Mclaren already behind pace

Thank goodness. If they were superior, or even equal, at this point the season would be as good as over
They've started off flat footed before and some how seem to recover. I wonder if there isn't something wrong with their sims.

 

Yes but their unveiling was cool!

The lack of testing mileage hasn't helped them either. Testing is already limited, so you need to get when the getting is good....they'll sort it out or will be praying for lots of rain....

I think we will see Williams have made a step up along with renault,, possibly str and sauber also.

 

I think what they need is just a bit more time with the car to understand it's unique setup. Give them a couple races to figure things out

 

+1

or this is F1 politics: lie to try to get an advantage.

 

Yup. They have a very different car which they haven't quite figured out yet. I am sure many things they assumed in wind tunnel testing are not coming to fruition or are unearthing themselves in unexpected ways. Could be Mp24 all over but I doubt it.

 

And you guys honestly believe this?

 

Why not? They were slow at the start of last year and their testing has been lackluster.

Hopefully it continues for the whole year

 

McLaren have a long-standing tradition of downplaying their own car before the start of each season. They will be slow in testing all the way up to the first race, and then magically gain a few seconds.

 

In case you haven't realized, that all changed with Whitmarsh's move to the forefront since he LOVES to talk about new upgrades and how good the car will be. In the media last year he was always blabbing on about new upgrades/how good the car will be/how good McLaren's drivers are while Ferrari and Red Bull did their talking on the track.

 

Agree but a couple of races to sort things out means lost points which can mean lost championships. Need to hit the ground running in F1 now more than ever.

 

We all know Red Bull isn't going to be ****ing around.

 

Brawn showed that.

 

Yes that is the case.

1st or last race makes no difference they all count.

However only a fool would write off Mclaren at this stage.

I can't really glean that much from the testing, however I do know Mclaren have agreed a new partnership agreement with Dassault Systemes – one of the world’s leading suppliers of computer automated design (CAD)

 

And fighter jets.
Hmmm

 

I've said it before and I will say it again:

How many races do you think it will be before they toss away that fancy front spoiler and go with a more conventional one?

I say: 3.

What I find more interesting is that Jenson is whining already about logistical issues: can't get parts to the track, too late on getting the car this year, etc.

A cry for Ron to step back in?????

 

Sucker bet. The one thing that changes constantly is the aero. Particularly the front wing.

I assume that you mean the entire concept though and that may depend on how inter-related the entire design is. These days all the body work is shaped in terms of flow off the front. Make a major change up front and a lot of other bits need modding too.

 

They problably won´t start the season with the same spoiler they used in pre-season testing.

Anyway, if there´s a problem with that car (I doubt it) it´s not in the spoiler: the whole car is quite unusual.

 

A fool like Hamilton who already compared the 2011 car to the disastrous car of 2009?


I'm delighted to hear that the McClonks are already in trouble. Two less cars for Alonso to fight with. Right on!

 

Mclaren is applying a lot of downforce at an area (sidepods) which has never really been an area specific to that sort of duty. The outside of the sidepods are also on the receiving end of turbulent air which might be awkward considering how odd the sidepod outsides are. Most manufacturers try and tether the airflow from the front tires along the side of the sidepods, but that cannot really be done with the Mclaren as easily. This I am sure has a major affect on the tires, which in turn means they are struggling to configure the suspension to an optimal setting. Just my assessment.

 

McClonks. haha. I like it

 

What am I missing? During the ground-effect/skirted pod era a huge amount of down-force was generated there.

 

LOL Well he needs the help "Petrov..Alonso is faster than you do you understand"..

 

From Hamilton's description of the car's handling, it sounds like mechanical grip is good, it just lacks downforce. An updated wing package will straighten that out, I wouldn't count them out so early..