The Final F1 Pre-Season Test :O

They claim they were simulating what this new package will do.

However, that must be the 5th or 6th different excuse now.


edit: delete double "the"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/09/2009 11:24PM by Rodrigo007.

winter testing times mean very little. wait 'till melbourne - be patient!

Well only they know what they are doing.

I think we will see more tomorrow what the mclaren is like if it stays dry.

mika19b Wrote:
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> [www.autosport.com]
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> Look's good to me


I wouldn't get too excited. The way Hamilton was driving for half of last year, those bits will be off before he gets to the first corner.

McLaren get radical with new floor.

The McLaren team has revealed a radical new aerodynamic modification on the MP4-24 in Barcelona, which could explain the team's recent lack of pace in testing; the car, driven by Heikki Kovalainen on Monday, is sporting a new floor which is missing certain parts in an attempted bid to improve airflow to the rear end of the vehicle.

The new device, if successful, should allow the McLaren to increase the number of kilometres per hour that it carries on straights. By cutting out a triangular-shaped section of the floor on both sides of the car, between the sidepods and rear wheels, the design aims to aid smoother airflow which first passes through the car via the front wing.

By cutting out the 'triangle', the edge of the diffuser of the car (aerodynamic device located under the rear wing) is effectively moved backwards, thus allowing greater airflow to the rear wing; with this greater amount of airflow subsequently creating more rear-end downforce, the team can afford to reduce the size of the car's rear wing which, in turn, results in less drag and greater top speeds on straight sections of the circuit.

This new design naturally raised questions in Barcelona over its legality, although F1 rules state that, when viewing the car from underneath, no body work must be visible; this is the case for McLaren and therefore no questions over whether the device is legal or not should apply.

With poor weather conditions dogging last week's Jerez test, the new device could be a reason towards McLaren's distinctly off-colour performances recently, and it is very likely that the mechanics from Woking were very happy to see clear skies in the Barcelona area on Monday morning, which allowed them to gain an accurate reading on the MP4-24's new innovative design feature, and comparisons over previous configurations.


The question is are McLaren trying out this radical approach to help solve their so-called rear grip issues? Or perhaps, as I believe, have had this potentially fantastic idea in R&D for a while now. Could explain why they used the 2008 wing for so long, to simulate the amount or airflow this design will achieve? We can only guess!

I hope the latter case is true but as an experienced McLaren fan, I prefer to be cautious before reaching a judgement.

Barrichello top, last updated 10:49 GMT:

1. R. Barrichello (BrawnGP BGP001)-1:21.665-27vueltas
2. N. Heidfeld (BMW-Sauber F1.09)-1:21.965-69vueltas
3. J. Trulli (Toyota TF109)-1:21.986-29vueltas
4. F. Alonso (Renault R29)-1:22.060-34vueltas
5. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari F60)-1:22.227-29vueltas
6. M. Webber (Red Bull RB5)-1:22.517-29vueltas
7. H. Kovalainen (McLaren-Mercedes MP4-24)-1:22.810-26vueltas
8. K. Nakajima (Williams FW31)-1:22.893-27vueltas
9. S. Bourdais (Toro Rosso STR04)-1:23.039-14vueltas
10. A. Sutil (Force India VJM02)-1:23.170-22vueltas

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RB top and this is his 1st test with the 2009 regs, that car must have some good pace and grip to do that.

times before lunchbreak:

tiempos a las 13:00h 1. Kimi Raikkonen 1.20:314 44 vueltas // 2. Rubens Barrichello 1.20:966 56 vueltas // 3. Jarno Trulli 1.21:326 54 vueltas // 4. Fernando Alonso 1.21:937 58 vueltas // 5. Nick Heidfeld 1.21:965 84 vueltas // 6. Adrian Sutil 1.22:141 41 vueltas // 7. Heikki Kovalainen 1.22:328 42 vueltas // 8. Mark Webber 1.22:381 40 vueltas // 9. Kazuki Nakajima 1.22:517 29 vueltas // 10. Sebastien Bourdais 1.23:039 14 vueltas



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2009 01:12PM by vesuvius.

What the f***k? :D:D:D

You have to check this!

WOAH!! OMFG!!
is it real? could they really implement that into the real f1 car?





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2009 03:02PM by DJSKYLINE.

Lol, awesome ad!

Lewis Hamilton gets his hands on a radio-controlled version of his Formula One car in the latest viral ad from McLaren's title sponsor Vodafone.

The advert features his team making Hamilton's car fully controllable via bluetooth from a Blackberry.

Hamilton is not only made to look like he can steer the car, but he drives it out of the pits and is even seen driving it around a section of the Portimao track at the end.

Matt Bishop (McLaren Group Head of Communications and Public Relations) said: "Vodafone tech is pretty mega. I wouldn't say it replaces the need for Lewis Hamilton, because he's pretty mega too.

"But it's amazing what can be done with a Blackberry Storm and that's all I'm prepared to say about it at the moment!"

[www.autosport.com]

DaiMOn Wrote:
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> What the f***k? :D:D:D
>
> You have to check this!
>
>




great ad! one of the best ones I've seen in the last few years :D

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final times today:

1. Kimi Raikkonen 1.20:314 55 vueltas //
2. Kazuki Nakajima 1.20:907 66 vueltas //
3. Rubens Barrichello 1.20:966 109 vueltas //
4. Jarno Trulli 1.21:182 118 vueltas //
5. Mark Webber 1.21:347 66 vueltas //
6. Nick Heidfeld 1.21:615 124 vueltas //
7. Adrian Sutil 1.21:834 79 vueltas //
8. Fernando Alonso 1.21:937 111 vueltas //
9. Heikki Kovalainen 1.21:991 84 vueltas //
10. Sebastien Bourdais 1.23:039 14 vueltas //
11. Sebastian Buemi sin tiempo 6 vueltas

Raikkonen had problems with Kers after the lunch break and he had to end his day early.

Still no real pace from mclaren but closer than yesterday.

I just wonder how hard teams really are pushing tbh.

Example

2. Kazuki Nakajima 1.20:907 66 vueltas

We was no where near that time yesterday.

what was the temperature like yesterday though? I read it hit 31 today

I feel really confident that Toyota are going to get their first win this season, they are really pushing hard developing new parts and are very consistent and reliable.

What happened to Bourdais ?