McLaren's Dolphin Nose

cmotd · 9 Mar 2011, 00:48 (Ref:2842431)

McLaren have pulled out another new thing at testing it seems, anyone know what it's supposed to do?

http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/13268304

**ScotsBrutesFan** · 9 Mar 2011, 00:53 (Ref:2842435)

Looks like is houses a sensor pack for those push rods, I'd suggests something in relation to measuring wing flex/deflection.

cmotd · 9 Mar 2011, 01:25 (Ref:2842443)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

Looks like is houses a sensor pack for those push rods, I'd suggests something in relation to measuring wing flex/deflection.

hmm, I thought it would have been some new aerodynamic concept. if I saw a bulge like that on a plane, particularly a military plane, then i would think sensors. but on an F1 car it seems a bit over the top - unless McLaren have put some radar guided missiles in their sidepods

ok i just read that it is indeed for sensors to 'help future wing development' ... how disappointing

**bjohnsonsmith** · 9 Mar 2011, 04:59 (Ref:2842479)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmotd

hmm, I thought it would have been some new aerodynamic concept. if I saw a bulge like that on a plane, particularly a military plane, then i would think sensors. but on an F1 car it seems a bit over the top - unless McLaren have put some radar guided missiles in their sidepods

Did you have something like this in mind?

E.B · 9 Mar 2011, 05:19 (Ref:2842484)

Hehehehe. I can just imagine it:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hypothetical comments from McWhitmarsh

As is fairly apparent from the pictures of the car we are having problems with our DRS (Drag Reduction System), and we have come to the conclusion that this issue, plus poor front to rear balance is causing a tyre wear problem, all compounded by the difficulties we face housing the 2011 KERS system and its massive cooling needs.....

**bjohnsonsmith** · 9 Mar 2011, 05:28 (Ref:2842486)

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.B

Hehehehe. I can just imagine it:

Nice.

flor · 9 Mar 2011, 05:33 (Ref:2842488)

this is from last season

**bjohnsonsmith** · 9 Mar 2011, 06:41 (Ref:2842498)

Quote:

Originally Posted by flor

this is from last season

Is that good for a caption?

Teretonga · 9 Mar 2011, 08:28 (Ref:2842533)

Last season the two teams that actually cracked the front wing deal were Red Bull and Ferrari.
It shouldn't surprise anyone that these two teams are leading the rest at the beginninng of this year, especially if the others haven't managed to work it out yet.

Knowlesy · 9 Mar 2011, 09:39 (Ref:2842583)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmotd

hmm, I thought it would have been some new aerodynamic concept. if I saw a bulge like that on a plane, particularly a military plane, then i would think sensors. but on an F1 car it seems a bit over the top - unless McLaren have put some radar guided missiles in their sidepods

ok i just read that it is indeed for sensors to 'help future wing development' ... how disappointing

Yes, I'm gutted it won't be permanent as it looks quite beautiful.

Marbot · 9 Mar 2011, 10:11 (Ref:2842597)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Yes, I'm gutted it won't be permanent as it looks quite beautiful.

I think that it was designed that way on Porpoise.

E.B · 9 Mar 2011, 10:13 (Ref:2842599)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marbot

I think that it was designed that way on Porpoise.

Very good Marbot. I'll pay that.

strider · 10 Mar 2011, 19:17 (Ref:2843518)

McLaren need to sort out their exhaust as a first priority so it stops burning holes in things within about 15 laps.

GolddustMini · 10 Mar 2011, 20:22 (Ref:2843546)

two things spring to mind.......

firstly....

and secondly...

Rory · 10 Mar 2011, 20:27 (Ref:2843551)

The first thing I thought when I saw this on Autosport was, this is a sure sign they will be going to the limit in terms of a flexible front wing.

Quite right too. If RBR and Ferrari managed to get away with it, every aspect of rule bending has to be considered.

TrapezeArtist · 10 Mar 2011, 22:34 (Ref:2843628)

The lump is just an add-on piece over the top of the normal nose, camouflaged/faired by a contrasting colour tape. Full of instrumentation, I reckon.

The "struts" are potentiometers measuring wing flex. We can't see the bottom ends due to the end plate but I would imagine they are attached to two completely discrete elements of the front wing.

Marbot · 10 Mar 2011, 23:39 (Ref:2843693)

Quote:

Originally Posted by strider

McLaren need to sort out their exhaust as a first priority so it stops burning holes in things within about 15 laps.

Maybe they can change it each time they change their tyres?

**bjohnsonsmith** · 10 Mar 2011, 23:42 (Ref:2843694)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marbot

Maybe they can change it each time they change their tyres?

That would be quite a lengthy pit stop,

Marbot · 10 Mar 2011, 23:56 (Ref:2843699)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

That would be quite a lengthy pit stop,

But they would only need one.

cmotd · 11 Mar 2011, 02:57 (Ref:2843727)

Quote:

Originally Posted by strider

McLaren need to sort out their exhaust as a first priority so it stops burning holes in things within about 15 laps.

or convert the heat into steam using a boiler, then redirect the steam up one of button's trouser legs to get him motivated. i don't think there are any regs about steam power in the 2011 rule book

VIVA GT · 11 Mar 2011, 08:15 (Ref:2843792)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GolddustMini

two things spring to mind.......

firstly....

The Guppy plane is now stored at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, about 8 miles away from me here. Mclaren have spent a lot of time there testing their road car, do you think that's where they got the idea from?

cmotd · 11 Mar 2011, 23:44 (Ref:2844280)

wing flex has been completely banned by new regs this year innit? mclaren has said that the bulge is there because the airflow off the front wing is not allowing the movable rear wing to be effective in low-drag mode

**bjohnsonsmith** · 12 Mar 2011, 05:17 (Ref:2844320)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmotd

wing flex has been completely banned by new regs this year innit? mclaren has said that the bulge is there because the airflow off the front wing is not allowing the movable rear wing to be effective in low-drag mode

Interesting; I wonder though why the bulge needs those 'struts'. Do they hold it in place because they look like they can move with the movement of the front wing or they could possibly move the the front wing enough to trim the airflow?

chillibowl · 12 Mar 2011, 17:03 (Ref:2844563)

it reminded me of the computer brain of a cylon raider from Battlestar Galactica. similar colour scheme too. Mclaren are truley evil.

cmotd · 13 Mar 2011, 00:33 (Ref:2844767)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Interesting; I wonder though why the bulge needs those 'struts'. Do they hold it in place because they look like they can move with the movement of the front wing or they could possibly move the the front wing enough to trim the airflow?

ya, maybe they are attached to electric motors that twist them around and the attachment to the wings has a screw thread so the turning motion is converted to a push/pull motion moving the wing elements around?

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