Wavy McLaren front wing

[Apexx]

I have not seen a really good shot of this new piece, but it sure seems it might strecth the rules a tad! Anyone have a link to a clear shot?

[SALEEN S7R]

Welcome to the board Apexx!

[Glen]

Try this Wacky looking - as has been pointed out, it doesn't look legal - the lower centre section being wider than the prescribed limit.

[Jukebox]

What's the allowed prescribed limit?

[avsfan733]

i thought they couldn't have more than two elements, or is that the rear wing?

[Jukebox]

Try this link on FIA regs ...McLaren site

I'm sure the Macs designers are well aware of what is allowed and what is not. Got to give credit to the Macs for introducing something bold and radical as opposed to traditional designs.

[Inigo Montoya]

Super cool! I knew Newey would be back with some tricks! Forza McLaren! Where was that picture taken?

[SALEEN S7R]

Originally posted by avsfan733
i thought they couldn't have more than two elements, or is that the rear wing?

Actually I think it is the rear wing as u say, but they are allowed 3 elements I belive rather than 2, not 100% certain though.

[avsfan733]

looks to me like its waving goodby to something...like a red rear wing?

[Jukebox]

It looked really great aerodynamically...every wavy part has it's own definition of allowing air for example towards the undertray of the car that leads to the diffuser, air vents around the suspension built up that leads air through the bargeboards towards the sidepods and more interestingly the makeup of the endplates...very interesting indeed!

[clk-lm]

Originally posted by SALEEN S7R
Actually I think it is the rear wing as u say, but they are allowed 3 elements I belive rather than 2, not 100% certain though.

mclaren ran a 3 element front wing for most of the 2002 season. i think they switched to a 2 element after monaco.

[RaceCarFanatic]

I think that the wing is within the regs. they could be on to something with the curvey elements though. that could give them some higher downforce and grip for the corners. The curve parts would also make the air go over the tires. I like it for being different then other teams and innovative.

[Jukebox]

The air that runs through the endplates are the one that goes over the tyres. Low, medium or higher downforce setups would vary according to circuits.

[DNQ]

It would have to be legal, why would McLaren bother with something they couldn't race with...?

(although we all know Benetton 'tested' but didn't 'race' TC back in 1994 )

[Jukebox]

Coulthard was onboard and the car's number is 5, if memory serves me right last year and year 2001...they used number 3 & 4, while in 2000 their numbers were 1 & 2. So it has to be this year's car.

Funny thing is at Valencia, they tested the car with the 3 wing elements.

[Red]

Originally posted by Jukebox
What's the allowed prescribed limit?

50cm. But actually there isn't a 'wider' limit. The rules say that

3.7 Front bodywork height :
All bodywork situated forward of a point lying 330mm behind the front wheel centre line, and more than 250mm from the centre line of the car, must be no less than 100mm and no more than 300mm above the reference plane.

I'm quite sure that Mac's front wing meets the requirements.

(that was from last year's techreg. FIA hasn't yet published on their site the 2003)

[Jukebox]

Thanks for the more detailed info Red...now it makes me more eager to wait for the 2003 Mac's launch

[The_Z_Man]

Originally posted by Inigo Montoya
Super cool! I knew Newey would be back with some tricks! Forza McLaren! Where was that picture taken?

Last week, during their 2 day private session in Barcelona, when they were simulating a GP week-end simulation.

The_Z_Man

[Glen]

I was referring to the limit for the bit of the front wing that is allowed to be lower than the nominal minimum. Like the old Jordan wing, which had a very low centre section and then rose up at the sides so that the bulk of the wing rides at the 100mm limit.

[The_Z_Man]

My post should read "Last week, during their 2 day private session in Barcelona, when they were performing a GP week-end simulation."

The_Z_Man

[Red]

Yes, the part of the wing that is allowed to be lower is 25cm on both sides of the center line. But in Mac's case it might be that the entire 'wavy' part of the wing is above that limit. It's not clear from that pic, but I suspect that this is the case. They surely wouldn't breach any rules... at least not so blatantly..

[av8rirl]

Is it a RED herring???

[Glen]

Originally posted by Red
Yes, the part of the wing that is allowed to be lower is 25cm on both sides of the center line. But in Mac's case it might be that the entire 'wavy' part of the wing is above that limit. It's not clear from that pic, but I suspect that this is the case. They surely wouldn't breach any rules... at least not so blatantly..

That must be it Red - but would that mean that the ends are higher than they could be? Probably just optical illusion.

[RWC]

They could be just testing the rest of the car with an illegal wing just to prove where they should try to develop next(like they do with hybrid cars).But as most have said,it prob does meet the rules anyway-even though that lower section really does look wide doesn't it!

[Red]

Yes, it looks like they're higher... :confused: on the other hand, it looks like they fold a bit toward the ground. Anyway, could be a red herring as I can't find a reason why would they not want to use the minimum height, at least for several . But of course I'm not Newey, so he might actually see advantages...