[ McLaren MP4-31 ] text by tw (Original text 2016 February 22,) [ Japanese language ]

(English translation May 23, 2016)

McLaren is the machine "MP4-31" for 2016, was announced on February 21, 2016.
Photos of "MP4-31", please look at the WEB F1 Tsushin.
The following is my opinion.


Front wing, but basically the five elements. The wing, four, there is a gap.
What is the role of gap flap :
In the wing lower surface, in front of the air flow stalls, and jetting the high pressure of the wing upper surface give the kinetic energy.
In this in the wing throughout, it is not stalled flow.

It and in another purpose :
Front wing, a short distance from the ground. It has gained a strong downforce at the Grand Effects.
This aerodynamic fluctuates body posture change.
In order to mitigate the change, it might have been a multi-gap flap.

During the running, in case where the road surface of the rubber is jammed in the gap, it is designed in a span with a margin.

Splitter of the front wing is six in the right and left.
Shape is a straight line. Induction of the air flow is not a purpose, stability is the purpose.

Cascade, retreat to the outside angle.
Air flows from the high pressure zone to the low pressure zone.
Airflow of cascade the top surface of the MP4-31 is flowing toward the weak outside of the angle of attack.
Thus, there is a purpose to direct the air flow to the front wheels of the outside.

Nose tip was a little refined.

Front wing stay is a large area toward the rear, controls the airflow path.
When high nose in the current regulation, a three-dimensional nose underside.
Three-dimensional nose is likely to disturb the airflow.

It is seen from the side, the nose holes in the passage of the S-shaped,
passing the air flow from the lower surface of the nose to the top surface.
Therefore, the nose hole is referred to as S duct.
Since the flow from the nose top surface to the foot box top surface is accelerated to the negative pressure, the air flow of the S duct is sucked.

MP4-31 is a slanted nose top and horizontal foot box top surface, is connected with a small curvature.
This is, as viewed from the front, but in order to bring the push rod vertically.
Than aerodynamic, and has a design that prioritizes the car of operability.

Legal to wear the aerodynamic parts to brake duct. Processing in the MP4-31 is fine.

The front wheel is visible in the new design.
By utilizing CFD, probably by improving the heat dissipation of the brake.


I watched the MP4-31, it was felt that are promoting the very development, and the front of the side pod, it is of the front area.
Against the curved surface of the side pod side, the angle of the vertical vane.
To suppress the lift of the side pod top surface, six of the fin in the right and left. The angle.
Rear view mirror under side of the fin. Border plate obtained by projecting the area of the mirror down.
In front of the under plate is, there is also a gap border wing. They are packaged.
These are the aerodynamic point of the Formula Car,
because it suggests that here are developed, aerodynamic performance of the MP4-31 is so not a bad feeling about this.

The height of the side pods, slightly lower than the reference plane on the 600mm that are allowed by regulation.
Last year the same rear view mirror is at a higher position.

To imitate the Red Bull from last year, the side protector top surface is divided air flow to the left and right.
To suppress the generation of Drag and lift, but philosophy likable.

Narrow Coke bottle line, the rear end is a tight.
McLaren and Honda have been the development philosophy, size zero concept.

In front of the rear wheels, a multi-slit are open to the under panel.
Honestly, this is how to act, whether there is what kind of effect, I still do not know.
From both sides of the under-panel, but control of the air flow to suck to the body lower surface appears to be a purpose ...

Rear wishbone In the high position, which contributes to the improvement of aerodynamic performance.


2014 1.6-liter V6 since the regulation of the turbo engine is introduced,
Even though F1 machine, engine sound has become smaller.
Exhaust regulation is changed from this year,
an exhaust pipe independent dedicated exhaust having passed through the wastegate also be provided were required.
When viewed from behind, it must be penetrated backward from the exit of the waste gate.
MP4-31 is, in the above main exhaust pipe, two of the wastegate is below.

Rear wing stays have a swan-neck, it emphasizes the flow of the wing underside.
This stay, there is a part that you can imagine that it is for the mounting of the Monkey sheet.

The rear wing wing end plate, slit there are four that opened from the outside to the inside.
It supplies positive pressure energy to the wing lower surface to prevent peeling.
The idea has been published I have five years ago on this web site. (Please refer to the page of tw ideas.)
Also fin of the curve to rise, I have posted 10 years ago on this page. (Please refer to the page of tw ideas.)

Slit open horizontally to the wing end plate on the upper side than the wing, but Toyota's ideas of 2004.
This will discharge the high-pressure flow of the wing upper surface to the outside, reduce the wing tip vortex.

It McLaren Honda finished 2015 with disastrous results, but when you show a good run at the Hungaroring,
I generally chassis than opinion felt not bad.
Also this year, the speed of the machine would be the reality is that's up to the power unit.

The driver will continue, but the world champion duo of Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.

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