[E90SLAM]

McLaren launched the MP4-26 at Berlin on Friday.
They seemed to copy a hybrid version on air-intake from Mercedes W01 from last year, and had a new version of sidepod intake.

McLaren has unveiled its new MP4-26 car which it hopes will enable Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton to challenge for the title in 2011.

Although most teams ran their new machines in Valencia this week, the first of four test outings ahead of season opener in Bahrain, McLaren held back and rushed to Berlin overnight for the official launch. By waiting as late as possible, the team hopes it has given itself as much time as possible to be ready for the first race.

The new McLaren will run at the second pre-season test in Jerez next week.

The MP4-26 features extensively sculpted sidepods and a novel engine-cover design featuring two air inlets.

"We've seen it in the wind tunnel but this is the first time we've seen it all together and it looks even better in full size," said Hamilton.

"This is our new baby," Button added. "[It's] the car we hope will take one of us to the drivers' championship and the team to win the constructors'. It's beautiful."

http://en.espnf1.com/mclaren/motorsp...ory/39970.html

[KingOfJericho]

You'd think the internet was a new invention with all of these teams putting their website on the cars.

[E90SLAM]

Somehow makes me think internet launch is kinda for the poor team who cannot afford to make bookings to a public mall or plaza.
Even Apple didn't launch their new iPad and iPhone 4 ONLY on internet. People will wants Steve Jobs to show us. (Wish him a speedy recovery)...

[BrokenVert]

I love the way they integrated the intake pods into aero elements. Really unique approace that should give them a bit more stability. Interested to see how Mclaren does this season.


And it makes the car look beefy as hell

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

I love the way they integrated the intake pods into aero elements. Really unique approace that should give them a bit more stability. Interested to see how Mclaren does this season.


And it makes the car look beefy as hell

Wasn't McLaren was blamed for fragile cars? Seemed like they reinforced the sidepods incase Vettel is looking to punch a hole on Button's car again...

[escobar929]

looks great, hope they are able to win it all this year

[BrokenVert]

Wait hold on a sec. Enkei makes the wheels? I thought OZ supplied F1 wheels.

[KingOfJericho]

I thought you could use any wheels you want, so long as they are to spec. I remember the SPEED guys talking about the very innovative wheel design Ferrari had last year since they banned that weird stationary duct that all cars had the year prior.

EDIT: Just did a quick scan of all of the debuted cars and while most do use OZ, Ferrari uses BBS and McLaren Enkei and each team seems to have a unique design. My guess is that so long as the tires fit (they're all the same size) you can use any manufacturer.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Ferrari uses BBS

Is it odd to anybody else that Ferrari, the constructor with an Italian flag on their car would use German BBS wheels instead of Italian OZ wheels?

[KingOfJericho]

Probably the same reason they use a Spanish and a Brazilian driver. They want the best, regardless of origin.

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Wait hold on a sec. Enkei makes the wheels? I thought OZ supplied F1 wheels.

For a certain teams only...like what kingofjericho said....various teams uses various brands...

Ferrari uses certain brand probably because of a better partnership and deals, Italian team doesn't necessary use a Italian oils and lubricants (Shell - Dutch) and wheels (BBS - Germany)...and computers (Acer - Taiwan)...

FIA only restircts the magnesium alloy component, size and weight for wheels, no limit on manufacturer as long as they meet specification and regulations...as described in Article 12...

ARTICLE 12: WHEELS AND TYRES
12.1 Location:
Wheels must be external to the bodywork in plan view, with the rear aerodynamic device removed.
12.2 Number of wheels:
The number of wheels is fixed at four.
12.3 Wheel material:
Wheels must be made from AZ70 or AZ80 magnesium alloys.
12.4 Wheel dimensions :
12.4.1 Complete wheel width must lie between 305mm and 355mm when fitted to the front of the car and between 365mm and 380mm when fitted to the rear.
12.4.2 Complete wheel diameter must not exceed 660mm when fitted with dry-weather tyres or 670mm when fitted with wet weather tyres.
12.4.3 Complete wheel width and diameter will be measured horizontally at axle height, with the wheel held in a vertical position and when fitted with new tyres inflated to 1.4 bar.
12.4.4 Wheel dimensions and geometry must comply with the following specifications :
- the minimum wheel thickness is 3.0mm ;
- the minimum bead thickness is 4.0mm (measured from hump to outer edge of the lip) ;
- the ETRTO standard bead profile is prescribed ;
- the tyre mounting widths are 12” (304.8mm +/-0.5mm) front; 13.7” (348.0mm +/-0.5mm) rear ;
- the wheel lip thickness is 9mm (+/-1mm) ;
- the outer lip diameter is 358mm (+/-1mm) ;
- a lip recess of maximum 1.0mm depth between a radius of 165mm and a radius of 173mm from wheel axis is permitted (for wheel branding, logo, part number, etc) ;
- with the exception of the wheel lip, only a single turned profile with a maximum thickness of 8mm is allowed radially outboard of the exclusion zones specified in Article 12.4.5 ;
- the design of the wheel must meet the general requirements of the tyre supplier for the mounting and dismounting of tyres including allowance for sensors and valves ;
- the wheel design cannot be handed between left and right designs.
12.4.5 No wheel material is permitted in the following exclusion zones :
- A concentric cylinder of diameter 305mm and length 115mm positioned with its inner face lying in the same plane as the inboard face of the front wheel ;
- A concentric cylinder of diameter 305mm and length 25mm positioned with its outer face lying in the same plane as the outboard face of the front wheel ;
- A concentric cylinder of diameter 305mm and length 100mm positioned with its inner face lying in the same plane as the inboard face of the rear wheel ;
- A concentric cylinder of diameter 305mm and length 30mm positioned with its outer face lying in the same plane as the outboard face of the rear wheel.
12.4.6 When viewed perpendicular to the plane formed by the outer face of the wheel and between the diameters of 120mm and 270mm the wheel may have an area of no greater than 24,000mm2.

http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/ru.../8712/fia.html

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Is it odd to anybody else that Ferrari, the constructor with an Italian flag on their car would use German BBS wheels instead of Italian OZ wheels?

Not really. Their main sponsors are Marlboro and Santander, both which are the farthest thing from Italian. They're an Italian-based team, not the Italian national team.

[Chenry135]

The "U shaped" side pods and the center exit exhaust makes this car the best looking in my opinion. Also I'm a Hamilton fan, but that facial hair is god awful... Pencil thin douche-bag beard, really?

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Chenry135

The "U shaped" side pods and the center exit exhaust makes this car the best looking in my opinion. Also I'm a Hamilton fan, but that facial hair is god awful... Pencil thin douche-bag beard, really?

All he's missing are a few tear drop tattoos and his 'hood inked onto his neck.

[E90SLAM]

Jerez Testing Day 1.

[E90SLAM]

Jerez Testing Day 2

[E90SLAM]

Jerez Test Day 3

[FStop7]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Wait hold on a sec. Enkei makes the wheels? I thought OZ supplied F1 wheels.

OZ, Enkei, BBS, and a couple of others.

[Memphis1]

Does anyone know what all the knobs and buttons do on that steering wheel?

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by Memphis1

Does anyone know what all the knobs and buttons do on that steering wheel?

Button for the pit lane speed limiter
Knob for the front and rear diff
Button for KERS
Button for ERD
Knob for fuel concentration
(In previous years they had a knob to control the front wing, but I believe that is gone this year. )
Knob for which type of tire is on the car. (1 setting per tire option)
There may be a button for Anti-stall, to help with launches.

The Mclaren car in particular also has 3 sets of paddles on the back, 1 set for gear +/-, 1 set for the clutch on either side, and a 3rd set that I'm not totally sure what it does.

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by UltimateBMW

Button for the pit lane speed limiter
Knob for the front and rear diff
Button for KERS
Button for ERD
Knob for fuel concentration
(In previous years they had a knob to control the front wing, but I believe that is gone this year. )
Knob for which type of tire is on the car. (1 setting per tire option)
There may be a button for Anti-stall, to help with launches.

The Mclaren car in particular also has 3 sets of paddles on the back, 1 set for gear +/-, 1 set for the clutch on either side, and a 3rd set that I'm not totally sure what it does.

I think there's some scroll button for diff setting or torque...and some for engine map "pre-setting"..."message-acknowledge"...

also some in-depth menu that can be activated with the scroll botton....like menu selection......this is where the "+10" on the left and "+1" on the right is for....like a selection for a certain car setting....to select pre-mapped item "45"...driver will have to press the "+10" four times and "+1" five times.....something like that....

also...don't forget the "drink" button....that might be one of the most important button....

[FStop7]

Wait, KERS is back? Oh lawd.