For China, a slightly revised front brake duct configuration. Their ovoid shape, pointed towards the bottom, aids efficient cooling while also reducing the turbulence caused by airflow close to the wheel's inner edge. The small horizontal section at the base of the duct (red arrow) acts like a...
Arguably the most aerodynamically efficient car of 2005, the MP4-20 has sported even narrower rear bodywork in recent races, closely sculpted around the engine and gearbox within, with the only opening being the wide one behind the exhausts to improve hot air extraction. This ensures minimal...
A dramatically reduced rear wing in terms of main profile and flap dimension for Monza. To further cut drag, both elements have a flat profile - unlike the curved one (designed to increase downforce) seen previously. That teams could run such small wings here highlights just how much downforce they...
The fact that Monza is the only ultra fast circuit on the calendar is clearly visible in the small dimensions of the wing elements on all the cars here. Minimal downforce is needed and the high speeds mean this can be generated with very small flaps and fins. The McLaren sports a single front flap,...
Small but important changes in Turkey, continuing development of the barge boards and lower sidepods. Small, round-edged fins are added both to the outermost edge of the car's flat bottom (lower-right arrow) and to the triangular fin connected to the barge boards (lower-left arrow). The knife-edge...
A hugely modified design for Germany. The all-new main profile still bends upwards, but its profile is narrower and is connected to completely revised endplates, featuring three horizontal slits (1), as seen now on many cars. The front edge of the endplate bends slightly rearwards (2) and the...
A completely new aero package for Germany. The front wing's main profile loses 6cm in width, which is transferred to the bottom of the endplates, with their knife-edge rounded profile. The endplate's horizontal fin, introduced in Canada, is also wider. The overall effect, combined with rear wing...
Not completely new, but it's fascinating to see how the rear end of the McLaren is revised between races. For Magny-Cours, the vertical fin placed inside the hollow section in front of the rear wheels now sports a more curved, sinuous shape. This improves the efficiency of this area by increasing...
It is often the small changes that make the big improvements. McLaren's front wing has evolved slightly but significantly in Magny-Cours. Two races ago we pointed out different endplates featuring a short horizontal fin placed at the front. With the experience of racing and testing the team has now...
Montreal is hard on brakes, particularly with regards to keeping them cool. McLaren approached the problem in two directions, increasing the cross section of the round brake ducts (left arrow) and at the same time adopting a new material for the discs (right arrow). This material is capable of...
As in Monaco, in Montreal McLaren concentrated their aero efforts on the front wing, with revised endplates that now feature a small horizontal fin right at the level of the front edge (red arrow). This element is very similar to a solution adopted by Ferrari in recent races. It provides reduced...
Adding small pointed fins to the external edge of barge boards, close to their sidepod link, has become increasingly popular since their first appearance on last year's Renault at Monaco. At the Nurburgring McLaren have introduced a triangular fin on the right-hand barge board only. This...
Aero changes for Monaco include the addition of a vertical fin under the main profile (in yellow), acting as an airflow splitter, and a change to the shape of the lower channel on the endplates (in orange). The channel now has a flatter upper edge (previously semi-circular). The modifications help...
Imola is tough on brakes, so power and cooling is paramount, leading many teams to adopt McLaren's solution of radial, square-section channels to improve bite. These increase friction between disc and pad, improving stopping power in the first part of the braking procedure. This initial power is...
In Australia Kimi Raikkonen lost his right-hand barge board through contact with a kerb. So, for Sepang onwards, the mounting of this element on the front bottom edge of the sidepod has been strengthened, by increasing its width and adding layers of carbon fibre around it. Note also how the chimneys...
These strange devices provide additional downforce in the middle of the car, therefore improving its balance, but also split the airflow much more effectively into two separate portions. The upper portion is directed to the rear wing, while the lower one helps increase the speed of the airflow over...
Wider, drooping nose, similar to that seen at Monza last season, chosen because it works better with new keel concept. Double keel has been almost abandoned in favour of a single one, still keeping the barge boards inside the front suspension, but with the foremost, lower wishbone pick up points not...
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