This engine displayed some worrying reliability problems right from the very start of last winter's early testing sessions. In fact, for much of January McLaren were obliged to run the MP4-21 in a hybrid configuration, using a modified version of the older V10. By the first race in Bahrain, the...
McLaren continue their aero development into the final round in Brazil with two horizontal, pointy winglets (red arrow), one either side of the chassis' foremost section. These slightly odd-looking elements serve a similar function to the similarly-located devices seen on the Renault this season....
McLaren brought two solutions to China, their differences related to main profile and endplate. Both are an optimised mix of previous designs seen throughout the season. The Mark I version sports the original spoon profile introduced early in the year, coupled with the endplates adopted at...
A further development of the endplates, used only by Pedro de la Rosa in Hungary. The leading edge is completely vertical, losing the curves seen on the previous version. This model was specifically designed for this track, in order to provide a better front-end balance. However, Kimi Raikkonen...
Due to the high downforce requirements of the Hungaroring, the rear wing's flap sports a high incidence angle, while the outer ends of its main profile bend upwards to increase airflow pressure close to the endplates. This raises downforce, and the small drag penalty is of little consequence here....
An evolution in Germany, which in some ways seems to be going in the opposite direction to recent developments. The wing's endplate is completely different to that at the last race. Its profile is now vertical at the top as opposed to the bottom, with the bottom, not the top, sloping outwards. And...
A new version for Indianapolis, featuring a completely flat main profile and flap. This provides less downforce, but at the same time reduces drag, hence improving top speed on the long straight. To guarantee adequate grip, especially in the slow infield section, both front and rear wings feature...
As in Monaco, in Britain the McLaren sported a double-S profile to its front wing, with the outer extremities bending upwards. Here, however, that upward bend was even more extreme, creating a greater gap between the wing profile and the ground, so as to reduce the pitch sensitivity of the car at...
Not strictly a new feature, but a key one at Monaco. Brake wear is not a problem here. Instead the low speeds mean the issue is keeping the brakes up to working temperature. The only heavy braking points are at the chicane after the tunnel, and to a lesser extent the Ste Devote and Mirabeau corners....
A brand new design for Monaco, with completely different main profile and flaps. The main profile now has a double curve as it extends away from the nose, with the outer extremities bending noticeably upwards. As a result the central spoon section is effectively widened, meaning more airflow over...
For Imola, the width of the main profile has been reduced, while the horizontal section of the endplates has been increased by the same amount - around 4cm. The endplate change dramatically reduces the vortices created by the front wheels, while the reduced width of the main profile cuts drag,...
Small changes for Melbourne following informal communications from the FIA post-Malaysia. The revisions are concentrated on the endplates, in the cut area just behind the flap (red arrows). This area is now bent slightly outwards, with reinforcement along the bend to restrict the flexibility of the...
Kimi Raikkonen was last on the Bahrain grid thanks to a right lower wishbone failing on his rear suspension during qualifying. There are no heavy suspension loads or high kerbs at Sakhir and the failure was down to a manufacturing fault. It does, however, draw attention to the extreme design of...
The MP4-21 sports a much narrower nose than its predecessor, modifying the car's centre of aerodynamic pressure. Its front end looks significantly cleaner in terms of airflow management, especially towards the sidepod air inlets, which are smaller and at a higher level than before. These changes...
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