McLaren

[Rosario Giuliana]

A series of slides illustrating the Mclaren MCL39's rear braking system, where fluid dynamics are used for both cooling and aerodynamics. A separation of internal flows with multiple functions, including controlling tyre overheating by cooling the inside of the rim.

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Hey RedBull - NO water required lol!

 

What F1 rules really say about wildest McLaren brake theories
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/wildest-mclaren-brake-theories-what-f1-rules-really-say/

McLaren's Formula 1 rivals are continuing to scratch their heads over just how it is better able to manage its tyres right now.

The focus is very much on the rear brake system of the MCL39, with McLaren's ability to control temperatures here appearing to pay dividends when it comes to preventing its tyres overheating.

With no obvious answer in the paddock as to what McLaren is doing, beyond the design clues given away by its intricate design, some fascinating theories have emerged about the squad potentially using some clever tricks to achieve its aim.

There were allegations made against it by Red Bull last year about it injecting water in its tyres - but this was strongly denied by McLaren and no evidence of this was ever found.

However, amid the renewed intrigue on McLaren's brakes prompted by thermal images of its brake drums obtained by Red Bull, fresh theories have gathered traction in recent days about it using some trick systems or materials.

One of the ideas that has been widely spoken about is of it using phase-changing material to help control temperatures inside its brake drums.

This could either be through using a component (like a metal strip) that changes shape to alter airflow, or a substance that transforms from a solid to a liquid when it hits a certain temperature - which then limits further heat gains.
The suggestion was that McLaren could be applying such materials on the inside of the rear brake drum to minimise any heat transfer to the wheel rim and tyres - and therefore help keep temperatures under control at the rear.
The theories were fascinating, the material available and the technology certainly interesting.

However, the idea itself falls down when it comes to reality - because, according to the FIA, F1's regulations strictly outlaw it.

There are two specifics area of the rules at play here, although one of these could have grounds for some counterarguments.

The material limits
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The first area revolves around the specific phase-changing material itself.

F1 teams are limited in terms of the materials that they are allowed to use. Article 15 of F1's technical regulations is aimed at ensuring teams do not go chasing hugely expensive exotic elements in the quest for success.

Some specific materials are outlawed, such as metal matrix composites, additive manufactured materials containing beryllium, and 3D fibre reinforcement of polymer composite materials.

Phase-changing materials fall under this area a little bit too as Article 15.4.1b also outlaws: "Shape memory materials except for piezoelectric materials used in electrical sensors."

The regulations classify a shape memory material as one that: "Is configured to move reversibly between two [or more] different shapes when it is subjected only to a non-mechanical uniform stimulus [thermal, electrical, magnetic, optical, etc], or exhibits a reversible phase change when subject to an applied stress.

"For clarity, this does not include consequential geometric changes that result solely from the effects of thermal expansion."

This regulation definitely outlaws the use of any materials that change shape when they hit a certain temperature to alter airflow.

So a metal strip that, when it hits a certain temperature, moves to open and close channels to divert hot and cold air would be illegal.

However, the wording on the type of phase-changing technologies that have been spoken about recently is different - as they are not outlawed in a similar way.

These are referenced as only not being allowed to be used when an 'applied stress' is involved.

This effectively means that phase-change materials can be used if there is a heat stimulus, but cannot be if this involves some form of mechanical stress.

However, this does not open the door to such phase-changing material being used in the brake drums, because there are other regulations that prevent that happening.

Tyre treatment
On a basic level, if a team was to use a phase-change material that turned from solid to liquid that helped cool the brakes and tyres, then it would fall foul of Article 11.5, which states: "Liquid cooling of the brakes is forbidden."

But more significantly, according to the FIA, the article that totally prevents any form of phase changing or other similar sophisticated technology being used is Article 10.8.4 of the technical regulations, which relates to the treatment of tyres.

This rule is clear that the only way tyres can be heated is with blankets.

And it goes on to state: "Any other device, system or procedure [except for driving of the car] the purpose and/or effect of which is to heat the wheels, hubs or brakes above the ambient air temperature, or to maintain their temperature if they are already warm, is prohibited."

It is this catch-all element that would make the use of phase change materials, and any similar system, illegal for the cooling of brakes or tyres in the eyes of the FIA.

So, considering the governing body has already inspected the McLaren brake system several times and seen nothing untoward there, this idea can effectively be ruled out as something McLaren is doing.

An FIA spokesman told The Race: "We believe that the only permitted method of cooling brakes, wheel drums, or tyres is airflow generated by the forward movement of the car."

This means that McLaren's brake advantage comes down to clever engineering, through a likely combination of its unique internal ducting, pressure management of its airflow, and perhaps also it relying on more energy retardation to slow its car and help limit the work its brake system has to do.

It is also important to point out that McLaren's impressive tyre temperature management is also not likely all down to its brake temperatures alone - as other factors such as its aerodynamics and suspension kinematics will have their role to play in helping in this area too.

 

Looks more like a jet engine

 

Its not your biggest problem ----

Lando Norris has turned away from the distraction of social media as the Formula 1 title battle with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri heats up.

"I've not been on social media for a few weeks now," he told British media at Imola ahead of the seventh race of the 24-round season.

 

Please just shut up and drive. You won a contrived literally manipulated race. The critics point out your mistakes and poor race craft and they are wrong? Its you driving not them. Funny as he has been a critic of other drivers. Does he ever think before he speaks..........

Norris lashes out at critics after F1 Monaco GP win: 'Everything you say is crap'

 

Nice and detailed look at Mclaren's rear suspension/design and performance characteristics and how this helps them manage tyres etc:

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/gary-anderson-f1-mclaren-key-advantage-might-be-simpler-than-thought/

Gary Anderson: McLaren's key advantage might be simpler than you think

--The reasons for McLaren's good tyre management continue to be a major talking point in Formula 1. But rather than throwing around all sorts of questions and suspicions, rivals like Red Bull should perhaps spend more time thinking about the contribution of the rear suspension design.

 

I don't think he does. It's my prime reason for starting to dislike him. He often made big words to Lewis and Max in the past, but failed to back any of it up when he's been in the position to do what they've accomplished. Last year after Brazil when he dared utter the sentence ''it's luck, not talent'' really says it all about him.

Mentally Norris is extremely weak (that's not an assessment, he's been very open about this as have the people surrounding him). Like last year, this year he'll fail. He'll have a win here and there, and his fans and himself will use that to prop himself, but ultimately he'll fail. And what I really dislike is him hiding behind his ''mental health''. Don't make statements you can't back up and run for the nearest excuse. Piastri is already deep under Norris' skin as is Max.

His racecraft is weak. I just don't understand his racing...trying to overtake someone and it fails, and he'll just try the same move over and over, hoping that at some point it'll work.

Last year when he had the fastest car he kept screwing it up weekend after weekend. The excuses were the same constantly. Either mental health or Mclaren/Norris not having been in a title fight for a long time hence the screw ups. BS. What's the excuse this year?

Nice lap in quali, undeniable that, but in Monaco, your pole position secures the win so long you don't mess up the first 100 meters of the race (and boy he came close to ruining it locking his brakes like crazy).

 

I understand why they want to push him as the future face of F1. A funny charming Brit that has a nice personality. I get it, he seems like a likeable person.

As a driver, I completely agree with you. He just doesn't have the mental toughness or mental focus to be a true champion. He has plenty of speed, but for the second year in a row, he's had the best car and he's throwing it away. The fact that Oscar is likely going to defeat him is destructive to his career. Bad enough to get beat by Max (who he and everyone else knows is better) in the 3rd best car, but to get beat by your own young teammate. Ouch.

I do sympathize a little bit with him. There are times he's brutally honest and critical of himself and the media and fans crucify him for it. Then there are times when he is confident in himself (or fake confident) and the media and fans call him full of crap. Unfortunately in this game, being ruthless is a quality of the great champions.

 

There IS a simple solution:: Ban everything surrounding the rotor that is not the caliper.
{{it even saves weight}}

 

And deal with the backlash when every driver crashes at 300 kph because of brake failure?

 

I completely agree with everything you said.

 

All champions are ruthless.

 

Even if here name is Ruth ??

 

How did they deal with it before when we could see the glowing disks ??

 

They still had brake cooling.

If you meant get rid of the cake pans that cover everything, then I am in full agreement with you.

 

Not sure Jenson Button could be considered ruthless. But the overwhelming majority are.

 

Pulled from another forum. Rather funny lol

--Cannot remember where I read it, but it seems it cost McLaren about £50 to comply with the new wing Technical Directive. I'll bet they are hugely grateful to the FIA Technical Department that they could delay it until Spain to avoid throwing money away.--

 

They may have to forego espresso at the next race. It’s a catastrophe!

 

Thanks RedBull lol. How's your second seat doing https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1072762/1/guenther-steiner-slams-teams-over-f1-flexi-wing-row-they-handed-mclaren-advantage

Guenther Steiner slams teams over F1 flexi-wing row: ‘They handed McLaren an advantage’
“They complained, but what did they gain? Nothing. They gave the McLaren more advantage.”

Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes complaints about McLaren’s flexible front wing only backfired following their 1-2 finish at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Ahead of the 2025 F1 season, F1’s governing body announced that more stringent testing would be conducted following concerns about the flexibility of teams’ front wings.

Red Bull, in particular, were hopeful that the clampdown on flexi-wings would impact McLaren’s strong start to the year.

Lewis Hamilton, who branded it as a waste of money.

Speaking on the The Red Flags podcast, Steiner batted away Hamilton’s comments while slamming McLaren’s rivals for giving them an advantage.

“This flexi wing, it’s the same for everyone. I think Lewis came out with the comment that all this money was wasted on doing this and stuff like this. There was no money wasted,” Steiner said.

“Everybody went in to develop this one, because you have to make sure that your wing is not flexing. I read somewhere that McLaren, they just put an additional bracket on the wing so it doesn’t bend this much anymore.

“So it was a very cheap fix to get rid of this flexi wing, and part of it was the complaining of the other teams. They complained, but what did they gain? Nothing. They gave the McLaren more advantage.”

Steiner praises McLaren’s understanding
Since introducing a significant upgrade at the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix, McLaren haven’t looked back.

That upgrade package transformed their car from midfield strugglers to regular podium contenders.

In 2024, they secured their first constructors’ title in 25 years, beating Ferrari by just 14 points.

They’re now on course for another constructors’ crown in 2025.

McLaren are already nearly 200 points ahead of Ferrari in second.

Steiner has praised McLaren for how they’ve dealt with the flexi-wing changes.

“McLaren knows exactly what they need to do with the car,” Steiner added.

“If they lose the flexi wing or the effect the flexi wing gives them, they go to the wind tunnel and try to replicate what they had to get the same balance on the car again, you know.

“And maybe you cannot get 100% there, but you get 99.8% there.”

 

Peter Wright worked in F1 from the 1960's to the 1990's, in doing so he helped develop the ground effect era whilst at Lotus under the leadership of pioneer Colin Chapman. The British engineer now claims that the F1 teams are focusing on regarding the front wing cannot be policed by the FIA.

According to Wright, McLaren could be using an aircraft principle where when moving more toward a layered component style of structure build, you can therefore direct the deformation parameters, something Wright is 'quite certain' McLaren are doing.
“It’s known in the aircraft industry that as primary structures go more towards composites, the layout of the plies are used to tune the structural deformation of wings. I’m quite sure they are well into that."
“As you sweep the wing [upwards], the centre of downforce is behind the mounting point. Therefore, it must twist the mounting point. It twists nose up on a racing car, and it reduces downforce. So there are some very clever things going on in that wing structure.”

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/f1-ground-effect-pioneer-says-mclarens-wing-tricks-are-beyond-fia-control-its-genius-and-untouchable

 

His season is utterly defined by them:
Norris says "big mistakes" left him seventh in F1 Canadian GP qualifying

 

Norris hasn't put back-to-back wins together once. He will not be WDC unless he gains consistency in scoring. The odd win is not enough for a title. He might be just ever so faster than Oscar but lacks the consistency of scoring/wins and race craft. I see so many comments about him 'turning it around' by summer etc. How to change his fully F1 now veteran habits, and be more like Oscar. I dont see it happening easily or quickly now.
He went for an impulsive, short attention span move and wrecked his race again.

 

i just saw a article they McLr has some pretty nifty front suspension trick. Somehow it supposedly changes toe between the corners and straights.

 

Until he quits getting himself in foreseeable trouble every race.