Hamilton pays tribute to Ron Dennis:-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/apr/2...-one-motorsport

and here we have it, way to go merc

Please come back HSJ and read this i know it will break your heart


C.Horner
"You've probably still got Mercedes as the strongest engine, but I don't think the Renault gives anything away to its rivals."



EDIT

That said, it could point towards mercedes leaving F1, only wanting to supply engines. On rtl there is an interview with NH where he says mercedes consider their options. One is to continue. One is to withdraw and only supply engines and kers and two totally withdraw. The last one is out of the question, i think though. Best engine on the grid. But the sec. could be an option. They would get great credit no mather which of their teams win the championship.

interesting comment from RedBull ... thought Newey would'nt want to touch a Merc anymore ... hope someone gets that Autosport-Mag and posts some more from that story

What's the difference between continuing and only providing engines+kers anyway ? Stop giving moutains of money to Macca ?

yes that's the impression i got, with providing engine and kers they would even make money and get good credit, i quess

Further, as i already said at the beginning of this year, i dont think we will see renault next year. Theyve lost all their big sponsors, they have a medio car and a teamchef who are the laughing stock on the grid. Reading between the lines in Horners interview he implies it a bit, i think. Alonso then goes to ferrari and kimi stops. Its obvious he doesnt enjoy it any more, sadly.

Well sorry to go off topic, wont happen again.

40% of the McLaren Group is of Daimler AG. So? Do you think they are only investing into their business, not profiting? And who builds their SLR car? McLaren.

The SLR was a total flop.

no it was not, not the best car admitted, but they sold many off it

Not really,
It Drives very well. FYI There are 2 new road-cars cars in the pipeline.

The BBC (I think it was) suggested that the 'cheap' one was intended to be price-competitive with the 911.
So 'cheap' is merely relative!

Commercially, the SLR was a flop. Exotic owners aren't too thrilled with the looks, nor the fact that it had an automatic transmission. Funny, since most exotic owners here drive paddle shifting Ferraris anyways.

Technically, it's an amazing car. I had the pleasure of driving one at our local track, and even though it's as comfortable to drive as a SL, it performs like a Carrera GT (and much much easier to drive at the limit).

That's so moving...

Lewis tells Ron to F*ck himself in 2007.
Then gets him into the Liegate.
And then issues these kind words...

Lewis is the next Schumacher.

Man, that's harsh!

The SLR is a failure. It's not a supercar, it's a super GT.

Well over 600 have been sold and the program is in profit, so i'm not quite sure how you define 'a flop'. The 722 GT is very very nice, however, curiously, has a Motec ECU rather than a MES ECU as it is built out of house.

Useless fact for you.

--verbose please

Congratulations!

Sorry, the car doe's not use a McLaren ECU, but one built by a company called Motec.

where is that car built and why dont they simply ship the ECUs there?

btw: nice to have guys like you around here, makes this board much more enjoyable.

They are built by RML Automotive, and run in a private race series.

The MERCEDES-BENZ SLR McLAREN 722 GT Story

In 2007, Daimler CEO Dr Dieter Zetsche received a letter from the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Owners Club asking if the company would consider a competition version of the high-tech 200 mph road car. Unlike the special edition 722 already released, the 722 GT would not be road-legal. Instead, it would be purpose built for track use and an exclusive new racing series, the SLR Club. Trophy 722 GT.

Dr Zetsche agreed to the idea – but who could realise such a demanding project? Only a racing and road car specialist with its own considerable heritage and proven track record would be able to create a vehicle worthy of association with the Mercedes-Benz and McLaren names.

Mercedes chose RML Group. Based in Northamptonshire, England, RML is a broad-based motorsport and automotive technology firm with over 20 years of experience developing and delivering tailored design, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing solutions to major motor manufacturers and other clients around the world. Its history of creating successful racing cars and high-performance road vehicles made RML the natural choice for this extraordinary project.

Following the delivery of its first SLR, RML's expert staff set to work re-engineering this road going supercar into an on-track titan. More than 400 brand new parts were produced and non-essential components were removed, resulting in a 400 kg decrease in the SLR's total weight.

The standard AMG 5.5-litre supercharged powerplant was upgraded by RML's in-house engine division with a recalibrated electronic control unit, new intake system, and motorsport exhaust. A mechanical limited-slip rear differential and enhanced gearbox electronics were also fitted.

The SLR's already outstanding suspension and braking systems were both revised to provide a greater degree of adjustability, allowing owner/drivers to tune the 722 GT chassis to their own style with precision. Tyre changes were facilitated by installation of a four-point air jack system.

RML helped give the 722 GT an even more distinctive appearance at the same time as refining its aerodynamic performance. The lightweight carbon composite bodywork package includes a front splitter, rear diffuser, side exhaust valence panels, and rear wing.

Inside, the stripped-out cabin is more akin to the cockpit of a McLaren- Mercedes Formula 1 car than a luxury GT. A centre control console, bespoke steering wheel with data and circuit displays, professional radio and video system, FIA-approved roll cage, and Recaro seats are featured.

Only 21 examples of the SLR 722 GT will be built, ensuring its place in the glittering pantheon of Mercedes-Benz collectors cars – and racing history.

MERCEDES-BENZ SLR McLAREN 722 GT TECHNICAL UPDATES:

Engine power 30 bhp over standard (to 680 bhp)
Maximum torque 830 Nm
Acceleration 0-100 kph in 3.3 sec
Top speed 320 kmh
Maximum lateral load 2 g
Rear differential 70/85° with preload
Fuel tank capacity 95 litres
Suspension Adjustable arms, dampers, springs, roll bars
Ride height adjustment +/- 20 mm from static 70 mm
Front brakes Brembo 380 x 35 mm disc, 6-pot caliper
Rear brakes Brembo 355 x 28 mm disc, 4-pot caliper
Wheels O.Z. Racing 18 x 12 in front, 18 x 13 in rear
Tyres Michelin 30/65 18R front, 33/68 18R rear
Dry weight 1387 kg (less silencers)

Well they were supposed to sell 3500 of them, they only sold ~1100 worldwide if I remember correctly (600 in the US). I don't know about McLaren/Mercedes profitability on the SLR project so I can't really comment on that, though I've read that somebody lost money on every SLR made. In the market, SLR's are now under 200k USD in the wholesale market. Most owners get tired of their SLR's fairly quick, and there's not much demand for them anymore, hence the huge drop in prices. That's what I meant by commercial flop.

Good thing for a McLaren fan like myself, I might be able to afford one by next year!

3,500 was not the break even point.

The new cars are being designed and built with less Mercedes input.

Based on numerous reviews, SLR doesn't seem as successful as it should be both technical and luxury-wise.

Which part are you complimenting for?

Lewis dragged Ron into the LieGate, then threated McLaren to break the contract.
He just decided not to bcs there was no one else in the market paying more than his $25 millions already granted.

Why not go elsewhere to spread your stinky product?

[With thanks to hunnylander]

Ps. I should have added, team threads are meant to be for supporters only, not shit stirrers.

I'd love to know which rag you read to get this bull!

ohno ... they are wasted on the racetrack? :/ ... anyway, thanks for the info!

I meant a commercial flop.

As for the MP4-24, will there be any updates for this week's GP?

think some peeps wanted to race the 722gt at nurburging 24 hours

Ouch.

Not that long ago, if the engine had been working as well as the aero they would have had a couple more championships under their belts.

where is that NH qoute from, that doesnt sound like him

Can someone tell me what Mercedes is doing in the stutggart factory ?

from what i know there are at least engine test benchs... or there used to be in the past.

News from F1-Live.

True. Mercedes' poor engines cost us the 2005 Championship, and did not help in 2000/2001.

However, McLaren's own stupidity/incompetence cost them WDC 2007, WCC 2007 and WCC 2008 and probably WDC/WCC 2009.

I think that Max Mosley jinxed the team, by saying that McLaren was likely to repeat as Champion.

The SLR was a sales flop in the sense that Merc originally planned a 3000 car run (or was it a 5000 car run?) over the 7 year production cycle of the car, and came nowhere close to this projected number.

Having said that, it doesn't mean that they didn't make money off the car.

I would also like to add that I like the SLR quite a lot... the Stirling Moss edition is a beast.

depends on how you define flop i guess. while it did not meet its sales objective, it is profitable, is a great car and acts as a 'halo car' to the mercedes brand.

that said, most reviews (and i can only go by reviews, having not driven or even seen one in real life) said they wished the car was a little less mercedes and a little more mclaren. the newer mclaren road cars will have less mercedes influence, but will still be powered by merc.

anyway, back on topic, it will be interesting to see whether HK will be using the new front wing in bahrain.

i find it ironic that there were reports of mclaren running at 17,000 rpm at pre-season testing and having weird engine sounds (remember that video of the drag vs ferrari?); yet 3 races in we are regarded as having the best engine package.

mclaren have a new front wing

That has a hole in the nose and I thought that was banned?

and heikki gets the end of the stick again

They run that cooling hole since the beginning of the season.

The wings and stuff outside the garage are often just for showing to the public, so I wouldn't read to much in it ;)

What's new ?

AMuS says there wont be a DD on the McLaren untill Barcelona but there will be a further evolution of what we have seen on the car in Shanghai. According to Whitmarsh the technicians haven´t found the big time gain of the DD in the windtunnel yet.

The version run in China had a wide middle portion that was lower than the outer parts of the wing. The new version has the outer parts of the wing lower than the wide span middle section.

Obi

I wonder what sort of cooling solution Mclaren will run on their cars throughout the Bahrain event.

Obi

Uhm, no. It's the same wing

Sorry. Your correct.

Obi

How on Earth is it stupidity/incompetence to not have the time/money/resources to focus on 09 when 08 was such a battle? And while I'll agree they could have won the 2007 Championships the 2008 WDC was lost by Ferrari's stupidity and incompetence.

Norbert Haug said they got many Aero-Updates in China. I dont think there will be a big update in Barcelona because they use it already in China.Maybe a little updates but not a big update.

Alonso said it too.