Helsingin Sanomat F1-writer said that traction problem can be seen visually and heard by different gear changing times. (by comparing Mclaren to other cars going in and out of corner)

Rear wheel covers.

can actually see wheelspin - friggin remarkable

I may seem too optimistic, but I have to add, the diffuser with an infill (which wasn't there in Portimao, and may cause decrease in downforce, hence decrease in traction) also can can be seen visually. What a coincidence.

From a standing start? The diffuser doesn't really start working until there's considerable airflow, so the way the mclaren bogs down at the start points to more than just a dodgy diffuser.

Different fuel loads, different reaction times, different development states, different approaches to the start practice by the drivers, etc...

Ferrari 1.5 test days to go.
McLaren 5.5 test days to go.

Rearwing

http://premium.f1-live.com/f1/photos-hires...7/diapo_168.jpg

With regards to traction - I seem to remember at this point last year, McLaren were rated in some places as the worst in terms of traction off the start. That was just about the only worry back then though...

Beautiful car. If only it was quick. :\

femi said everything will be fine at the end of the week (= tomorrow), so we can easily expect McLaren to break into the `19

Ferrari: 0 to go.
McLaren: 1.5s to go.

with 4 days, 1.5s is a lot to make up...

True, but at least there's still a tiny little ray of hope to grab hold of, don't deny us that!

I believe he would be referring to what James Allen was talking about. Getting onto the corner 40 m later then other cars.

edit - corner = power

if it were that simple


i dont think mclaren have had a q2 simulation run in barca yet either

I think now might be the time to crack open the Miracle Diffuser™ that all McLaren fans are praying for.

I think they are currently lacking about seven tenths a lap. Stint times yesterday looked consistent so I don't see them chewing up rear tyres as they might if they were lacking rear end grip. I'm hoping they've got something sitting in the garage that's worth a second a lap.

I think we will now by tomorrow afternoon in all honesty. I may well start to panic if Hamilton is still propping up the time sheets come five o'clock tomorrow.

I think you`re right. It`s wednesday, conditions are perfect ...

It`s business time!

;)

McLaren is in deep s...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihr4yGRMYpo&feature=channel

I don't know its miracle factor, but I'll be as staggered as Sam Michael if McLaren changes nothing on its diffuser. Why the heck is that additional infill panel there otherwise, which wasn't there at the debut and on the first test, and the experts say it decreases d/f?

Till now they used that a lot, so obviously they keep it for a while to compare new updates on the car to the former versions (floor, top body, etc.). They're adding stuff step by step, and carefully testing them to confirm their values. If a new diffuser is exist to come, I'm sure that's handled as the top secret weapon, so will be introduced quite late, from the fan's point of view.

if u actually think a grand prix start is gonna be that bad for merc....you guys need to chill with the giddiness

don't look at it in isolation, look at what is being said everywhere about a possible problem with rear traction, this is just another bit of the puzzle

Maybe Ferrari was using KERS and McLaren no. :\

Indeed but those guys don't give credance to the team's suggestion that they almost certainly haven't run the full 2009 package yet - and that the car's design is horribly compromised without it.

But if the car is horribly compromised (as you say) why are we running with it like that? what is being achieved?
I know we don't have all the facts at our disposal but looking from the outside in, it all points to a poor performance to date IMO.

If that's a true indication of form we might as well start from the pitlane. Slow starts like that are dangerous.
On the other hand, if we don't find pace we'll start at the back anyway and get overtaken by the safety car.

Where has that been suggested ?

Apologies if this has been posted. This is the same person who called Heiki Lewis the other day.

But I don't imagine she would pluck this out of thin air, it could be a bit of Chinese whispers though. People in the paddock could be speculating based on nothing but guesses, so you have to take things things with a grain of salt.

http://twitter.com/leemck

I can't deal with the rollercoaster of emotion that is the perceived performance of the MP4-24, any longer.

I am going to assume it to be a lemon, anything better than that come race day will be a bonus.

Given the performance to date, it's all looking horribly plausible.

Oh no, that 0.3 % won.



So what?

Imagine McLaren leading the wrong end of the grid come Melbourne, with all customer cars in front.
Mercedes and the sponsors will be all but pleased. How could a cock up like this happen with all our facilities and simulators?

I would laugh if the simulator is to blame.

Imagine McLaren is exactly 0.6s behind top runners

If there's a major design flaw, that (computer-assisted simulations) and the wind tunnel are to blame.

Is the question that has made me believe that there is no fault with the car throughout testing. I just could not fathom how all these resources, including the design staff, could have conspired to produce a car that doesn't work (as well as it should)? Doesn't make any sense. SOMETHING should have picked up on it, surely?

There's only so much that sheer belief can do though. Eventually, you need evidence. All the evidence we seem to be getting suggests problems. Quite possibly big ones.

So then, I echo the first question: how could this happen?

Not really is it? The Ferrari had plenty of time to plan avoidance.

Looks like the MP4 24 wont have to worry about starting infront of the Ferrari anyhow.

f1today.nl

Teams both big and small have designed cars that just didn't work on the track even though the design numbers looked great. Williams, Honda, Renault and even McLaren have had issues in the last few years.

With the big changes this year I think it was bound to happen that at least one team went in the wrong direction

See, I could understand the wrong direction - choosing a design, building it, thinking you're going great, only to then get to the track and be slow...if they were still achieving the laptimes they expected, just everyone elses expected times were better, and they were achieving them too. Being fed dodgy info from your much vaunted simulation facilities however...it just doesn't seem like it should happen. I guess it does though, strange for it to be McLaren.

Yeah that makes sense. Sandbag and then tell the press about it.

if only mclaren had listened to us armchair experts, we said from the beginning that the concept off the car was off, compared to toyota and ferrari, which both quite obviously moved the weight forward
Now even norbert admits problems, in bild. So all theese ressources and we still managed to f... up and then they start speaking bs to the press just like in the old days its so fu..... irritating

I wonder if the floor cut-outs at the rear will be stuck on the front wing?

It's going to be Ok. The car is fast and reliable and in Melbourne will be easily on the pace. You guys just have to stop all this nonsense

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73672

Dont forget the CoG is too high due driver seat being mounted so high

Mmm so is that good because it's supposed to be this late, or bad because the Melbourne package is on the car today and there is no miracle diffuser to come?

I'm wondering if they've actually managed to shift too much weight forward, though that seems unlikely.

Do I copy that correctly, they are running their final aero right now, since today (or even yesterday)?

Oh dear...