Bigger fuel tanks at Mclaren

[drexel]

It seems to have been demonstrated over the last couple races that the fuel tank on the Merc is larger than Ferarri's. If they can get over their technical problems (which they will), i can see them having a good period in the next month or so, since their speed is no dout on par. The question will be whether Ferarri have made inroads into the problem or if mclaren's lack of fortune has given ferarri a false sense of security.

[Total-F1]

It isn't necessarily that, but Schumacher has a disadvantage in that his driving style uses a lot more fuel than normal, and he has to have a heavier fuel load to compensate - the McLarens may have the same load, but can go further....and at Monaco, DC would have a lot of fuel by being 4 seconds slower than race pace...

[Ed G]

Whether the tank is that much bigger I don't know if that matters so much. TGF was quoted as saying the Mercedes is "less thirsty". Whether it be driving style or not I think that maybe it has something to do with how they have implemented Traction Control. Possibly that they really lean out the engine or reduce the throttle when the TC is in effect reducing the amount of fuel lost on misfires and also reducing the power output of the engine.

I don't remember Maclaren being so fuel dominant in the first races. Mind you the first races were odd in that pit-stops were normally dictated by rain.