This forum contains threads to discuss teams themselves. Anything not technical about the cars, including restructuring, performances etc belongs here.
Danny Ricc has posted on his Instagram to say the car has great potential.
In Bahrain they were suggesting we had better race pace than quali- any reason why that would be any different this weekend? It would be fantastic if we were stronger tomorrow.
Daniel took a long time to find pace today but he’s got himself within 4 tenths of pole and feels there is more to come- that has to be a good sign.
Lando had it hooked up all day long, and I’m delighted to see that. He and Ricciardo could really push each other further forward through the season.
The setup can have an effect on how performance sits between race and Qualy, particularly in how well the tyres are managed.
It would be interesting to know what the team discovered about the "peculiarities" of the car that allowed them to set up the car in a more efficient manner. Perhaps it might affect the balance between race and Qualy pace, or maybe it won't. But it is the kind of change that can alter the circumstantial behaviour.
mwillems wrote:
And very early in the season to have an apparent strong understanding of the car. Particularly with such a shortened test schedule.
Mighty impressive from everyone in the team.
Indeed! The biggest highlight might be the fact that the team didn’t showed up to Imola with a bunch of updates that were the reason for the change in performance, it is for the most part still the same car that run at Testing... Wondering if there is an upgrade package in the horizon, my guess is yes, since the production team won’t be sitting idle and the 2022 car is still probably in design phase and therefore no parts are been made for it yet.
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The team have spoken of upgrades in the pipeline for sure. But I havent heard from the team, or anywhere else, when they might be.
Given that when James Key was discussing the Mclaren diffuser, he said it would take 4-5 weeks to copy and produce that part effectively, if teams wished to. So I guess then that if you are doing a cut and paste job, as well as a little bit of modelling to ensure it works with your car, then that is the minimum time before updates would arrive at the track.
It has been 5 weeks since testing so I would think that you'll see updates arrive sometime in the next few races, and I'll guess it will be Barcelona again.
Bear in mind that the teams now have CFD and wind tunnel budgets based on last years finishing positions, so manufacturing capacity is not the issue, but how much design to use and where.
Maybe they’re sticking to Barcelona for something significant? It’s more often than not race 5, but this year it’s race 4, but a bigger gap from the start of the season I think.
Q: (Stefano Mancini – La Stampa) Kimi, will you help Vettel to win his championship this year?
Kimi Raikkonen: I can only drive one car, obviously.
@2018 Singapore Grand Prix drivers press conference.
Indeed! The biggest highlight might be the fact that the team didn’t showed up to Imola with a bunch of updates that were the reason for the change in performance, it is for the most part still the same car that run at Testing... Wondering if there is an upgrade package in the horizon, my guess is yes, since the production team won’t be sitting idle and the 2022 car is still probably in design phase and therefore no parts are been made for it yet.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The team have spoken of upgrades in the pipeline for sure. But I havent heard from the team, or anywhere else, when they might be.
Given that when James Key was discussing the Mclaren diffuser, he said it would take 4-5 weeks to copy and produce that part effectively, if teams wished to. So I guess then that if you are doing a cut and paste job, as well as a little bit of modelling to ensure it works with your car, then that is the minimum time before updates would arrive at the track.
It has been 5 weeks since testing so I would think that you'll see updates arrive sometime in the next few races, and I'll guess it will be Barcelona again.
Bear in mind that the teams now have CFD and wind tunnel budgets based on last years finishing positions, so manufacturing capacity is not the issue, but how much design to use and where.
Maybe they’re sticking to Barcelona for something significant? It’s more often than not race 5, but this year it’s race 4, but a bigger gap from the start of the season I think.
Race 5 is Monaco this season, so not much point using the big upgrades at that sort of track, as the changes we can make (Largely aero) won't do a great deal.
With that in mind, I wonder if Mclaren will this year produce a specialised high downforce package.
mwillems wrote:
And very early in the season to have an apparent strong understanding of the car. Particularly with such a shortened test schedule.
Mighty impressive from everyone in the team.
Indeed! The biggest highlight might be the fact that the team didn’t showed up to Imola with a bunch of updates that were the reason for the change in performance, it is for the most part still the same car that run at Testing... Wondering if there is an upgrade package in the horizon, my guess is yes, since the production team won’t be sitting idle and the 2022 car is still probably in design phase and therefore no parts are been made for it yet.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The team have spoken of upgrades in the pipeline for sure. But I havent heard from the team, or anywhere else, when they might be.
Given that when James Key was discussing the Mclaren diffuser, he said it would take 4-5 weeks to copy and produce that part effectively, if teams wished to. So I guess then that if you are doing a cut and paste job, as well as a little bit of modelling to ensure it works with your car, then that is the minimum time before updates would arrive at the track.
It has been 5 weeks since testing so I would think that you'll see updates arrive sometime in the next few races, and I'll guess it will be Barcelona again.
Bear in mind that the teams now have CFD and wind tunnel budgets based on last years finishing positions, so manufacturing capacity is not the issue, but how much design to use and where.
That’s a very valid point, how much time will the team “invest” in this year’s car.
The team have spoken of upgrades in the pipeline for sure. But I havent heard from the team, or anywhere else, when they might be.
Given that when James Key was discussing the Mclaren diffuser, he said it would take 4-5 weeks to copy and produce that part effectively, if teams wished to. So I guess then that if you are doing a cut and paste job, as well as a little bit of modelling to ensure it works with your car, then that is the minimum time before updates would arrive at the track.
It has been 5 weeks since testing so I would think that you'll see updates arrive sometime in the next few races, and I'll guess it will be Barcelona again.
Bear in mind that the teams now have CFD and wind tunnel budgets based on last years finishing positions, so manufacturing capacity is not the issue, but how much design to use and where.
Maybe they’re sticking to Barcelona for something significant? It’s more often than not race 5, but this year it’s race 4, but a bigger gap from the start of the season I think.
Race 5 is Monaco this season, so not much point using the big upgrades at that sort of track, as the changes we can make (Largely aero) won't do a great deal.
With that in mind, I wonder if Mclaren will this year produce a specialised high downforce package.
If they are going to focus on anything, I doubt it would be on a package that will only be useful in a couple of races (Monaco, Singapore)... It would have to be on a project that provides overall increased performance and not track specific.
Look the car runs really well as it is. It may just provide the nudge to spend resources on ‘22 sooner rather than later. They’re competitive at the frond of midfield as it is. They won’t catch the top 4 on average so what’s the gain. The only updates to bring are the ones that have been in the pipeline for a while and maybe bits that have touching points/learning with ‘22 in mind. Finding the balance point is going to be rather tricky for everyone, but if the car is at the front without updates, in my mind I’d be making the r&d switch sooner not later
"A disappointing end to qualifying. I think the whole thing went very well and I was very happy with my laps all the way through. We only did one run in Q1 and Q2, which I think is the first time I’ve ever done that. So things were looking hopeful, but I just overdid it slightly on my final lap, which was a very good lap but just a little bit wide and the lap was taken away. Pretty disappointed, because we could’ve been a lot higher up and in a much better position for tomorrow.
"After we struggled yesterday, we've done a lot of work and the feeling in the car was much better today. The team both here and at the factory has done a great job overnight to work on improvements and give us a car that felt quick and was capable of fighting right up there and maybe even for pole. I'm gutted, but there are still a lot of positives to take away from today and hopefully we can convert them into a good result tomorrow."
Daniel Ricciardo:
“I think on paper it’s not a bad result, P6. It’s really tight at the front. I think the weekend has been a bit slow for me to get going. We got a bit closer in quali and I certainly made some improvements, but I still think – and I hate to say it – it’s just going to take time to keep finding the limits. I’m getting there. I obviously wish I could be there from lap one, but I think it’s been a weekend of progress so far and there are definitely positives to take after qualifying. We’ve worked well as a team to recover from a difficult Friday, so thanks to the team here and in the factory for their hard work. I wouldn’t say I'm ecstatic, but I'm certainly content with our progress.”
Andreas Seidl:
“P6 and P7 after an exciting qualifying session puts us again in a strong position to fight for good points tomorrow. We initially felt a bit disappointed after seeing what would’ve been possible with Lando, who was flying today, but it was very positive to see how competitive we’ve been. Daniel didn’t feel as comfortable in the car as Lando earlier in the weekend but did a great job, together with his engineering team, building it up throughout the quali sessions and putting in a good lap at the very end.
“Well done to the team here at the track, back home and at Mercedes for developing and producing a competitive car. Full focus now on preparing for the race. The weather forecast predicts rain for tomorrow afternoon. Let's get some good points again.”
Great Qually, too bad Lando did step out of turn 9 on his last and stellar lap... but tomorrow is where we get the points.
P.S Can't believe some people were ready to throw the towel after Friday practice ;0
It still feels incredibly disappointing today, but I guess until we see what happens tomorrow the disappointment will remain.
What's great is that both AlphaTauri and Ferrari brought upgrades here while McLaren only brought a tweak at the rear of the floor. Not sure what AlphaTauri brought but Ferrari actually had a new floor here.
Today was encouraging on so many different levels. It's a shame the result ended up as it did.
Emag wrote:It still feels incredibly disappointing today, but I guess until we see what happens tomorrow the disappointment will remain.
What's great is that both AlphaTauri and Ferrari brought upgrades here while McLaren only brought a tweak at the rear of the floor. Not sure what AlphaTauri brought but Ferrari actually had a new floor here.
Today was encouraging on so many different levels. It's a shame the result ended up as it did.
Yes, disappointing... But, we always have to keep in mind that the points are given on Sunday.
Let’s hope for a good and uneventful race! A lot can happen tomorrow and ultimately is when it matters... P6 and P7 aren’t bad starting positions either
As disappointing as today feels, it is not a huge loss because we seemed to be quick on merit - esp. on a track that isn't or best - Which means the opportunity is likely to come again.
What is usually gutting is when a rare opportunity to outperform the car's normal performance level is lost... That was not the case today, which is a huge testament to how far this team has come
The race tomorrow need much work, special from the pit wall. But not because we are "only" P6 and P7 but beause it's Imola. Fresh tires will be the key for overtaking, and there is a good chance that after 5 laps the positions have changed completly (safety car, soft tyre).
great lap there by lando. pure surprise. i can't understand why ric is struggling.
since last year, mclaren has steadily improved the qualifying form. the race pace is still not where their qualifying pace is. still a lot of work needed to get the tyres working well and the car to be faster with a fat fuel load.
MKlaus wrote:great lap there by lando. pure surprise. i can't understand why ric is struggling.
since last year, mclaren has steadily improved the qualifying form. the race pace is still not where their qualifying pace is. still a lot of work needed to get the tyres working well and the car to be faster with a fat fuel load.
Ricciardo explained it well, it was just lack of mileage / confidence in the car at the limit... Imola is a very punishing track (like we experienced with Lando today) and it’s not only about finding the limits is also feeling comfortable when you are very close to them.
Today, the likes of RIC, ALO and SAI struggled simply because they weren’t as comfortable pushing their cars to gain those last tenths needed to be up the grid... Nothing wrong with them or their cars, is simply a matter of seat time and laps to get more and more comfortable with the car.
For sure a little disappointing...But honestly, every year I am so eager to get a feeling for the pecking order early in pre season testing and the first races. And the feeling of having a shot at pole position was really overwhelming and made me jump in my chair. Therefore to me in these first races results are nice and all but they don't really matter to me. That feeling I got today was missing for close to 10 years, so I'm really happy today, and I think all Mclaren fans should be after seeing that session
Cheers
