Any ideas what this drag reduction system could be? The rumours going around the paddock were that they have a concept similar to Renault's whereby the exhaust exits close to the front of the side pods. In which case their cover would have been blown by Renault and they'd have missed the first test for nothing (assuming of course that they held back the car to hide it's secrets). Sounds like they've got another trick up their sleeve, either instead of or as well as the front blowing exhausts. To me "Drag Reduction System" sounds like they've found a similar solution to last year's f-duct where they can remove downforce and drag on the straights. Thoughts??
I have no idea whatsoever about the logic Mclaren are employing by missing 3 days of testing in the new car, with the in-season testing ban it simply defies logic, should they suffer through this then heads would have to roll big time for this decision... doubt they have anything that special that they could not have disguised this week. Still will have to wait and see what all the fuss is about, but to miss out on valuable data to me seems a tad incredulous.
"Drag Reduction System" is just another word for adjustable rear wing. I believe the rumours about McLaren having a similar exhaust to Renault - it could be the thing Whitmarsh was talking about when he said the car would "create discussion". I wonder how effective the exhausts are in that position - as the EBD is still legal.
Fantastic news from the Spanish Bank!! Welldone Lewis for being such a fantastic & sucessful face for Santander...they obviously despite national opinion refuse to give up the amazing services of the astonishing Lewis Hamilton MBE!!! From McLaren website http://mclaren.com/home : "Santander cites its association with 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton in its advertising campaigns as one of the driving forces behind the huge growth in brand recognition". -Dont think ferrari, alonso and some of alonso's fans will be too happy. As for the Drag Reduction System ...that means the adjustable rear wing. And the word is in the paddock (post testing on tuesday) that McLaren have a monster of a car in the mp4 - 26, and that mclaren have been trying to keep hush hence the laptimes in testing. Friday in Berlin will be very interesting and all eyes will be there.
Rumours (sorry nothing concrete) are that the paint job is spectacular on the new Mclaren, and they've got something seriously innovative on it. It was mentioned that it will look markedly different to last years car, and the other cars this year.
The similar exhaust to LRGP have been discounted. They have something else revolutionary regarding the exhaust apparently, as have Red Bull who are yet to run with theirs. Ferrari are either keeping tight lipped or trying to figure out what these teams have pulled off and how they can copy any successful models. Think it's going to be Red Bull's year again though. Sebastian Vettel for youngest ever double WDC anyone?
When Hamilton was referring to the car looking different I thought he was referring to something more influential than the paint job. Can't wait to see what they've come up with, it's hard to take them too seriously after the amount of hot air they blew last season when talking about performance upgrades for the next race, but I'm worried (as a Vettel fan) that this time they might deliver on their promises.
