KR's Engine change...Necessity or Strategy?

F1Pete · 24 Apr 2004, 13:45 (Ref:950130)

Another engine change for Kimi's McLaren. Speedvision reported that it may be a strategy issue. Will a higher strung race spec engine be any better while starting from the back? This is what Ross B. was referring to when he commented on the engine rules.

Again, I wanted to puke after watching McLaren's performance. Every race weekend I TRY to be optimistic, but it seems that McLaren's problems are far worse than I will ever want to admit to. Oh well, I guess I can only HOPE for KR to win the race from the back.

Kicking-back · 24 Apr 2004, 13:48 (Ref:950133)

It was definitely necessity.

You wouldn't do that by choice.

Things will get better - and McLaren will be at the front again, but it'll take a while to sort out.

Keep the faith, man.

ralf fan · 24 Apr 2004, 13:50 (Ref:950137)

Necessity... i dont think they throw 8th or 9th on the grid for a better engine starting last!!

Gt_R · 24 Apr 2004, 14:01 (Ref:950145)

Necessity..Mclaren seem to already decide to change the engine BEFORE the quals, and ran the car just to season the tyres abit.

GP Racer · 24 Apr 2004, 16:06 (Ref:950208)

Non-necessity.

If Kimi had qualified 8-10th, chances are he wouldn't pass any of the better cars on a track like Imola. But start from the rear with a hotter engine, and you'll be able to pass quite a few of the back-markers, and maybe get a decent mid-field finish, there-by making yourself look pretty good.

McLaren are desperate right now, and are looking for any way to look good, and get Kimi a finish.

Brawn has a point...

enemy-ace · 24 Apr 2004, 19:26 (Ref:950315)

So considering he finishes, which isn't a given with any of the curent merc engines, he either starts mid-field and finishes mid-field or he starts last and finishes mid-field. Interesting strategy!

I think it was out of neccessity. let the mechanics pore over the engine before it has to race.

Armco Bender · 24 Apr 2004, 19:29 (Ref:950317)

Hard to see the McLaren Turtle getting to the finish before the Merc BBQ's itself.

gi_gav · 24 Apr 2004, 19:41 (Ref:950319)

forgive the ignorance, but how different is the race day engine spec going to be?

jj2728 · 24 Apr 2004, 19:59 (Ref:950332)

Quote:

Originally posted by Kicking-back
Things will get better - and McLaren will be at the front again, but it'll take a while to sort out.
[/B]

i'd say it'll take until next season the way things are going for them now....they haven't looked this bad in quite some time...

slicktoast · 24 Apr 2004, 20:18 (Ref:950349)

Sad for Kimi, but I think the macaroon is gonna blowout it's coconut again in the race.

pirenzo · 24 Apr 2004, 21:11 (Ref:950406)

oh come on!
How the hell is starting from the back of the grid "good strategy"

Jordi · 24 Apr 2004, 23:25 (Ref:950478)

Ditto, pirenzo...

Still, 1995 and 1996 were still worse than this. At least the car was uglier back then!

Gt_R · 25 Apr 2004, 02:06 (Ref:950555)

Isn't is supposed to be better after coming back to Europe AND have a 3 week break to sort out the problems?

Mclaren ought to sack everyone and then hire the whos and whats of BAR!

Did BAR and Mclaren switch sides????

ysofast · 25 Apr 2004, 02:23 (Ref:950561)

My guess is the telemetry said the motor was not going to make it. No way would they put a 400 mile lump in when the 800 mile motors all blow up by 150! Even changing fuel strategy would make an already midfield performer fight through the pack and hope to make gains when the rest started to pit.

**GTRMagic** · 25 Apr 2004, 02:53 (Ref:950567)

Quote:

Originally posted by gi_gav
forgive the ignorance, but how different is the race day engine spec going to be?

Its brand new... so should be a little further away from blowing up than an engine with a couple of hundred kliks of practice and qualifying aboard

I loved the cartoon in Autosport a couple of weeks ago, Schuey and Rubens showing some grills they have over their air intakes in Bahrain... Rubens has a fine one, and says its to keep out the sand... Schuey has a bigger one... says its to keep out Merc engine bits... with a pic of a car and a "boom" blowing up in the background....

**GTRMagic** · 25 Apr 2004, 02:57 (Ref:950568)

Quote:

Originally posted by Gt_R
Isn't is supposed to be better after coming back to Europe AND have a 3 week break to sort out the problems?

Mclaren ought to sack everyone and then hire the whos and whats of BAR!

Did BAR and Mclaren switch sides????

I was thinking more about how much the Ilmor Honda IRL program was absorbing resources, especially when the 3 Litre engine is now in force for Indy and beyond... that must be sucking some of the lifeblood out of the Merc program!!

ysofast · 25 Apr 2004, 03:03 (Ref:950570)

Quote:

Originally posted by gi_gav
forgive the ignorance, but how different is the race day engine spec going to be?

I thought it had more to do with mass of pistons and other key parts that effect reciprocating mass and durability. If you dont have to use it to qualify it only needs to go half as long.(and can rev a bit higher)

mark_l · 25 Apr 2004, 04:32 (Ref:950589)

I thought it had more to do with mass of pistons and other key parts that effect reciprocating mass and durability. If you dont have to use it to qualify it only needs to go half as long.(and can rev a bit higher) [/QUOTE]

It will still go BANG before 20 laps are done.

300kph · 25 Apr 2004, 05:03 (Ref:950601)

Quote:

Originally posted by Gt_R
Isn't is supposed to be better after coming back to Europe AND have a 3 week break to sort out the problems?

Mclaren ought to sack everyone and then hire the whos and whats of BAR!

Did BAR and Mclaren switch sides????

I think the Mc problem is huge that it may take them the whole season to get back to competetiveness because it seems to me that they need a completely new car..

anyway, back to the thread, I think it is a necessity....they might be mounting a new engine different from DC......which has just arrived?

105octane · 25 Apr 2004, 05:09 (Ref:950604)

Think how Montoya will be feeling guys.

RWC · 25 Apr 2004, 05:35 (Ref:950608)

No there is no strategy going on here :lol:

The merc engineers found a problem exaust valve seat (by telemetery? imressive!) and they don't admit such problems lightly

**GTRMagic** · 25 Apr 2004, 05:46 (Ref:950609)

Exhaust valve seat? Ah.. when the piston hit it at 18,000+rpm it detonated

Heebeegeetee · 25 Apr 2004, 08:17 (Ref:950665)

I enjoyed the quote in a report on the Bahrain GP, which said "McLaren started from the pit lane to optimise Kimi's engine. It remained optimised for precisely 9 laps."

fast95pony · 25 Apr 2004, 08:27 (Ref:950672)

Could they not go to their local dump and pick out an engine from last year ??

BootsOntheSide · 25 Apr 2004, 10:50 (Ref:950782)

This year, engines need to run for the entire weekend, not jsut the race (otherwise the 10-place penalty is imposed, whcih would've happened here), so last year's engines aren't of use for the whole weekend, as they weren't optimised to last. However, they may have put last year's engine in now, as they know that it's generally relaible and proven for pace.

The advantage to starting last, as well as having a fresh engine, is that they canf uel the car up as much as they like, and could be better placed if it rains. However I think in this case I think they knew the engine in teh car was likely to fail, and decided that at lest this way he has the chance to survive and pick up points.

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