Some McLaren news on 2010 Car
Discussion
Some interesting stuff here
McLaren is taking a more aggressive approach to the design of its 2010 car that it has with recent contenders, as it eyes a return to world title glory next year.
On the back an its impressive recovery this campaign, where it went from pre-season tail-enders to race winners by the middle of the year, McLaren says the lessons it took on board in 2009 are being applied to the design of its MP4-25.
"It's still too early to be able to say with any confidence how competitive we'll be, but all we can say with any certainty is that we've approached this year's car more aggressively than we perhaps have in the past," said McLaren's engineering director Paddy Lowe.
"We've used the knowledge we gained from heavily developing MP4-24 to stand us in good stead with the 25.
"We feel we're making very good progress, but, equally, we know there are some very capable teams out there too - I'd be surprised if Red Bull Racing and Ferrari don't come out with very strong packages, and I think Mercedes GP will produce another extremely quick car. You don't write anybody off in this business."
Lowe also believes that the fact the design of the 2010 McLaren was pretty much set in stone before Jenson Button's arrival was confirmed will not be a factor in favouring incumbent Lewis Hamilton.
When asked if it was possible the car design would suit Hamilton more, Lowe said: "Not at all. In fact, the opposite is true: you tend to design a racing car to be as neutral as possible. The only way a car is specifically designed for a driver is ergonomically, and, like I say, we're confident that won't be a problem for Jenson.
"You're trying to provide the driver with the broadest possible performance plateau upon which he can improvise to best suit his style. You'd be surprised, too, at how drivers' different approaches very often culminate in a similar lap time, so, in that respect, we're confident that our drivers will be a good match.
"Besides, you usually find that the competitive instinct takes over: when you make a Formula 1 car faster, it invariably works for both drivers. We only engineer for performance – not for individuality"
Lowe's stance about Button's smooth style not leading to any problems with the McLaren has been backed by managing director Jonathan Neale.
"We're lucky in that Lewis and Jenson both have fairly neutral driving styles – as does Pedro – so it's unlikely to be a problem for us next year," he said.
"Without the variables of fuel-load and fuel-effect, people have suggested that tyre degradation will be the next most important performance-limiting factor during a race, but we don't think that's likely to be the case.
"If you look at previous examples of a guy who's kind to his tyres, and a guy who isn't, it's rare for the guy who pushes his tyres to slip backwards in a race. I think what you see is that a driver's speed comes from a broad range of variables – and it's invariably the characteristics of the car that create a degradation issue, rather than the drivers."
And rather than express any fears about the competition between Hamilton and Button hurting McLaren's chances next year, Neale believes the varied strengths of the two drivers could help the team be more competitive.
"I'm absolutely convinced that they'll be a fantastic and competitive partnership," he said. "The reality is that they'll both bring different skill-sets to the table, and from January onwards we'll be able to very rapidly bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to bear on a number of issues – particularly during pre-season testing.
"In some ways, it multiplies our opportunities in a grand prix too: there could well be tracks where Jenson's skill-set is better-suited to the challenge, and equally, tracks where Lewis could excel. In the past, Jenson has demonstrated considerable talent at high-speed circuits, and we're looking forward to building that into our arsenal.
"As long as we provide both drivers with equal opportunities and equal machinery – something we've always done at this team – then we hope they'll be competitive everywhere."
McLaren is taking a more aggressive approach to the design of its 2010 car that it has with recent contenders, as it eyes a return to world title glory next year.
On the back an its impressive recovery this campaign, where it went from pre-season tail-enders to race winners by the middle of the year, McLaren says the lessons it took on board in 2009 are being applied to the design of its MP4-25.
"It's still too early to be able to say with any confidence how competitive we'll be, but all we can say with any certainty is that we've approached this year's car more aggressively than we perhaps have in the past," said McLaren's engineering director Paddy Lowe.
"We've used the knowledge we gained from heavily developing MP4-24 to stand us in good stead with the 25.
"We feel we're making very good progress, but, equally, we know there are some very capable teams out there too - I'd be surprised if Red Bull Racing and Ferrari don't come out with very strong packages, and I think Mercedes GP will produce another extremely quick car. You don't write anybody off in this business."
Lowe also believes that the fact the design of the 2010 McLaren was pretty much set in stone before Jenson Button's arrival was confirmed will not be a factor in favouring incumbent Lewis Hamilton.
When asked if it was possible the car design would suit Hamilton more, Lowe said: "Not at all. In fact, the opposite is true: you tend to design a racing car to be as neutral as possible. The only way a car is specifically designed for a driver is ergonomically, and, like I say, we're confident that won't be a problem for Jenson.
"You're trying to provide the driver with the broadest possible performance plateau upon which he can improvise to best suit his style. You'd be surprised, too, at how drivers' different approaches very often culminate in a similar lap time, so, in that respect, we're confident that our drivers will be a good match.
"Besides, you usually find that the competitive instinct takes over: when you make a Formula 1 car faster, it invariably works for both drivers. We only engineer for performance – not for individuality"
Lowe's stance about Button's smooth style not leading to any problems with the McLaren has been backed by managing director Jonathan Neale.
"We're lucky in that Lewis and Jenson both have fairly neutral driving styles – as does Pedro – so it's unlikely to be a problem for us next year," he said.
"Without the variables of fuel-load and fuel-effect, people have suggested that tyre degradation will be the next most important performance-limiting factor during a race, but we don't think that's likely to be the case.
"If you look at previous examples of a guy who's kind to his tyres, and a guy who isn't, it's rare for the guy who pushes his tyres to slip backwards in a race. I think what you see is that a driver's speed comes from a broad range of variables – and it's invariably the characteristics of the car that create a degradation issue, rather than the drivers."
And rather than express any fears about the competition between Hamilton and Button hurting McLaren's chances next year, Neale believes the varied strengths of the two drivers could help the team be more competitive.
"I'm absolutely convinced that they'll be a fantastic and competitive partnership," he said. "The reality is that they'll both bring different skill-sets to the table, and from January onwards we'll be able to very rapidly bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to bear on a number of issues – particularly during pre-season testing.
"In some ways, it multiplies our opportunities in a grand prix too: there could well be tracks where Jenson's skill-set is better-suited to the challenge, and equally, tracks where Lewis could excel. In the past, Jenson has demonstrated considerable talent at high-speed circuits, and we're looking forward to building that into our arsenal.
"As long as we provide both drivers with equal opportunities and equal machinery – something we've always done at this team – then we hope they'll be competitive everywhere."
Not sure about that last statement - I heard Heikki complaining that he did not receive upgrades as quickly as Lewis. Not that I'm begrudging, it's natural to favour the defending World Champion, but what about 2010? Bias towrads the defending World Champion or McLaren's golden boy?
Hmmmm let me guess...
Hmmmm let me guess...
Andy_Harrison said:
Not sure about that last statement - I heard Heikki complaining that he did not receive upgrades as quickly as Lewis. Not that I'm begrudging, it's natural to favour the defending World Champion, but what about 2010? Bias towrads the defending World Champion or McLaren's golden boy?
Hmmmm let me guess...
The other way to read that is that McLaren were literally computer testing parts at the beginning of a week, having them manufactured and sent out to the team for the weekend. Whichever driver got the 'upgrade' was running the very real risk of compromising their entire weekend if the on-track results didn't match the simulation.Hmmmm let me guess...
It's not as if Kovalainen had to wait half a season to get upgrades Lewis had ben using- it was literally stuff done on-spec in a very short time frame.
Get Karter said:
Alonso and Hamilton seemed to have very equal cars at McLaren in 2007.
I suspect Button and Hamilton will have similarly equal cars in 2010.
I agreeI suspect Button and Hamilton will have similarly equal cars in 2010.
And with the ban on refuelling, there's less of an 'optimum' strategy in that respect which will favour one driver over another.
Muzzer said:
Get Karter said:
Alonso and Hamilton seemed to have very equal cars at McLaren in 2007.
I suspect Button and Hamilton will have similarly equal cars in 2010.
I agreeI suspect Button and Hamilton will have similarly equal cars in 2010.
And with the ban on refuelling, there's less of an 'optimum' strategy in that respect which will favour one driver over another.
brierleys said:
When they say they're taking an aggressive approach to this year's car, I keep imagining lots of angry designers. "OI! DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD PUT @~$#! WINGS ON THE SIDEPODS!!!"
Perhaps they have taken all the chairs out of the design office, doubled the caffeine in the coffee machine and made sure all the flourescent lights are strobing like mad.
t out of it.. 
Muzzer said:
Get Karter said:
Alonso and Hamilton seemed to have very equal cars at McLaren in 2007.
I suspect Button and Hamilton will have similarly equal cars in 2010.
I agreeI suspect Button and Hamilton will have similarly equal cars in 2010.
And with the ban on refuelling, there's less of an 'optimum' strategy in that respect which will favour one driver over another.
AndrewW-G said:
Muzzer said:
And with the ban on refuelling, there's less of an 'optimum' strategy in that respect which will favour one driver over another.
I think overall the lack of refuelling will benefit the driver who's capable of being kindest to his tyres, whilst the car is fuel heavyspend said:
AndrewW-G said:
Muzzer said:
And with the ban on refuelling, there's less of an 'optimum' strategy in that respect which will favour one driver over another.
I think overall the lack of refuelling will benefit the driver who's capable of being kindest to his tyres, whilst the car is fuel heavyIn some respects there is a likelihood of pushing people towards similar tyre strategies (use the more robust one early when heavy) but even within that, there will be different tyre/driver/car combinations that could be 'in the zone' at different times in the race. I certainly hope so, or we'll be seeing formation pitstops with everyone stopping together...
spend said:
AndrewW-G said:
Muzzer said:
And with the ban on refuelling, there's less of an 'optimum' strategy in that respect which will favour one driver over another.
I think overall the lack of refuelling will benefit the driver who's capable of being kindest to his tyres, whilst the car is fuel heavy
Holst said:
gruffalo said:
Have they announced which engine they are using?
Definately Mercedes this year.They have (I think) signed up for the same engines for quite a few more years, but I guess we may see a mclaren engine in a few years if things dont go smoothly with Mercedes.
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