then when they need an extra push, they flick the engine mode to allow the charge to 100%.

Since they only use it when the race is about to end, i'm assuming it's maximum deployment with very little harvesting (harvesting slightly harms your braking).

If that theory is correct Mclaren can't use that during most of the race or risk being left with no battery for the subsequent laps.

[Rodak]

.... is as equivalent as a Spygate since the Mercedes Technical team helped them copy last years car without saying anything to the FIA.

Do you really think a large corporation like Mercedes would aid and abet something like this? No way Mercedes would participate in this sort of thing; the fallout would be disastrous for the company's reputation. Just look at the recent VW diesel debacle..... They wouldn't risk this to aid another team, junior or not; it's just not worth it.

[Ground Effect]

.... is as equivalent as a Spygate since the Mercedes Technical team helped them copy last years car without saying anything to the FIA.

Do you really think a large corporation like Mercedes would aid and abet something like this? No way Mercedes would participate in this sort of thing; the fallout would be disastrous for the company's reputation. Just look at the recent VW diesel debacle..... They wouldn't risk this to aid another team, junior or not; it's just not worth it.

The word scandal exists for a reason, like you pointed out VW, I’m sure they knew what they were doing and the implications, yet they did it. What about Ferrari and their engine? Just because the FIA, not for the first time, swept it under the carpet. If they had made their findings public, stating Ferrari cheated, that’s pretty much a scandal. Now I’m not saying the Mercedes CEO is involved, or there’s any wrong doing, we don’t know yet. But we live in a world of corrupt practices. A few engineers from both teams just need to have lunch with each other a couple of times.
For the mere fact the stewards have deemed the protest admissible, means it’s worth keeping an eye on.

[adrianjordan]

While I agree the protest is interesting and will impact on McLaren, could we keep this thread directly related to McLaren? Just waded through more posts relating to RP and Merc than actually about the team the thread is supposed to be about!!

[Jolle]

Pretty sure its an engine mode or perhaps battery deployment related.

Nope due to additional wear especially as the PU components need to last several races.

I agree, my guess would be with regards to max % of battery charge. If they charge to 100% and discharge, the battery would not last as long. To extend battery life they probably only charge to 70%. Then when they need an extra push, they flick the engine mode to allow the charge to 100%.

Since they only use it when the race is about to end, i'm assuming it's maximum deployment with very little harvesting (harvesting slightly harms your braking).

If that theory is correct Mclaren can't use that during most of the race or risk being left with no battery for the subsequent laps.

I assume the batteries capacity is well over the 4 kJ they are allowed to use during a lap, having a healthy battery in its whole life (around 7 GP’s), so they never discharge it more then 70%.

The rules don’t state a max capacity, just a minimal weight. The flow of energy per lap and usable energy is limited, not the actual size. Same goes for fuel by the way. You may only use 110kg, but must have a few liters to spare as a sample. So at imola, cars are probably fueled with 115 kg.

[genarro]

we'll probably see more parts validation in hungary FP1 and FP2? considering that an update package is coming to Silverstone.

[JRindt]

Not the worst strategy! Lol

But... The fact that is related to specific parts may actually have an impact, the “whole” car was already ruled as legal... Interesting


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It might mean that Renault has insider knowledge. If a couple of parts weren't visible by photographs yet Racing Point was able to copy them, it would be proof of either spying or copying.

RacingPoint now needs to show how they developed the part.

Wish you'd stop with the copying. I, like you was outraged at first. The FIA have looked at RP plans and compared the to Merc 2019 and they decided that they didn't just buy the plans from Merc. It is legal.

No point in just dragging it out all year..

Well, what did you expect FIA to do? Disqualify RP and race with 18 cars? RP probably knew F1 and FIA can’t afford to lose one more team and pushed the boundaries that little bit.

[genarro]

with the cost cap F1 is again interesting to independent teams to join..RP isnt even remotely safe if they are found guilty. If the FIA finds out that they cheated then they will be punished i imagine severely. Even Ferrari had to change the engine because they were cheating (the FIA just werent able to prove it) and we know that Ferrari is sometimes above them.

A cheater has to be punished or the sport will lose its credibility

[Andres125sx]

Very good start from Sainz. Norris must have lost two places cause after the two Ferraris got out he was in the same position.

Believe it or not, both McLaren were ahead of both Ferraris, even after the 3 position penalty for Norris. Imagine if someone would have predicted this before the season start

[Andres125sx]

Did Sainz got damaged at the start? He was generally slow today. In Hungary we will beat RPs by pure aedodynamic pace as Hungary is an aerodynamic friendly GP.

At some point he had some battery problems, and after the disatrous pitstop he had to fight hard to recover some positions on track and his tires were totalled at the end of the race.

That was a costly pitstop, could have been a 5/6th in the race

[Still an Iceman]

These rules are bullshit. They are giving Mercedes the next championship on a platter. The FIA will never change. Always setting up championship.s

You know, recent regulation changes due to short time decision requires an unanimous vote from evryone, including teams ! All rules decisions has been for this las 3 maonths were made with the requirement of unanimity for 2020 and 2021 (not sure for 2022, but I won't be surprised if 2022 required unanimity.

So, if the rule about freezing chassis for 2021 is there, it's not the decision of FIA only, but also the decision of every teams.
FIA can change rule by almost themselve (no need for unanimity), if it's done early enough. I don't know how early, but it at least more than 1 year for the new rules to apply (eg. They can change rules for 2023 and further with no need for unanimity.

[Emag]

This car is super quick on low fuel, but it loses so much compared to the competition on the bigger weight. I am guessing it has something to do with the tire management, maybe they can't get enough heat into them, I am not sure. I have also spotted that they get a lot faster towards the end of the tire stint too. Like when the tires are about to run out, McLaren manages to get a lot more out of the car compared to the competition.

I hope they pinpoint what's causing this slump on race day because if they an translate their quali pace into sundays, then there are chances to take a lot of points if Albon has off-weekends (like Styria). It is also necessary in order to keep the Racing Points behind for the time being until some upgrades (which were originally planned for Silverstone if I am not mistaken) for the car. Hopefully they deliver some extra performance because at the moment the RP is faster on race trim and that's when the points are awarded.