2021 Mclaren F1 Team

[billamend]

A state of the art wind tunnel is not only essential for the F1 team but for McLaren's broader plans as a whole. The road cars they make are so fast that they pretty much need their own dedicated wind tunnel just for that. McLaren is still McLaren. I always saw McLaren as cutting edge precision engineering, that is essentially art. I don't see the wind tunnel as a liability if it lets them do their thing.

Don’t they have a wind tunnel? Just one that is no longer allowed to be used (full-size)?

[godlameroso]

A state of the art wind tunnel is not only essential for the F1 team but for McLaren's broader plans as a whole. The road cars they make are so fast that they pretty much need their own dedicated wind tunnel just for that. McLaren is still McLaren. I always saw McLaren as cutting edge precision engineering, that is essentially art. I don't see the wind tunnel as a liability if it lets them do their thing.

Don’t they have a wind tunnel? Just one that is no longer allowed to be used (full-size)?

I thought the F1 car model is what is limited to the 60% scale, the actual tunnel can be any size.

[PlatinumZealot]

They have been doing well with what they have so far.

[Jolle]

A state of the art wind tunnel is not only essential for the F1 team but for McLaren's broader plans as a whole. The road cars they make are so fast that they pretty much need their own dedicated wind tunnel just for that. McLaren is still McLaren. I always saw McLaren as cutting edge precision engineering, that is essentially art. I don't see the wind tunnel as a liability if it lets them do their thing.

Don’t they have a wind tunnel? Just one that is no longer allowed to be used (full-size)?

I thought the F1 car model is what is limited to the 60% scale, the actual tunnel can be any size.

For road car applications the one they have already is probably more then good enough. The margins there are a lot bigger (and shapes a less delicate)

[PhillipM]

It's very simple. You still need to verify your algorithms for your CFD programs. Validation of those will be vital even if you can't use the tunnel directly.

[SmallSoldier]

McLaren’s race preview below… The team seems very cautious about the Hungaroring:

https://www.mclaren.com/racing/2021/hun ... w-hungary/

[Macklaren]

glad to see that. McLaren's best races this season have been the ones where expectations have been lowest

[mclaren111]

Andrew Benson:
Some stats after 10 Grands Prix (half a season, give or take):

Qualifying average of best laps for each team per weekend

Red Bull
Mercedes +0.022secs
Ferrari +0.419
McLaren +0.438
Alpha Tauri +0.581
Alpine +0.821
Aston Martin +0.955
Williams +1.218
Alfa Romeo 1.257
Haas +2.379

Good step forward from 2020...

[geogate]

Mclaren have been using Toyota's wind tunnel in Cologne for years - I'm not sure how that stacks up these days compared to the other teams. The problem with their own tunnel is that it is just too small for a 60% model, or anything close

[SiLo]

Mclaren have been using Toyota's wind tunnel in Cologne for years - I'm not sure how that stacks up these days compared to the other teams. The problem with their own tunnel is that it is just too small for a 60% model, or anything close

Surely it might be that their wind tunnel is too big? because it would be used for full sized road cars?

[the EDGE]

Mclaren have been using Toyota's wind tunnel in Cologne for years - I'm not sure how that stacks up these days compared to the other teams. The problem with their own tunnel is that it is just too small for a 60% model, or anything close

Surely it might be that their wind tunnel is too big? because it would be used for full sized road cars?

No, the windtunnel was there long before McLaren automotive, and I don’t think it matters if the car is smaller than the max six it can accommodate

I think the issue is that the windtunnel he’s not actually big enough, and the technology used is just outdated

[geogate]

I have a feeling there is an "optimum" for the tunnel vs model size. I "think" these new tunnels have adaptable tunnel walls which are able to contour around the model as required to more accurately reflect open road wind flow.
SiLo - no mate, its too small, definite.

[SmallSoldier]

Mclaren have been using Toyota's wind tunnel in Cologne for years - I'm not sure how that stacks up these days compared to the other teams. The problem with their own tunnel is that it is just too small for a 60% model, or anything close

Surely it might be that their wind tunnel is too big? because it would be used for full sized road cars?

The problem with the wind tunnel is not because of the physical size of the race car, it has more to do with the how the air is displaced / moved by the aero surfaces.

When the cars changed from an inboard aero concept to an outboard aero concept (in order to manage the front tire wake), the restrictions due to the size of the tunnel were apparent… The air been pushed outwards by the front wings would not have enough room in McLaren’s tunnel and therefore they had to move to the Toyota Tunnel in Cologne, which is effectively larger (and at the time, probably more up to date in terms of technology)

[SmallSoldier]

Good interview to James Key in regards to the 2022 cars… McLaren’s approach, the impact of having less CFD and Windtunnel time, as well as how now they are up to par with their CFD tools to face the new regulations

https://au.motorsport.com/f1/news/mclar ... y/6637342/

[adrianjordan]

Wow Dan said on unboxed he had hayfever from lap 12 during the race. His eyes looked watery after it. I get hayfever myself and it's a mongrel with those watery eyes. Good bloody effort to hold off Sainz in that condition.

I'm surprised he doesn't take something for hayfever. I take a one-a-day tablet during the summer because it's horrible when you get an attack of it, and I do a lot driving for work. Unless of course there's concern about something in the tablet being a banned substance.

My hay-fever has been playing up through the heat wave. I take a prescription strength antihistamine on a daily basis and have still been struggling!!