McLaren have launched their F1 car today as expected in some unique manner. The car was unveiled bit by bit and part by part, something which have never been preceded before. Team drivers and former world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button, were aiding the glorious ceremony and have been surrounded with a group of very enthusiastic fans. Both drivers were laying sight on the car for the first time in “Real” after they both saw it in the wind tunnel.
Insiders claim that McLaren alongside Lotus Renault are using a new very innovative exhaust system to replace the old and banned double or blown diffuser. The system is tipped to be very important in terms of performance advantage and consists of channeling the exhaust pipes to the side pods on the openings of the Engine radiator, which might be very fundamental in increasing down force. The new car also boasts a range of aerodynamic features designed to take advantage of new rules that significantly limit the amount of down force that can be derived from the car’s underbody. It features distinctive U-shaped side pods – to feed air more efficiently to the car’s rear end – and an electronically adjustable rear-wing system, introduced for 2011 to increase the potential for overtaking. Beneath its skin, the car houses an all-new electric hybrid KERS system. McLaren, with engine partners Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines, were the first Formula One team to win a Grand Prix using a hybrid device in 2009, and this new system is expected to further refine that race-winning package.
Both drivers have been contender for the title last year and won five grand Prix’s in between them. Although Lewis Hamilton was very close to the Red Bulls all season he couldn’t overcome the amazing raw speed for the Red Bulls. This season the McLaren drives are confident that with the tyre changes and the new innovations on their cars things will be different.
On the other hand Force India extends its partner ship deal with McLaren until the end of 2011, where the team claims that it benefitted a lot from this cooperation and is looking forward for more benefits.
Official Team and Driver Quotes:
“We’ve seen it in the wind tunnel quite a lot, but it looks even better full-size,” said Hamilton. “It’s great to see how many fans braved the Berlin weather to come to the event. I hope it’s been an exciting day for everyone. I think people saw a unique way of revealing our 2010 car, something that’s never been done before. I hope the car proves just as innovative once we take to the track.
“I head into 2011 in a relaxed but determined frame of mind. I’ve spared nothing during my winter fitness preparations and, in many ways, I feel as fit, focused and refreshed as I did ahead of my first season in Formula One in 2007. So my aim for this year is to ensure that everything comes together in the best possible way and that, like last year, I’m able to fight for the title right down to the final race.”
Team mate Button wass equally excited after his first glimpse of his new charge: “Today really marks the beginning of our 2011 season after what seems a very long time away from the track,” he said. “It’s been a really exciting event for all the fans who attended, and now I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of MP4-26 for the first time next week.
“It’s strange to think that this is only the start of my second season at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, because I’ve felt so comfortable since joining the team last January. Even so, I’d still consider 2010 something of a building year, albeit, with two victories, a pretty solid one! For the new season, I’ve not only got a year’s Vodafone McLaren Mercedes experience under my belt, but I’ve also been able to offer input into the design and development of the new car – something that I was naturally unable to do last year. Now I really feel I know how Vodafone McLaren Mercedes goes racing, and I’ll be driving a car that’s been fully developed around Lewis and myself – that’s a very empowering feeling.”
“I think today’s innovative launch demonstrates the enthusiasm within Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to engage the general public; to show them that our sport is intense and exciting, and that we’re very keen to showcase Formula One to the wider world,” said team principal Martin Whitmarsh. “The MP4-26 is the result of an incredible amount of hard work, innovative thinking and dynamic teamwork.
“Under the leadership of (technical director) Paddy Lowe, (engineering director) Tim Goss and (director of design and development programmes) Neil Oatley, our design department is more integrated than ever: in fact, I’m particularly proud of the contributions made by our project engineers, many of whom have taken on leadership roles for the very first time and who had worked so well together to create this very striking and individual-looking car.”
The big Question, will McLaren turn their innovation into domination?
