McLaren explain rule impact on car philosophy
McLaren explain rule impact on car philosophy
McLaren technical director James Key believes it is too early to determine whether the new aerodynamic regulations introduced to Formula 1 this season provide an advantage to teams running a high-rake configuration.
Changes have been made to the rear-end aerodynamics to reduce downforce levels, with the most noticeable difference being a triangular cut in the floor ahead of the rear wheels.
Red Bull and AlphaTauri appeared to prosper during pre-season testing with cars that looked happier under power than that of their counterparts, with many believing this is due to their low-front, high-rear ride height setups.
In contrast, a Mercedes team that runs a low-rake philosophy struggled across the three days at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Key has suggested there could be a benefit this year from running a more-raked car but insisted any major advantage has yet to fully reveal itself.
"We have only just seen each other's cars and where people are running them," said Key.
"I guess the two different philosophies will coalesce around something that ultimately works with these regs. We have kind of been a high-rake car but on the medium to lower end of that so probably not extreme.
"I guess you could say that the regulations have had an impact on that but not something that is unfamiliar to us with the way a car with rake in it works.
"Whether it has had a larger impact on cars with a slightly lower rear ride height range I think is difficult to tell because it depends on where you are coming from."
McLaren also impressed with pace and assuredness over the test as Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo became accustomed to the MCL35M.
Key pointed to the car's history of being mid-to-high-raked in set up as a potential plus point in its running.
"We have made modifications to a car that was typically quite raked, so it was based around a certain way of the aerodynamics working on the back of the car and everything that is upstream of that," he added.
"Had we been a team that was running a lower rear ride height like Mercedes for example, the impact could have been different so it is difficult to tell.
"I think things will begin to coalesce as the season goes on and we will begin to see trends emerging."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
EXCLUSIVE: Hamilton engineer reveals top drivers' key characteristic
- 26 minutes ago
Red Bull now pressured into MISTAKES insists F1 rivals as title race heats up
- 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Vettel CONFIRMS stunning comeback as Red Bull boss issues Verstappen statement
- 1 hour ago
F1 fan celebrates Verstappen failure with OUTRAGEOUS permanent change
- 2 hours ago
Wolff opens up on WHY Mercedes are 'very bad'
- 3 hours ago
F1 winner Sainz shares RAW images from surgery and recovery
- Today 09:12
F1 Race Calendar
-
GP BAHRAIN
29 Feb - 2 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP SAUDI ARABIA
7 - 9 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP AUSTRALIA
22 - 24 Mar
Carlos Sainz
- GP JAPAN 5 - 7 Apr
- GP CHINA 19 - 21 Apr
- GP USA 3 - 6 May
- GP ITALY 17 - 19 May
- GP MONACO 24 - 26 May
Related news
F1 team boss reveals KEY Piastri turning point
McLaren announce MEGA deal for key F1 star
Norris escapes F1 jump start punishment thanks to bizarre 'loophole'
Hamilton's former F1 team-mate set to undergo heart surgery
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860