Mclarens New 2009 spec Front wing

[stevieb]

Looks like this may be a bone of contention nxt year as it seems to be considerably bigger than the other teams..

Without knowing the regs obviously cant really comment on the legality of the wing. but are there any other thoughts?

[Jack Blag]

The other teams (with the smaller front wing) are probably running 2008 spec aero to benchmark the slick tyres before switching to 2009 spec. Why would McLaren test an illegal front wing?

[hornetrider]

Pics?

[Jack Blag]

[Muzzer]

Jack Blag said:

Bit mis-leading there chap - that's a 2008-spec Ferrari front wing and a 2009 McLaren one!

It doesn't look much bigger than anyone else's '09 wing to me but what do I know...

[Jack Blag]

I know... that was the explanation I gave the OP for the difference in wing size!

[tmk2]

Does look similar to the BMW and (Honda) 2009 spec wings

[zac510]

I think it's the colour being slightly deceiving.

[anonymous-user]

Maybe it's a camel shadow effect!

[Sf_Manta]

That.. doesn't look half bad to be honest

[MrKipling43]

Sf_Manta said:

That.. doesn't look half bad to be honest

I love it.

[Cara Van Man]

You can always rely on McLaren to produce a beautiful car.

1995(?) version not included!

[MrKipling43]

Cara Van Man said:

You can always rely on McLaren to produce a beautiful car.

1995(?) version not included!

[denial]McLaren didn't race in 1995.[/denial]

[chris_w]

I don't understand why they're testing the '09 front wings with '08 rears? Surely the cars will be unbalanced and the data collected of questionable value?

[hostile17]

Sf_Manta said:

That.. doesn't look half bad to be honest

Is that an '09-spec rear wing? Looks too wide to me, so I guess it's an '08 one. It's the too-narrow rear wing that makes the '09 cars look daft, IMHO. Shame, because the McLaren does look rather good in this photo.

[ajprice]

MrKipling43 said:

Cara Van Man said:

You can always rely on McLaren to produce a beautiful car.

1995(?) version not included!

[denial]McLaren didn't race in 1995.[/denial]

I don't know what you mean, thats loverly

[10 Pence Short]

chris_w said:

I don't understand why they're testing the '09 front wings with '08 rears? Surely the cars will be unbalanced and the data collected of questionable value?

I would imagine that they can use the '08 wing as a control, seeming they have a massive amount of data about how it behaves. They can also check the calibration between how their simulations suggested the front wing would affect airflow to the rear and how it actually affects it.

Once they see how the front wing affects the familier '08 rear wing, they can design the '09 rear wing to take advantage.

[stew-S160]

the 09 spec front wing aint bad with the 08 rear wing. just the 08 rear wing is the ugliest thing ever created.

[Jack Blag]

10 Pence Short said:

chris_w said:

I don't understand why they're testing the '09 front wings with '08 rears? Surely the cars will be unbalanced and the data collected of questionable value?

I would imagine that they can use the '08 wing as a control, seeming they have a massive amount of data about how it behaves. They can also check the calibration between how their simulations suggested the front wing would affect airflow to the rear and how it actually affects it.

Once they see how the front wing affects the familier '08 rear wing, they can design the '09 rear wing to take advantage.

As 10 Pence Short says, McLaren are taking a measured approach. They already have a good car to work from, but if they suddenly put different tyres and new wings (front and back) they won't be able to see where the performance gains (or losses) are coming from. Instead, they change the tyres first and test with full 08 aero, then they switch the front wing and go testing. Finally, they can then add the rear wing and compare data to see where the differences in performance lie.

Patrick Head always said that when developing a car, you should only ever change ONE item at a time.

Edited by Jack Blag on Thursday 18th December 13:25

[Ahonen]

Jack Blag said:

Patrick Head always said that when developing a car, you should only ever change ONE item at a time.

Yep, you can find yourself in a whole world of trouble otherwise. Simulation can only tell you so much...