They're gonna go like mad, carrying on the car this year and pushing development despite being over a hundred points behind. Then, when 2012 starts, Red bull have just been coasting the whole year from about halfway through, developing the 2012 car but Mclaren will be disadvantaged again, because they've been spending their time on a lost cause... Repeat year after year.
Maybe they might find a new update they can carry onto next season, in fact development can carry on the same car, at least you have a vehicle to test new ideas on in the practice sessions and not an imaginary design only printed out on paper. Mclaren could go either way in terms of dropping their car or not, both options shouldn't hamper the car really.
Yes because giving up halfway through the year worked so well for Mercedes, while Red Bull who pushed the entire or last season are doing rubbish this season.
What worries me is that this car has been built around blown diffuser (hot air) and this is being restricted to just 10% useage next year. McLaren need to figure out why their car was slow in Silverstone and build on that. Also lets hope they have made breakthroughs with the octo exhaust because that was apparently worth around a second. I also hope McLaren evolve this years car rather than starting fresh again like 09/10/11 because it has bags of potential.
Giving up on one car and moving all focus to the following years car far from guarantees results. There are probably more examples of where that approach has failed than examples of where it has succeeded. Despite the rule changes around off throttle blown diffusers, next years car is most likely to be an evolution of the '11 car, so there's still a lot they can learn from developing this car further. Not only that, I also honestly believe that a winning mentality is important for both the team and the drivers alike. If they can get this car in tip-top form and get some good strong results under their belt at the end of this season, then they can carry that momentum through to the start of next season.
The most recent example being BMW in 08/09. Gave up on the race winning F1.08 half way through the season, when Kubica was a serious contender for the world championship, and put all their chips on the F1.09, which was abysmal in comparison.
I have to say I fail to understand why Mclaren always seem to turn up with a bad starting point yet improve quickly. If they could get the initial car right I think they could really challenge Red Bull.
Their car always suffers from the same issue. A lack of aerodynamic grip. The chassis is always good, providing more than enough mechanical grip (which explains consistently strong performances at monaco), but the aero department always makes a mess of it.
There's still a lot at stake to fight for, including more money for next year by securing 2nd in the Constructors' Championship. It's also important for Lewis to rebuild his confidence during the remainder of this season. Furthermore, I think it's important psychologically for the team not to give up, better to go out fighting. Also, EBD issues aside, they have a good new car this year to build on for next year.
I've been saying this for so long it sounds like an old record with a scratch: McLaren should abandon their obstinacy over the mega-long wheelbase.* The logic is simple: a longer wheelbase is great for straight line stability and traction, but has more air between front and rear tyre contact points. More air is more difficult to control than less of it - especially at higher speeds. This does not matter in a straight line but is vital when cornering. It is the high speed corners which matter so much in F1; something Adrian Newey always maintains as a top priority. *[Of course they can't just alter it mid-season. - I'm talking about the long term.]
I remember the fuss over the wheelbase issue a few years ago. One mclaren ran a far shorter wheelbase than the other (i think it was 2004). Speaking of longer wheelbases, is the red bull running a longer wheelbase this weekend? it definitely looked different in practice today.
I think it would be sensible for McLaren to give up on 2011. They're too far behind to win both Championships and even if they stop focusing on this season, Ferrari wont catch them in the Constructors.
I believe McLaren have two development teams and they are concentrating on next years car, but like cosi says they should step back from the long wheel base. I can't remember for sure but I think it was Jordan in 78 who developed two cars for the season one long wheel base and one short they used the short wheel base at Monaco, I think, somebody correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway this years car isn't exactly a dog is it.
Agreed Forza. True Mephisto; this year's McLaren is no slouch. But I think Jordan Grand Prix began competing in 1991
I swear Toro Rosso or Mclaren themselves did it a couple of years ago as well, could be wrong mind but it rings a bell.
The exhaust regs have been tightened for next season after the blown diffuser row, the teams have to run periscope exhausts again from 2012. Totally agree. It always baffles me when they unveil a new car and boast about having the longest wheelbase, when it's clearly disadvantaging them. Regarding the OP, if McLaren are going to evolve the current chassis they might as well continue with development this season as upgrades (barring things like EBD's) can be carried forward. Ferrari will be starting from scratch with theirs because they were way too conservative this year. I think it would be worth Red Bull switching focus a bit to try and find a solution for an 80kW Kers system. But in most cases parts can be carried into next season.
