2012 F1 Cars Thread -All cars in here!!

freestyla

here launch:
http://www.mclaren.com/page/watch-the-launch-of-the-vodafone-mclaren-mercedes-mp4-27-live-1

Doesn't have ugly nose?

SniperSight

Ha, I like what Jensen said...
"As you can see this is a beautiful car, many that you see won't be, so thats something we've got.":-P
He's not wrong!

Mitch Connor

freestyla wrote: »

here launch:
http://www.mclaren.com/page/watch-the-launch-of-the-vodafone-mclaren-mercedes-mp4-27-live-1

Doesn't have ugly nose?

considering it has been said most were going with the ugly nose simply to fit in the suspension components, it is very interesting that the McClaren has a conventional shape. Wonder how they have done it and what sort of difference it could mean over others with the different shape.

Mitch Connor

Hopefully you can see that image.... never sure about linking pics from twitter.

SniperSight

Ha, nice shot there from Lewis about Schumacher:-P

freestyla

LIGHTNING wrote: »

A nice joke from Lewis:

"We've got bigger mirrors than last year, Felipe will be happy about that"

Btw is there any new regulations about mirrors?

I mean isn't it ridiculous to have a race and not be able to see others behind?

11811

Not bad looking at all. Why the four helmets beside the car? Do they have a second test driver now?

freestyla

LIGHTNING wrote: »

The problem is that due to vibrations and the narrow angle you really dont see much, increasing the size unless it was by a huge amount wouldnt make a huge difference.

I wouldnt be surpised in the future to see a HUD like projection on the drivers visor that shows the rear view using a camera mounted on the roll hoop.

More playstation tech i guess smthg like this must be done soon to resolve rear visibility issue due vibration, and rain ofcourse

StephenHendry

nice looking car, hopefully its quick from round 1.

amacachi

Is it just me that thinks it's a bit plain looking? Obviously the angles of photos aren't fantastic but I can't see anything much that look too groundbreaking.

amacachi

Mwuhahahaha!

Frank Bullitt

Its quite a bit more traditional compared to last years, its slightly boring I feel.

Jordan 199

Gintonious wrote: »

Its quite a bit more traditional compared to last years, its slightly boring I feel.

I though it would look more radical myself. However, I do like the look of the sidepods and the exhaust exits.

The supports that attach the front wing to the nose kind of reminds me of the walrus tusks that appeared on the Williams FW26.

I also spotted something else interesting on the McLaren too.

cocalolaman

Is it just me because from the side view, the area where drivers have their legs and feet is very wide/long.

drink_milk

Comparison between 2011 and 2012 model

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mclaren_26_side_comparison.jpg

Jordan 199

I'm interested in this photo because if you look at the supports that attach the wing to the nose cone, there is a horizontal black piece that goes between the supports, and below that there is a rectangular shape, which looks like air would be funnelled through it.

I'm intrigued to know what it does...

mickdw

It does look like an air duct and looking at the comparision pictures it appears to extend back behind the front wheels and would seem to be focusing a flow of air onto the top side of the floor of the car.
Is it possible that under certain conditions, the airflow over the front wing could change the characteristics or the volume of air going into that duct and maybe that change would have a drastic effect (reduction) on the aerodynamic performance of the floor of the car.
Alot of teams are using/working on stalled front wings. perhaps a stalled front wing would effect the air into the duct and reduce the effectiveness of the floor also.

I guess it could also just be an method of getting clean air to a specific location and perhaps would allow the front wing to be designed to work that bit harder.

I suppose it could be a bluff too.

amacachi

That's something like an idea I had last year that I alluded to, if you could get the air to funnel towards one area up to say 160mph to increase downforce but above that speed to funnel under an area to provide lift instead.

Jordan 199

Here is an article released about McLaren yesterday. Take a look at the first 3 paragraphs.

I think the part myself, Amacachi and mickdw are talking about could be what they are referring to in the article.

Somehow I can see other teams kicking up a stink about this innovation McLaren came up with.

frostie500

Jordan 191 wrote: »

Here is an article released about McLaren yesterday. Take a look at the first 3 paragraphs.

I think the part myself, Amacachi and mickdw are talking about could be what they are referring to in the article.

Somehow I can see other teams kicking up a stink about this innovation McLaren came up with.

I dont think that device/support is anything significant for McLaren at all in terms of a new development path etc. Im nearly certain (99.9%) that they had that feature on their car last year. I'll have a look through some of my photos and see if I can root one up that has it but im certain they have used it in recent years.

frostie500

Ive found two pictures that show the part was there last year so as I said its nothing innovative/new that would cause any issues for McLaren with regards to the regulations.

I cant find a better picture from the garage, I dont have my harddrive handy just my flikr account, so its not perfect but you can see the support quite clearly in the second picture taken at Silverstone.

Jordan 199

Thanks for clearing that up Frostie.

And as for the article I linked above, I really can't see what design innovations on the new McLaren will be protested by rivals.

mickdw

Last years car doesnt have an enclosed duct though. It appears to have a black splitter, pushing air around it externally.

frostie500

Jordan 191 wrote: »

Thanks for clearing that up Frostie.

And as for the article I linked above, I really can't see what design innovations on the new McLaren will be protested by rivals.

If its something innovative you'd have to imagine that its not aero, or at least not an aero part that they would be willing to show to rivals two months before the start of the season. So either its an aero package that they will use in the final test or first race or else its something under the skin that innovative. At the end of the day you can see when the cars are stacked up the new one is quite clearly an evolution not a revolution

mickdw wrote: »

Last years car doesnt have an enclosed duct though. It appears to have a black splitter, pushing air around it externally.

What do you mean Mick by an enclosed duct? I cant see in the pictures anything that show it to be significantly different than last years car, or indeed 2009 when they also were running the support. As I said Ive no idea what it does, only just that they've had something similar for the last few years

Jordan 199

frostie500 wrote: »

If its something innovative you'd have to imagine that its not aero, or at least not an aero part that they would be willing to show to rivals two months before the start of the season. So either its an aero package that they will use in the final test or first race or else its something under the skin that innovative. At the end of the day you can see when the cars are stacked up the new one is quite clearly an evolution not a revolution

I really am interested to find out with what they came up with. I'll just have to wait.

I do remember they came up with an innovative braking system in 1998, the rear brake pedal.

amacachi

frostie500 wrote: »

If its something innovative you'd have to imagine that its not aero, or at least not an aero part that they would be willing to show to rivals two months before the start of the season. So either its an aero package that they will use in the final test or first race or else its something under the skin that innovative. At the end of the day you can see when the cars are stacked up the new one is quite clearly an evolution not a revolution

How would the others cop onto anything not visible though? It'd be several races before they could work it out assuming the stewards found no problem with it.

frostie500

amacachi wrote: »

How would the others cop onto anything not visible though? It'd be several races before they could work it out assuming the stewards found no problem with it.

Fair point. It would take a few months if its something big but with the level of analysis that goes on in F1 you'd have to think that if McLaren are sure that some part, whether internal or external, would give them a significant advantage they would wait til the last possible moment until they use it and therefore have as many races as possible before teams cope on to it. Whether thats in the final test or the opening race of the season depends on the team. Like I said earlier Im just speculating and until we see the car ontrack next week theres not much thats concrete right now

amacachi

frostie500 wrote: »

Fair point. It would take a few months if its something big but with the level of analysis that goes on in F1 you'd have to think that if McLaren are sure that some part, whether internal or external, would give them a significant advantage they would wait til the last possible moment until they use it and therefore have as many races as possible before teams cope on to it. Whether thats in the final test or the opening race of the season depends on the team. Like I said earlier Im just speculating and until we see the car ontrack next week theres not much thats concrete right now

I'm looking forward to seeing what's what and I don't mind a bit of the oul' political controversy in the sport I just hope it's not a ridiculous "racing under appeal" situation or points being docked etc.

Actually just found a picture of what it could be, only really helps if they're already in front though.

frostie500

amacachi wrote: »

I'm looking forward to seeing what's what and I don't mind a bit of the oul' political controversy in the sport I just hope it's not a ridiculous "racing under appeal" situation or points being docked etc.

Actually just found a picture of what it could be, only really helps if they're already in front though.

Class! Its not as good as a triple red shell turtle but its good all the same!

amacachi

frostie500 wrote: »

Class! Its not as good as a triple red shell turtle but its good all the same!

You're just being silly now, moving body parts aren't allowed. :pac:

freestyla

Mclaren was always beter than avarage on a rain, i'm interested to see how's that thing this year.. No more blowing diffuser and rear end of the car is not so streamlined because of mandatory exhaust "lumps"

mickdw

frostie500 wrote: »

What do you mean Mick by an enclosed duct?

This is what we were talking about (highlighted in yellow rectangles)



I dont see this duct on last years car.

Jordan 199

LIGHTNING wrote: »

To my eye it just looks like a device that helps the airflow around the sidepods, nothing wrong with that.

I think myself that they have something interesting coming up and it won't be seen until the opening race of the season.

And in the article mentioned on Eurosport, it the first paragraph it says it will feature "obvious device innovations which could potentially attract protests from rivals."

In paragraph three, it says "there will be technical innovations on the car which will be immediately obvious when you see them."

Jordan 199

LIGHTNING wrote: »

At first I thought it was a device to channel air under the floor but I dont think McLaren would be stupid enough to do something like that.

What do you mean by that?

mickdw

It wouldnt need to be moveable though.

Jordan 199

I think I'll go and get Autosport to get the skinny on the new McLaren and get Gary Anderson's insight on the technical side of it.

I have to say I'm getting excited now with the new cars coming out and testing getting underway soon.

Frank Bullitt

New Ferrari and Force India tomorrow, then a couple more over the weekend, excellent.

Autosport

Cant wait for this season now, it's looking like its going to be a great one, I wonder what Redbulll will come up with

Jordan 199

Autosport wrote: »

Cant wait for this season now, it's looking like its going to be a great one, I wonder what Redbulll will come up with

Hopefully a tortoise of a car

Mitch Connor

Jordan 191 wrote: »

Ferrari have cancelled their car launch.



Hopefully a tortoise of a car

they are still launching it online, just not running it on the track.

Jordan 199

Mitch Connor wrote: »

they are still launching it online, just not running it on the track.

Thanks for that Mitch. Can't wait to see what they have come up with.

Andrew76

Here she is, going with the stepped nose too:

vectra

VJM05
Stepped Nose again

Zagato

You can see how upset the Force India guys look in the photo about their ugly car

The Ferrari drivers obviously refused to be photographed beside their car -and rightly so.

I'll be pretty upset with Adrian Newey if he does this to the RB

hotwhiskey

I'm so disappointed so far how the cars look except for the Mclaren. The nose looks terrible and ugly, i know looks does not bring speed but has a F1 viewer for 30 years now more beautiful cars have won than ugly ones.

It will be interesting to see will Red Bull, Renault, Mercedes and other midfield teams go with the same nose layout. I hate the look of the new noses can anyone tell me why teams have gone with this design. I wish the would bring back were the nose had to be in contact with the front wing.

StephenHendry

the new mclaren is the nicest looking design. don't like the design on the force india or ferrari

vectra

OSI wrote: »

Was already posted, but new rule states that from the wheels forward, the nose has to be a certain distance lower than the cockpit to help prevent cars trying to mount each other.

McLaren managed a design around it.. why not the rest?

They are as ugly as bejaysus :P

hotwhiskey

Ferrari chief designer Nikolas Tombazis defends 'ugly' new F1 car

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97292

freestyla

vectra wrote: »

McLaren managed a design around it.. why not the rest?

They are as ugly as bejaysus :P

Mclaren will be the slowest

I think Ferrari looks nice since it's only straight stepped without lump.
It has also cool looking top fin and curvy end of side pods (where Acer sticker is) :cool:

I guess Caterham and India lower concave nose design should bring more downforce at the front. Now how they gonna manage that extra downforce (suspension, tires..) and how is nose air flow directed around driver to the rear end of car..

amacachi

The step really does look like a barndoor aerodynamically. Ferrari has plenty of carbon fibre between the front wheels so there's funnelling happening there.

I don't "get" the stepped nose but generally closer to the ground is the best way to do anything. If they've worked around the step I'm sure it would be better than having the whole lot too high.

PJTierney

frostie500 wrote: »

It's the camera for the front wing if I'm not mistaken.