2019 Mclaren F1 Team - Renault

[mwillems]

Lots of folks starting to get excited! Completely understandable, but speed is relative, and we don't really have the context to understand what our relative speed is yet.
It does seem to be clear that we are faster than last year despite the aero changes and that we should be able to mix it up more this year, but I don't think we could say that we are anywhere more specific than 4th to 7th still.

[Xero]

There isn’t much to gain from real world engines tests as opposed to their simulation tools. It’s important, sure, but not more than aero correlation which has a higher probability of failure.

I think there's still plenty to learn from real world tests that can't be seen on a test bench, Honda's vibration issues over the years a prime example. The obvious things would be ensuring the cooling of engines is adequate (Ferrari had issues yesterday), and tuning/reinforcing the plumbing to withstand the g-forces and vibrations (McLaren had issues yesterday and today).

Bit surprised McLaren opted to do quick runs in the morning though, why run the risk of losing the afternoon due to stressing the PU? Maybe it isn't running as high as people think, now that would raise a few eyebrows.

[FittingMechanics]

I think there's still plenty to learn from real world tests that can't be seen on a test bench, Honda's vibration issues over the years a prime example. The obvious things would be ensuring the cooling of engines is adequate (Ferrari had issues yesterday), and tuning/reinforcing the plumbing to withstand the g-forces and vibrations (McLaren had issues yesterday and today).

Bit surprised McLaren opted to do quick runs in the morning though, why run the risk of losing the afternoon due to stressing the PU? Maybe it isn't running as high as people think, now that would raise a few eyebrows.

McLaren sandbagging?

[taperoo2k]

Could this issue be related with the new-spec Renault?

Surely they won't use full power so early in a day... Late afternoon maybe...

They could have increased the power slightly to see how the car responded.
If they turn up to full power it likely won't be until late in the afternoon on
the final day of testing. Even then I doubt they'd push the PU to the point of destruction,
given the short window between the end of testing and the first race.

As for Renault ? I'd assume at this stage the works team and McLaren will have the same
PU settings available to them, given Renault needs all the data it can get to validate it's PU reliability, power and future development path. As things progress, any new party modes will likely be reserved for the works team.

[Ground Effect]

I think there's still plenty to learn from real world tests that can't be seen on a test bench, Honda's vibration issues over the years a prime example. The obvious things would be ensuring the cooling of engines is adequate (Ferrari had issues yesterday), and tuning/reinforcing the plumbing to withstand the g-forces and vibrations (McLaren had issues yesterday and today).

Bit surprised McLaren opted to do quick runs in the morning though, why run the risk of losing the afternoon due to stressing the PU? Maybe it isn't running as high as people think, now that would raise a few eyebrows.

McLaren sandbagging?

The end is nigh!!!!

[Xero]

[FittingMechanics]

21 lap stint for Sainz on C2. Running about 1:24s. Pitted and out again.

[nirvaand]

19 lap stint if you start from the Practice Start

Practice Start
25.140
24.375
24.071
24.140
24.196
24.318
23.951
24.110
24.288
24.183
24.232
24.293
24.156
24.234
24.213
24.084
24.001
In

[M840TR]

21 lap stint for Sainz on C2. Running about 1:24s. Pitted and out again.

He's still on C2 but consistently lapping around 1:23 now.

[Xero]

He's down to a 1:23.0 and 1:23.2 in that last couple of laps.

[dr_cooke]

19 lap stint if you start from the Practice Start

Practice Start
25.140
24.375
24.071
24.140
24.196
24.318
23.951
24.110
24.288
24.183
24.232
24.293
24.156
24.234
24.213
24.084
24.001
In

That's a remarkably stable pace

[FittingMechanics]

He's down to a 1:23.0 and 1:23.2 in that last couple of laps.

Looking at RBR race sim pace, who has what journalists would say "promising pace", McLaren is about half a second down on RBR. In first stint, Verstappen was doing high 1:23s and in second stint mid to high 1:22s.

[nirvaand]

Max was on the C3s in the first stint. Second stint he was on the C2s.

[dr_cooke]

Interesting to see SAINZ and RAIKKONEN lap by lap evolution. Don't know which tyres RAI is on or the fuel loads for that matter, but lap times evolve exactly in parallel, with RAI being around .8s slower each lap. Tyres seem to be decaying exactly the same way in both cars. SAI got one or two high 22s and now in low 24s

[nirvaand]

Pace is starting to fall off, I'm wondering if Carlos only did a driver through after the first stint and didn't have a change of tires.