McLaren MP4-26 Launch

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I was unable to locate the exhausts. Also not visible in the Unity Web Player demo^
I thought I was perhaps seeing them below where the sidepods taper inwards but that might just be a special detail.
I'm assuming they are in the usual spot at the moment though, didn't get a good look.
 
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Who was complaining about all the cars looking all the same and boring? :lol:

Last year the cars looked fairly unique..this year even more so! Interesting design, nice to see someone do something significantly different with the side-pods.
I like the look of this car far more than any McLaren since 2000 or something.
 
Wow :drool:

In terms of shape, it's the best looking car on the grid for me. Those side-pods look awesome, I'm hoping they will be very effective too. :p

I like the look of this car far more than any McLaren since 2000 or something.

I don't think it looks as good as the MP4-23, but it certainly looks one of the better cars from the current regulations.
 
Anyone know what their design philosophy was for this year? McLaren usually always come up with something radical during their launch but I don't get the idea with the L-shaped side pods yet.

 
Anyone know what their design philosophy was for this year? McLaren usually always come up with something radical during their launch but I don't get the idea with the L-shaped side pods yet.


I'm guessing it works on similar principles to the ridges we have seen on the front nose the last few years (most notably on the redbull) but on a much bigger scale. It may also draw more air down to feed the diffuser.
 
Except that the Ferrari's major aero updates are still to come. That front wing is certainly the 2010 wing.
 
Wow, the nose is low on that Mclaren. The front suspension must be quite different, especially when you compare it to the Ferrari.

The shape of the side pod intakes reminds me of the front and rear grill/light arrangement on the road car.
 
Here are some pictures of the 3D model of the car. Click to enlarge.








Here is Autosports Q & A with Goss & Lowe from McLaren: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89287

Interesting tweets from conference (http://twitter.com/RacecarEngineer):

# The MP4-26 has a channel on the sidepod almost certainly for a front exhaust exit 2 minutes ago via web

# Tim Goss - we do not intend to test or race the exhaust seen on the car at the launch - FEE fully expected 3 minutes ago via web

# Martin Whitmarsh says "lots more to come - some things we have not yet shown you."


Like everyone else they will be unveiling something different for the actual race car.


Tech Specs from McLaren: http://mclaren.com/article/2011/mp4-26-tech-spec
 
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Is it me or is the music on the McLaren website eerily familiar?
 
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Look how much they're going to have to angle the radiators on the sidepods to fit them in there.

See my previous post with the link to autosport.

They were using "fake internals" including a plastic engine and exhaust. While the radiators in the "real" MP4-26 may be angled like this, there is also a good chance that they won't be.

When Mclaren start using fake internal components to hide the secrets of their cars, then I wouldn't read too much into said fake components' assembly.
 
See my previous post with the link to autosport.

They were using "fake internals" including a plastic engine and exhaust. While the radiators in the "real" MP4-26 may be angled like this, there is also a good chance that they won't be.

When Mclaren start using fake internal components to hide the secrets of their cars, then I wouldn't read too much into said fake components' assembly.

I got the photo from your link ;)

Purpose of my post was to point out the extremes that McLaren is gonna need to go to with their current configuration.
 
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Looks to be one of the more intresting cars revelied so far to me! Really intresting sidepods/rearend. I wonder how much will change..
 
I think it looks brilliant. Hopefully one of the Brit duo win (I know there's a 3rd but saw an interview with him and didn't like him)
 
I really hated the big tall fin behind the driver in the recent cars.
So glad to see that is gone. Regardless of functionality, it was the ugliest thing I ever saw on a race car!
 
Absolutely stunning car, I just hope it's slow so I can appretiate every minute I can look at it. :)
 
This car is looking like a real winner to me (the "L" shaped side pods make a lot of sense in my eyes), and it seems like Mclaren have have a lot on their side going into the new season (with a wealth of KERS knowledge/experience over RBR).

I must say, If one of the Ferrari drivers can't win the WDC, it would surely be a pleasure to see Hamilton win his 2nd WDC and neuter those damn Red Bull's :p
 
As a McLaren fan, I'm pleased with the MP4-26. I'm fairly optimistic going into this season, and would really like to see Hamilton score his second championship win. Hopefully this car can make it happen.

I'm still waiting for high-resolution images of this thing for my desktop wallpaper.
 
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