Spanish Grand Prix 2012, Catalunya - Race 5/20

Just had a look at the few photos of the McLaren 'lump' on the nose from this morning.

The McLaren tub at the front, where it attaches to the nose section, is not at the maximum hight that is allowed (625mm, maybe?). It has been like this for a number of years. This lump shows how much lower than the maximum height it is, looks a good 20-30mm. It can't be any higher than the maximum tub height as they wouldn't be able to run it at a race weekend.

There is no real purpose to this lump than to give the driver an impression of what a view down a higher tub might look like. To me this is not just something they are looking at for next year (if it was, why bother bringing it to a track, just use it in a simulator, etc). To me this is something they are looking at for now. It seriously suggests that McLaren are going to be evaluating a new tub with a front end at its highest limit at some point soon.

Fugly stepped nose McLaren by the Summer break, I reckon. Or at least straight after. There is always the possibility that they evaluate it and go back to the low nose though.
 
Skeeter said:
Just had a look at the few photos of the McLaren 'lump' on the nose from this morning.

The McLaren tub at the front, where it attaches to the nose section, is not at the maximum hight that is allowed (625mm, maybe?). It has been like this for a number of years. This lump shows how much lower than the maximum height it is, looks a good 20-30mm. It can't be any higher than the maximum tub height as they wouldn't be able to run it at a race weekend.

There is no real purpose to this lump than to give the driver an impression of what a view down a higher tub might look like. To me this is not just something they are looking at for next year (if it was, why bother bringing it to a track, just use it in a simulator, etc). To me this is something they are looking at for now. It seriously suggests that McLaren are going to be evaluating a new tub with a front end at its highest limit at some point soon.

Fugly stepped nose McLaren by the Summer break, I reckon. Or at least straight after. There is always the possibility that they evaluate it and go back to the low nose though.
Click to expand...

Now that would be surprising! I'll need to go and buy a hat to eat if they do that... :p
 
Skeeter said:
Just had a look at the few photos of the McLaren 'lump' on the nose from this morning.

The McLaren tub at the front, where it attaches to the nose section, is not at the maximum hight that is allowed (625mm, maybe?). It has been like this for a number of years. This lump shows how much lower than the maximum height it is, looks a good 20-30mm. It can't be any higher than the maximum tub height as they wouldn't be able to run it at a race weekend.

There is no real purpose to this lump than to give the driver an impression of what a view down a higher tub might look like. To me this is not just something they are looking at for next year (if it was, why bother bringing it to a track, just use it in a simulator, etc). To me this is something they are looking at for now. It seriously suggests that McLaren are going to be evaluating a new tub with a front end at its highest limit at some point soon.

Fugly stepped nose McLaren by the Summer break, I reckon. Or at least straight after. There is always the possibility that they evaluate it and go back to the low nose though.
Click to expand...
They are not going to change to a complete new tub mid season. No way. Thats essentially creating a B-spec car

I think they will simply go for a higher chassis next year.




Anyway what's everyone's winner prediction for the race?


I think we will have another driver who hasn't won this year, and if the long run pace we saw today is anything to go by I would say Lewis or Kimi!
 
Skeeter said:
Fugly stepped nose McLaren by the Summer break, I reckon. Or at least straight after. There is always the possibility that they evaluate it and go back to the low nose though.
Click to expand...

Careful, you've almost covered all angles! Next you'll be referring us to your posts you made 3 months prior and how right you were, a dangerous path for any member.

I don't see it personally. It would be rather hypocritical of McLaren to introduce a proper step.
 
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99512
jenson button said:
"It was a good afternoon, but a tough one, trying to understand the tyres," said Button. "And we still don't quite understand them, but the car seems to be work well on the soft tyres.

"On the hard tyre I just can't get it working. I just can't get the temperature into the tyres. I don't know why it is but it's something we need to sort out for Sunday."
Click to expand...
Q: What will be the biggest question that needs to be answered this year in order to be able to win the world championship?
lewis hamilton said:
LH: In my eyes it is on how you are able to manage your tyres. When you do your first laps the car feels great and you have good grip on the rear. But after a few laps the car starts oversteering and you constantly work on prolonging the life of your tyres. You try not to brake too late and under-rotate the rear tyres, and not to wheel-spin on the exits of the corners and minimize the oversteer moments. It is a little bit frustrating, as you do not have as much fun in the car as you want to have.
Click to expand...

i wish schumacher would stop whining about these tyres!

i like how sky were ****ging schumacher off the other day.... lets see how they are now lewis and button have started beeing vocal about them...

nando and vettel have basicly said they understands michaels concerns aswell
 
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Ello everybody! :)

Won't be here for qualy, helping out with a charity football match tomorrow, see yer all for the race! Make sure everyone washes their hair for a suitable amount of time! :D
 
Button said:
"On the hard tyre I just can't get it working. I just can't get the temperature into the tyres. I don't know why it is but it's something we need to sort out for Sunday."
Click to expand...

Pretty obvious really, you can't drive hard enough to put heat into them because then they'll degrade at a faster rate. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Drivers are going around the track as if they're walking on eggshells.
 
old

Screenshot2012-05-12at101412.png


new

Screenshot2012-05-12at100954.png



just thinner and ends higher up.

prob explains why the drivers say they cant tell the difference.
 
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