4046 replies to this topic

[ar1]

The Renault isn't that reliable, but it is not THAT unreliable. With Honda's failing last year (and doing fine in the Toro Rosso), the common denominator is McLaren. Also, McLaren chose the smallest air openings in comparison to other (Renault) teams, plus burning bodywork and cooling slots being cut everywhere. It is hotter than yesterday, so that could mean more cutting up bodywork.

 

Wasn't the Red Bull the second most unreliable car last year?

[pryanjack]

They cooked the turbo

[smr]

Is there an award at the end of the season for having the most unreliable car? At least it'd be one trophy.

[Ragnar668]

Wasn't the Red Bull the second most unreliable car last year?

Exactly, Alonso had more laps than Verstappen had 2017

[Dennista]

[Muzzyf1]

Tbh I'm not worried for the season yes its disappointing that all this unreliability has continued on and to top it off TR honda pounding around without issues is not great to see.

But I do believe that by Melbourne we will be ok .

This is not a case of an oil tank designed wrong like Honda did.

Anyway roll on to Melbourne

[Frankbullitt]

Turbo went, usually takes 3 hours to change so we should be back on track in Melbourne...

[kumo7]

OK we go from here.

I want McLaren to run operation that is worthy of the team.

[Insane111]

This car was truly forged in the fires of the McLaren swingometer.

[Grundle]

McLaren were foolish to give up the Mercedes engine. End of.

[F1Lurker]

Can people just calm down?

The main points are:

1) Renault has a solid PU. We can see that from Red Bulls running. Also, there is more HP to come in Melbourne—they can turn up more (AMUS).

2) McLaren has shown very good speed in their last stint of their race simulation—So we KNOW that the car is very fast.

3) McLaren's true aero concept is coming in Melbourne.

The situation is way way better than many people are making it out to be. I would not be surprised to see both Red Bull and McLaren ahead of Ferrari.

[Treads]

McLaren were foolish to give up the Mercedes engine. End of.

 

Hindsight is always 20-20.

[FirstWatt]

Guys really? Such a turmoil because of a blown turbo? That is certainly a serious fact, but I'd say it's rather something between Renault and their supplier (Honeywell?)

[Dennista]

McLaren were foolish to give up the Mercedes engine. End of.

Ron's pride got the better of him. McLaren and Mercedes could have been locking out the first 2 rows right now.

Mercedes were sabotaging our engines and Ron knew the score so he had to cut ties.

[Dalton007]

McLaren were foolish to give up the Mercedes engine. End of.

 

They should have stuck with them to see how it would have panned out with a two year contract, then once it was signed, they'd give Honda two years to work on the engine.

 

Oh well... a bit of hindsight, sure, but the decision-making has been a disaster at McLaren for a while now.

[SwedeForceOne]

I'd say give it a couple of races before we decide if it's a failure or not. If it lacks pace and reliability after 3 races, yes - it would suck hard to be a McLaren fan. As of now there is still time to overcome the issues. Remember there are two other teams running the same engine so quite the different situation from before as to opportunities to find fixes. 

[Nicktendo86]

Ron's pride got the better of him. McLaren and Mercedes could have been locking out the first 2 rows right now.

Mercedes were sabotaging our engines and Ron knew the score so he had to cut ties.

It was Whitmarsh's decision to go for Honda engines.

[sopa]

McLaren cut ties with Mercedes, because they wanted to become a championship contender, not just a top 3 team, which would have been possible with Merc. But sometimes the risks you take in business in order to achieve the ultimate goal are so huge you burn your fingers. As the saying goes - you can't jump over your shadow. So there it went. Merc has owned F1 since 2014, and will probably own till 2021, at least.

[Hawkinsk11]

Checks how today is going...

Oh

Well..

I’m calm, I am, really I’m calm. I very calm I’m as calm as calm can be. Mr calm. Why wouldn’t I be calm. Listen I’m calm. How many times do I have to say it I’M BLOODY CALM ..

[kosmos]

McLaren were foolish to give up the Mercedes engine. End of.

 

 

Yeah because that will help to win titles.

[sanchez854]

What was the main reason for last years failed Mercedes deal ? I remember they wanted to get a Mercedes engine prior to Renault

[Osiris]

After a major storm and no internet yesterday, I wake up excited to see how many hundreds of laps we've done these past two days. Alo has 7 today. Damn!

[Insane111]

What was the main reason for last years failed Mercedes deal ? I remember they wanted to get a Mercedes engine prior to Renault

Merc having absolutely no intention of doing it, for one.

[Osiris]

Wish they would allow the teams to have subframes on the back end. Just yank the complete rear off the car and bolt on a whole knew PU subchassis.

[JimmyTheFox]

Quick, someone gif Eric's face on that grey haired bloke in the foreground

 

Edited by JimmyTheFox, 09 March 2018 - 12:47.

[Ham's Cranes Ltd]

Meanwhile, in McLaren's box...

 

[V8 Fireworks]

Welcome to the wonderful (and excitingly random) world of being a Renault customer.

 

 

Renault power units are world class.    

[button_sw]

I'm as disappointed as the next McLaren fan but I think people need to step back, calm down and wait until Melbourne before criticising the team too much.

 

They have had to integrate a new engine into a car designed for the Honda unit, the change of engine was quite late last year so I'm prepared to cut them some slack for the heat issues etc

 

What they have got is a launch car that needs to have some bodywork modifications and probably some reconfiguration of the internal package to help with the heat issues but as they are in Barcelona they can't fix it on the fly other than cut slots in the engine cover, it will require a factory fix I imagine.

 

They have gone super aggressive on the cooling with a tiny air intake and sidepod openings but I applaud them for that, they need to push the boundary's

 

The drivers seem happy and relaxed and the car most definitely has some pace in it so I am quite happy to wait until Australia before worrying too much.

 

What does not help and needs to change is the state of that pit stop video, what an absolute embarrassment and they should have a long look at themselves for that, words should be spoken. If a car is breaking down often the very least the team should be is totally 100% professional and on the ball with everything.

 

I'm disappointed with Torro Rosso's tweets and it's a bit out of order publicly mud slinging to Mclaren, I hope that comes back and bites them on the a**e come Melbourne.    

[aray]

I don't know who came up with it, but such prophetic words.....# Be Brave.

[chessycat]

The problem that arose today, only affects MCL33? As far as I can see, Sainz's Renault has not taken many turns either. Less even than Alonso. And, if I'm not mistaken, all or most of the laps given by Ricciardo are prior to Alonso's break. Any news about it?

[jstrains]

Renault builds shitty road cars as well (actually all French cars require more frequent service)

[MastaKink]

>snip<

 

I'm disappointed with Torro Rosso's tweets and it's a bit out of order publicly mud slinging to Mclaren, I hope that comes back and bites them on the a**e come Melbourne.    

 

Yeah they're not coming off very well in my eyes. I can understand digs at Renault from STR after the end of last year and I can understand digs at McLaren from Honda Racing but the snipes from STR to McLaren are a bit much.

 

They have a works deal thanks to them, be grateful you got thrown a bone and pipe down.

[Mat13]

Guys really? Such a turmoil because of a blown turbo? That is certainly a serious fact, but I'd say it's rather something between Renault and their supplier (Honeywell?)

 

Kindly stop making sense and allow people to demand Eric's head.

[Borko]

BACK ON TRACK

[RichardF1fan]

Well they are getting quicker at changing the engine. That's something positive anyway.

[FirstWatt]

Recently, I saw a tweet from Merc. where they praised the F1 work of their 1500 (!!!!!!!) people.

 

§1. If you throw such an amount of money and people into Engine and Car, there is simply NO WAY a customer has remote chance to beat them.

 

§2. If a customer team is disregarding §1 and on the way to beat them for WCC and WDC, there is an automatic feature that kicks in to enforce § 1

 

Similar laws apply for Ferrari.

 

Somewhat less stringent laws have been made by Renault, however the works team is working hard to tighten them.

 

No such laws apply for Honda, however there are other mechanisms installed to avoid that their works / customer teams will come close to WDC / WCC, first of all the sheer amount of money needed to build even a remotely competitive engine.

[Insane111]

Autosport live text is wrong on how long it took to get back out, 4.5 hours if you please! 

[Osiris]

There ya go....ease it into warm up. Don't go at it straight away.

[MastaKink]

That was a quicker change, good job 

[Showty]

Back on track, Renault still in the pits though.

[Oblivion]

Maybe we are able to make it 100 laps today after all. I think Nando would want to make a proper race sim.

[KongKurs]

Alonso pushing hard now. If he blows the engine, I'm predicting 100+ pages on this thread before the day is over 

Edited by KongKurs, 09 March 2018 - 13:24.

[Osiris]

God I hope that thing is full of gas for a long stint.

[Owen]

Let's see if its short runs or they're feeling brave. #Brace 

[SophieB]

Please use the testing thread to relay what is happening on track and/or your reactions to those things.

[chessycat]

"Alonso pits. 15 laps in the books for McLaren, 98 fewer than Mercedes." (Autosport)
 

With friends like that, so we want enemies?

Edited by chessycat, 09 March 2018 - 13:35.

[Risil]

Please continue the McLaren discussion in the new thread here.

 

I would ask whether this is a record, but given McLaren's previous preseasons, probably not.