Ferrari was first with the F60, then Toyota with the TF109, now McLaren has introduced their new 2009 Formula 1 car to the world, the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24. Judging from the pictures, Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen look very happy with the design of the new car with huge smiles all around. As expected, the look of the car is very similar to the Ferrari F60 and Toyota TF109. A side-by-side comparison of the MP4-24 and last year’s McLaren F1 car may leave you believing that they are taking a step in the wrong direction aesthetically. Don’t blame McLaren. Channel all your rage towards the regulations. Let’s just hope the sacrifice in looks is forgotten as soon as the boys hit the track.
Aerodynamics
This year’s aerodynamic regulations were framed by the FIA and the Overtaking Working Group (helmed by Vodafone McLaren Mercedes engineering director Paddy Lowe, Ferrari’s Rory Byrne and Renault’s Pat Symonds) which met throughout 2007 in order to address the issues affecting passing in Formula 1.
The OWG’s influence can be most clearly seen around the front wing, which has been widened, and the rear wing – which is now more compact. Other factors affecting aerodynamics include the banning of ancillary appendages, the addition of driver-adjustable front-wing flaps and a heavily revised diffuser.
KERS
The MP4-24’s KERS device has been developed in collaboration with McLaren and Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines, which has been developing and refining the system for almost two years. The device enables the car to recover energy under braking, store the energy for a lap and release it when the driver presses a button on the steering wheel.
With a fully optimised KERS device’s output capped at 400kJ (discharging 80bhp boost for 6.7s per lap), the development team’s primary focus has already shifted to further improving the unit’s integration within the chassis in order to minimise performance loss elsewhere within the package.
An optimised KERS package can be expected to deliver a 0.3-0.5s gain per lap.
Winter test programme
With in-season track testing now prohibited, the MP4-24 will undergo an intensive winter programme at the following venues prior to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 29:
| Jan 19-22 |
Portimao |
Group test one |
| Feb 10-13 |
Jerez |
Group test two |
| Mar 1-4 |
Jerez |
Group test three |
| Mar 9-12 |
Barcelona |
Group test four |
| Week 12 |
Private test ahead of transportation to Melbourne |
|
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
| Chassis |
McLaren moulded carbon fibre/aluminium honeycomb composite incorporating front and side impact structures. Contains integral safety fuel cell |
| Front suspension |
Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement |
| Rear suspension |
Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement |
| Suspension dampers |
Koni |
| Electronics |
McLaren Electronic Systems control units incorporating electronics for chassis, engine and data acquisition. McLaren Electronic Systems also supplies the electronic dashboard, alternator voltage control, sensors, data analysis and telemetry systems |
| Bodywork |
One-piece engine cover and sidepod covers. Separate floor section, structural nose with integral front wing |
| Tyres |
Bridgestone Potenza |
| Radio |
Kenwood |
| Race wheels |
Enkei |
| Brake calipers |
Akebono |
| Brake master cylinders |
Akebono |
| Batteries |
GS Yuasa Corporation |
| Steering |
McLaren power-assisted |
| Instruments |
McLaren Electronic Systems |
|
|
| Engine |
|
| Type |
Mercedes-Benz FO 108W |
| Capacity |
2.4 litres |
| Cylinders |
8 |
| Maximum rpm |
18,000 (FIA regulatory limit for 2009) |
| Bank angle |
90° |
| Piston bore maximum |
98mm (FIA regulation) |
| Number of valves |
32 |
| Fuel |
Mobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel) |
| Lubricants |
Mobil 1 – for higher performance, lower friction and better wear resistance |
| Weight |
95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight) |
|
|
| Transmission |
|
| Gearbox |
Seven forward and one reverse |
| Semi-auto |
Yes |
| Driveshafts |
McLaren |
| Clutch |
Hand-operated |
Source: McLaren.com
The Brawn GP debut in Melbourne, Australia couldn’t have been any better. The team finished the race taking the top two spots with Rubens Barrichello finishing 2nd and Jenson Button winning the race from pole. There is still a great deal of controversy regarding the diffusers used by the Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota teams. Ferrari, Red Bull and Renault protested the use of the diffusers stating they were illegal. The race stewards dismissed these claims and decided the diffusers were acceptable according to FIA regulation. It is believed that the protesting teams will follow up with their previous complaint claiming that while the diffusers are technically legal according to the regulations, they violate the “spirit” of the rule.
The Scuderia Ferrari F60 is here, and it definitely has an updated look. Many of these changes have been mandated by the new regulations put into place by the FIA.
