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 Formula One Team Association (FOTA) has announced their intention to withdraw from the Formula One Championship at the end of the season and create their own championship series for 2010. FOTA is comprised of Brawn GP, McLaren, Renault, Ferrari, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Red Bull and Toro Rosso. FOTA has been frustrated by recent budget cap proposals of £40 million and a general disregard of the team’s opinions by the FIA.
In last Sunday’s Australian Formula 1 race, Toyota’s Jarno Trulli finished the race in the third. He was later penalized 25 seconds for an alleged illegal pass of Lewis Hamilton while the safety car was out. McLaren was responsible for filing the complaint. The Trulli’s penalty pushed Hamilton into the third position, a very impressive finish especially considering Hamilton started at 18th on the grid.
