2021 F1 cars thread
Discussion
resolve10 said:
I've never really understood sandbagging. Put it all on the track and let the other teams stress about how they're going to catch up. There's not a lot you can fundamentally change on the car once it's at testing anyway!
Testing is used for benchmarking and proving concept, each run has a set program they are working through to stress each area. It's not about lap times, this will be even more the case this year with such limited track time.McLaren looks nice, as expected much tighter packaging than last year with the new Mercedes PU, it would be good to see some more detailed photos of the technical areas of change but I’m sure they’ll be out there soon.
Here’s the official launch page https://www.mclaren.com/racing/2021/car-launch/mcl...
Here’s the official launch page https://www.mclaren.com/racing/2021/car-launch/mcl...
resolve10 said:
I've never really understood sandbagging. Put it all on the track and let the other teams stress about how they're going to catch up. There's not a lot you can fundamentally change on the car once it's at testing anyway!
Better to have the other team thinking they have a great car and not give them the opportunity to rush through a series of changes before the first GP.Anyway when a car comes out that is way ahead the other teams think they are running light or cheating generally rather than there is something wrong with their own car.
Kraken said:
Better to have the other team thinking they have a great car and not give them the opportunity to rush through a series of changes before the first GP.
No team comes away from testing thinking, "Well, we're half a second faster than everyone else, no need to rush those upgrades. Everyone take the week off."Testing is for proving concept, checking correlation of real world with the wind tunnel and CFD, testing reliability and learning how to set up the car.
If you're an F1 nerd, you should definitely go, particularly when there's a big regulation change.
HardtopManual said:
No team comes away from testing thinking, "Well, we're half a second faster than everyone else, no need to rush those upgrades. Everyone take the week off."
Testing is for proving concept, checking correlation of real world with the wind tunnel and CFD, testing reliability and learning how to set up the car.
If you're an F1 nerd, you should definitely go, particularly when there's a big regulation change.
Yes, I'm totally aware of how testing works thank you. My reply was in the context of the post I was quoting rather than something to stand on it's own.Testing is for proving concept, checking correlation of real world with the wind tunnel and CFD, testing reliability and learning how to set up the car.
If you're an F1 nerd, you should definitely go, particularly when there's a big regulation change.
A team that has a planned upgrade path is not going to suddenly change that and go for a series of fast updates if they've come out of testing with no unexpected issues and on what they think is the pace.
Presuming Ed said:
So how do we think McLaren will do this season, ahead of Aston and Red Bull?
Assuming no major PU integration issues, the expectation must be for a solid third behind MB and RB. The limits on development this season should give them a shout at challenging for second, as RB have traditionally developed their car during the season rather than over the winter. Sandpit Steve said:
Presuming Ed said:
So how do we think McLaren will do this season, ahead of Aston and Red Bull?
Assuming no major PU integration issues, the expectation must be for a solid third behind MB and RB. The limits on development this season should give them a shout at challenging for second, as RB have traditionally developed their car during the season rather than over the winter. Yes they have a better engine this year, but in theory that's all the have whereas the other teams have their two tokens to spend on changing whatever major elements they feel are most lacking. It's certainly possible that Mclaren will hang onto third, but I think it more likely that they'll be overtaken either by Aston or Renault or even both. If Ferrari get their act together with their engine they might be a threat too.
To my mind first and second are 90% set in stone; but third down to sixth could be pretty much any order.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 16th February 16:28
Presuming Ed said:
So how do we think McLaren will do this season, ahead of Aston and Red Bull?
Depends, if the McLaren of last year was on a similar level as the RB on aero, but now with a much better engine and no issues then I think it will be neck and neck, however I think RB may beat them, I love Lando but I am not sure of the Lando/Ric team will be as strong as the Perez/Max, if Perez can be better than Albon and Gasly then you have a team which will be strong, even if Perez is rear gunner all the time he wont be halfway down the pecking order or 3 miles behind like Gasly and Albon were, that said I would still be watching Gasly in the Tauri.Now if someone can send a can of clear lacquer to McLaren to finish the paint job off that would be cool.
Sandpit Steve said:
Presuming Ed said:
So how do we think McLaren will do this season, ahead of Aston and Red Bull?
Assuming no major PU integration issues, the expectation must be for a solid third behind MB and RB. The limits on development this season should give them a shout at challenging for second, as RB have traditionally developed their car during the season rather than over the winter. That would mean that instead of third being the target for the likes of Mclaren/RP/Renault, that instead the target would be fourth.
Or... The Ferrari could still be a no hoper at most races.
Personally I would be surprised to see either Aston or McLaren ahead of Red Bull this season. But as for which team will be closest to Red Bull, I wouldn't like to choose between the two until at least pre-season testing is well underway. The Aston should be good... The McLaren could in fact be epically good, or it could prove that on track the switch to Merc power isn't quite as seamless as their admittedly very nicely packaged new car suggests.
Piginapoke said:
Been waiting for that! His series covering each new car last season was excellent kambites said:
I'm not convinced.
Yes they have a better engine this year, but in theory that's all the have whereas the other teams have their two tokens to spend on changing whatever major elements they feel are most lacking. It's certainly possible that Mclaren will hang onto third, but I think it more likely that they'll be overtaken either by Aston or Renault or even both. If Ferrari get their act together with their engine they might be a threat too.
To my mind first and second are 90% set in stone; but third down to sixth could be pretty much any order.
Agreed, Ferrari could be anywhere from regularly winning races to miles behind. They could end up 2nd or 6th. As with last year, the midfield race could be awesome in 2021. Yes they have a better engine this year, but in theory that's all the have whereas the other teams have their two tokens to spend on changing whatever major elements they feel are most lacking. It's certainly possible that Mclaren will hang onto third, but I think it more likely that they'll be overtaken either by Aston or Renault or even both. If Ferrari get their act together with their engine they might be a threat too.
To my mind first and second are 90% set in stone; but third down to sixth could be pretty much any order.
Sandpit Steve said:
kambites said:
I'm not convinced.
Yes they have a better engine this year, but in theory that's all the have whereas the other teams have their two tokens to spend on changing whatever major elements they feel are most lacking. It's certainly possible that Mclaren will hang onto third, but I think it more likely that they'll be overtaken either by Aston or Renault or even both. If Ferrari get their act together with their engine they might be a threat too.
To my mind first and second are 90% set in stone; but third down to sixth could be pretty much any order.
Agreed, Ferrari could be anywhere from regularly winning races to miles behind. They could end up 2nd or 6th. As with last year, the midfield race could be awesome in 2021. Yes they have a better engine this year, but in theory that's all the have whereas the other teams have their two tokens to spend on changing whatever major elements they feel are most lacking. It's certainly possible that Mclaren will hang onto third, but I think it more likely that they'll be overtaken either by Aston or Renault or even both. If Ferrari get their act together with their engine they might be a threat too.
To my mind first and second are 90% set in stone; but third down to sixth could be pretty much any order.
We'll know soon enough one way or the other. I can virtually guarantee however that even if their 2021 car is the finest on the grid, Ferrari will still find creative ways to throw away a championship effort
BrettMRC said:
Odd choice to blur it so heavily! Will hopefully be some clearer images released/acquired by the end of today. I'm expecting it to be a very mild refresh of last years car other than the mandated changes. They'd be bonkers to put too much in to this years challenger at the expense of their 2022 'fresh start' car.TheDeuce said:
BrettMRC said:
Odd choice to blur it so heavily! Will hopefully be some clearer images released/acquired by the end of today. I'm expecting it to be a very mild refresh of last years car other than the mandated changes. They'd be bonkers to put too much in to this years challenger at the expense of their 2022 'fresh start' car.LaurasOtherHalf said:
TheDeuce said:
BrettMRC said:
Odd choice to blur it so heavily! Will hopefully be some clearer images released/acquired by the end of today. I'm expecting it to be a very mild refresh of last years car other than the mandated changes. They'd be bonkers to put too much in to this years challenger at the expense of their 2022 'fresh start' car.Normally it's reveal first then shakedown. Or at least video/pics of shakedown not revealed at all unto post reveal.
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