They where always low thought the test. But I would also say the car is relativly soft on the front.CjC wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 17:13I haven’t followed the tv pictures at all really this test.
The McLaren looks low at the front. Front wing end plates touching the ground on roll, the front of the floor skimming the tarmac- a trait from the MCL39.
Have they had the car this low all test or have they been gradually lowering it as
they go?
Ok. Yea I agree with the soft front too hence the rolling from side to sidemichl420 wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 17:37They where always low thought the test. But I would also say the car is relativly soft on the front.CjC wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 17:13I haven’t followed the tv pictures at all really this test.
The McLaren looks low at the front. Front wing end plates touching the ground on roll, the front of the floor skimming the tarmac- a trait from the MCL39.
Have they had the car this low all test or have they been gradually lowering it as
they go?
I'm sure it's just a test item. Interesting as even in Mexico last year they didn't have something that big.FittingMechanics wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 17:59Wasn't on the car in the afternoon today. Maybe it's for the morning session.
True and acually the smaller outlet pic is the lower angle. Apologies.McFAN wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026, 16:50It is a lot more open
look at the gap to the exhaust.





Probably they expect the downwashing air to separate from the waterslide before it meets the floor, and close to the physical merging point of the two surfaces, the 'wrap-around' air from the bottom of the sidepod to 'merge' with the watersliding air and together rush towards the coke bottle area.101FlyingDutchman wrote: ↑23 Feb 2026, 13:49Q: what is the benefit of the sidepods fairly sharp angle down to floor. Obviously it’s downwashing and a significant amount of floor real estate behind the end of the pod.
But it seems to me by lifting the pod (reducing the downwash angle) you’d be able to use it as a semi wing and have air being able to get to the rear virtually uninterrupted underneath it
101FlyingDutchman wrote: ↑23 Feb 2026, 13:49Q: what is the benefit of the sidepods fairly sharp angle down to floor. Obviously it’s downwashing and a significant amount of floor real estate behind the end of the pod.
But it seems to me by lifting the pod (reducing the downwash angle) you’d be able to use it as a semi wing and have air being able to get to the rear virtually uninterrupted underneath it
The picture below shows pretty well how the bodywork is trying to converge the air flowing over and around the sidepod and focus it into the volume between the rear wheel and the coke bottle, where the diffuser ramp begins. I'm pretty sure this will create a volume of high-pressure in that region, which will help contain the tire-squirt from the rear wheel, and should help to prevent front wheel wake from being sucked through that area and over the top of the diffuser.101FlyingDutchman wrote: ↑23 Feb 2026, 14:55Indeed like AM. It seems the MCL40 packaging would allow that concept so I’m just wondering what the reasoning for not going to that concept might be. I’m guessing airflow stability & predictability especially in yaw would be better with current concept but perhaps with a reduction of total mass flow

