While you could lay claim to the notion that the MP4-29 is built on a âproduction lineâ, itâs a little more complex than that â the cars are rarely used in sequential order. Chassis #01 has so far done the majority of 2014âs legwork; it was the car placed under the spotlight at the car launch on January 24, and itâs the chassis that did the Jerez test in early February. Itâs since been returned to MTC, re-built, modded and painted and freighted to Bahrain, where it was the spare at last weekâs test, and will be pressed into service again later this week. Chassis #03 was the running car for the first Bahrain test, and will also undertake testing duties this week â it then hurries back to MTC, gets dressed (ie: it gets a new paintjob) and is rushed out to Melbourne, where itâs the last of three cars to arrive for the Australian Grand Prix. As such, itâs the car that will sit in the back of the garage in stripped-down tub-form â only being pressed into service if we damage one of the two fully built-up race cars. Chassis #01, the star of Jerez, also goes back to MTC for a wash and a scrub, but it and its sibling, chassis #04, fly to Melbourne five days earlier than the spare chassis, becoming the two race cars that are currently slated to contest Australia, Malaysia, Bahrain and China. Chassis #02? Itâs not due to take to the track until the post-Bahrain Grand Prix test in early April. Of course, the best-laid plans are always subject to change â and invariably do if a chassis becomes damaged or needs repair. Last year, the mechanics replaced Sergio Perezâs tub on Friday night after the Mexican dropped the car at Spoon during free practice at the Japanese Grand Prix. While the tub wasnât irreparably damaged, a detailed analysis quickly showed it was quicker and easier to build up the spare tub than to carry out sub-optimal in-the-field repairs. It takes a mountain of paperwork just to cover the logistics of the tubs â imagine the further complexity of managing all the bodywork, the list of new components â most of which invariably get flown out to the tests and races at the last minute, front and rear wings, and the thousands of little spares, screws, spacers, fixings and tools that accompany the cars around the world.
Whilst the early few days of the tests looked quite reasonable, we appear to be back where we were last year. I'm hoping that the lack of running has hidden a few of the cars strengths but I feel I am probably being over optimistic! It will be interesting to see how the influence of Dennis now affects how they develop out of this Situation and given that they will surely be shipping out to Aus quite soon, I think they will be in for a tough set of fly away races!
Jenson Button says Mercedes and Williams are at the front of the Formula 1 pack ahead of next week's season-opener in Melbourne. Speaking to Sky Sports News on Wednesday, the McLaren driver, who made his debut for Williams in 2000 and won the world title with Mercedes - then known as Brawn GP - nine years later, said that both teams had emerged as the strongest during pre-season testing. On Sky Sports The F1 Show March 7, 2014 8:00pm Get a Sky Sports Day PassUpgrade to Sky Sports "It has been a messy winter for a lot of people in terms of mileage on circuit. The two that you would pick out that look strong and consistent are Mercedes and Williams," Button said. "In a way it is not good when you are behind certain teams, but I am happy for Frank Williams that they have a competitive car so far this year. I think those are the two teams to beat right now." Like Mercedes, Williams and also Force India, McLaren are using the German manufacturer's new power unit, which has the edge over rivals Ferrari and Renault as F1 enters its new hybrid era. Button said that McLaren had been a little off the pace in Bahrain but hopes that upgrades to their new MP4-29 could make the difference in Australia. "We didn't have our upgrade on the car in testing - we did actually have it on, but we didn't get to run it as we had a few issues - so for the moment we don't really know where we stand," he said. "Those two are the teams that I think looked strongest over winter testing, whether that will be the case when we get to Melbourne - it is a very different circuit to Bahrain - we have to wait and see." The story of the winter has been Red Bull's struggle to adapt to the sport's technical changes, with poor reliability severely limiting their running. "I think you will see them putting in very good laps in qualifying. Whether they can get to the end of a race or not I don't know," Button assessed. "For any team, to get to the end of a race is very difficult - especially at the start of the season - and if you do get to the end of the race there are some good points up for grabs. "I think for the smaller teams it is the best chance to score points - especially the two teams that haven't scored a point in F1," he added. After McLaren struggled last season, Button also reckons that Ron Dennis's return to oversee their campaign will have the desired effect. "Yes, and I think in a good way," he added. "He is quite an unusual character Ron, I have a lot of respect for what he has done in the sport - this team wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Ron - and I think everyone is excited. "He is looking forward to this challenge and it gives everyone a lot more confidence within in the team." Click here to read the full Q&A.
Think it's funny how Magnussen looked really pleased about the car after testing, and the older, more experienced Button is now playing it down as Kevin has gone all quiet (probably been told to by the bosses). Simply put I think that car is better than Button is trying to portray, just a feeling.
Either that or he doesn't want to look as stupid as he did after last years testing when he said that he was very happy with the car. I seem to remember him saying it was the best car he had driven, although I may be remembering incorrectly.
I think the reason there has been so much flooding lately is because McLaren have nicked all the sand-bags, I think it's probably the best car out there as they've been designing it for over a year and started brightly and faded away as they didn't want to show their hand and allow anyone else to start copying some of their designs until the last possible moment. edit: Not sure if that's the longest sentence I've written, but it must be close.
I believe he said it was the best car they'd made at the launch, back when everyone at McLaren thought the same. After testing it was a different story. As for this year, i'm inclined to believe that McLaren have been more conservative, which might not be such a bad thing. Both Button and Magnussen have said the car doesn't have fundamental problems like last year, so they have a much better chance of turning it into a winner if it isn't now (IIRC they'll have their first major upgrade package on the car next week).
If Button can ever find this sweet spot he needs to make a car go fast, then he will be a contender, but I think Magnussen's youth will make the McLaren faster as he will try to drive the wheels off it and drive around any minor setup problems that leaves Button flummoxed time after time.
I very briefly met Jonathan Neale today! I said "you must be looking forward to the new season with Red Bull behind" and he said "let's see how many more excuses Christian Horner can come up with!". I was going to ask about Martin Whitmarsh but thought better of it.
Magnussen did a great job today, mind you once he got going there wasn't really anyone putting pressure on him. Hopefully the drive will have been really helpful for him as he could just concentrate on keeping it on the track under full race conditions. Jensen did a good job after having the yellow flags hinder him in quali. I wonder who made the strategy call for Jensen to pit? Ron or Eric? Who ever it was, hopefully this is a return to good strategy from McLaren.
Still no title sponsor, even Mobil has been relegated back to the engine cover please log in to view this image
Or.... in Malaysia, the black sidepod area will be featuring a large sponsor logo, however this time it is the Esso brand, which is a subsidiary of ExxonMobil.
McLaren doing their best to attract new sponsors http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/113218 Well done chaps, that's bound to land you a big money deal........
I had a thought the other day that Mclaren's innovative wishbones could end up hampering their development, just like the DDRS did to Mercedes in 2012. As we've seen in previous years, the diffuser and floor have been an area that teams have been using to maximise down force, but with these massive winglets on the suspension, and aerodynamics built around that, surely it will hold their development in that area back? Of course, this is Mclaren, they are known for their in-season development, and there's more focus on power unit performance rather than aerodynamics this year, but I can't help thinking that this will stop Mclaren competing for podiums and wins because of what happened to Mercedes. I hope I am wrong, because I'd like to see them fighting for the championships.
