German Grand Prix 2012, Hockenheim - Race 10/20

~Mike~ · 18 Jul 2012 at 20:29

Duke said:
Mainly new sidepods for Mclaren - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101268 - which I expect will mean improved exhaust area as well.

Just hope these updates improve their performance, otherwise they can right the season off.

CaptainRAVE · 18 Jul 2012 at 20:47

Mike306 said:
Just hope these updates improve their performance, otherwise they can right the season off.

Yup, if it doesn't happen now it isn't going to happen. The other teams will just stay ahead. I just can't see McLaren getting out of this slump - they are consistently "good", but haven't been the best in a long time now.

Mr Men · 18 Jul 2012 at 20:54

Mike306 said:
Just hope these updates improve their performance, otherwise they can right the season off.

Is it ok if I hope not

Mostly worried about Red Bull after the summer shutdown, they always seem to come out if it even stronger.

Alibaba99 · 18 Jul 2012 at 21:34

Mr Men said:
Wonder if they will try the nearly stepped nose, sure someone told me they had it outside the garage at Silverstone but I never seen it on track, agree though that even a small gain could see them leap right back up front as it is so close.

Stepped nose would only be required if McLaren have raised the entire front of their chassis. Not sure they would go through that level of work, including the full crash testing, mid season.

CaptainRAVE · 18 Jul 2012 at 21:35

Alibaba99 said:
Stepped nose would only be required if McLaren have raised the entire front of their chassis. Not sure they would go through that level of work, including the full crash testing, mid season.

They have a semi-stepped nose in the works though I thought?

Flibster · 18 Jul 2012 at 21:45

CaptainRAVE said:
They have a semi-stepped nose in the works though I thought?

How? When the top of the chassis is at the maximum height for the nose, rather than the maximum height of the chassis.

Sparky · 18 Jul 2012 at 21:56

Alibaba99 said:
Stepped nose would only be required if McLaren have raised the entire front of their chassis. Not sure they would go through that level of work, including the full crash testing, mid season.

They have the resource to do that im sure, crash test on a small tub change when you already know the structural integrity of your current tub is not that difficult to pass. Nose test is quite straight forward.

Mr Men · 18 Jul 2012 at 21:58

Think it was Mugello test they had a more stepped nose which was meant to appear in Spain but never did.

Flibster · 19 Jul 2012 at 00:42

Mr Men said:
Think it was Mugello test they had a more stepped nose which was meant to appear in Spain but never did.

Errrr...

They nose cone they tested at Mugello was used in every race from the Spanish grand prix onwards.

It's not as drooped as it was, but it's still not a stepped nose.

http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/24181/7739475/McLaren-try-out-higher-nose

Kenai · 19 Jul 2012 at 07:05

Isn't one of the 2013 or 2014 regs enforcing a max height on the chassis too? In which case it would seem mad to redevelop to a higher chassis only to go back again.

CaptainRAVE · 19 Jul 2012 at 07:15

Flibster said:
Errrr...

They nose cone they tested at Mugello was used in every race from the Spanish grand prix onwards.

It's not as drooped as it was, but it's still not a stepped nose.

http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/24181/7739475/McLaren-try-out-higher-nose

More stepped than it was though.

MooMoo444 · 19 Jul 2012 at 08:47

Stepped nose looks cool, I think McLaren should go for it.

Mr Men · 19 Jul 2012 at 09:21

This was at Silverstone, not sure if just a trick of light but looks stepped.

Skeeter · 19 Jul 2012 at 09:38

Kenai said:
Isn't one of the 2013 or 2014 regs enforcing a max height on the chassis too? In which case it would seem mad to redevelop to a higher chassis only to go back again.

They aren't going to unlearn everything they already know about lower noses.

I've not looked into the 2014 regs, but isn't there a reduction in the height of the nose tip too? So things will start looking more like the Brawn did?

Mr Men · 19 Jul 2012 at 09:44

Kenai said:
Isn't one of the 2013 or 2014 regs enforcing a max height on the chassis too? In which case it would seem mad to redevelop to a higher chassis only to go back again.

Don't think 2014 regs are set in stone, but sure I read somewhere the FIA want rid of stepped noses for 2013 so they are going to make some new rules up as they go

MooMoo444 · 19 Jul 2012 at 10:04

Mr Men said:
so they are going to make some new rules up as they go

They've had plenty of practice with that already

XeNoN89 · 19 Jul 2012 at 12:16

hmmm

Duke · 19 Jul 2012 at 12:21

What the

Skeeter · 19 Jul 2012 at 12:23

Not drastically different to their old side pod. The hole is a removable piece. Unless I'm missing something?

Mr Men · 19 Jul 2012 at 12:26

I assume the fin part goes under the engine cover once assembled.