McLaren MP4-26
The MP4-26
Pictures from the McLaren MP4-26
Pictures of the McLaren drivers
Pictures of the McLaren Technology Centre
Rear wing
The ‘F-Duct’, which McLaren pioneered in 2010, has now been outlawed. It enabled the driver to stall the rear wing to reduce drag and find extra pace on the straight. In its place comes the Drag Reduction System (DRS) which drivers are only allowed to use at certain points of the race if they are within a second of the car in front.
Sidepods
The sidepods of the MP4-26 have a unique L-shaped design. This is to help ensure maximum airflow to the rear of the car, including the rear wing and the diffuser, which are crucial areas for performance.
KERS
McLaren was one of the main beneficiaries of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) during its first year in 2009. Its use was blocked last year but now it returns, producing 60kW at maximum power and 400MJ per lap. The use of double-deployment during qualifying will lead to a big jump between qualifying and race pace.
Rear suspension
Whereas the front suspension of the MP4-26 features a standard pushrod system, the rear suspension is operated by pullrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement.
Diffuser
The diffuser channels air from under the car, boosting aerodynamic grip. The loophole allowing the ‘double diffuser’ of recent years was rewritten for 2011 and its volume is also subtly smaller this year. That means that while this area is still crucial, there will be less variety and development focus will shift to other areas of the car.
Front Wing
The front wing acts in the opposite way to an aircraft wing, pushing the car down to generate more grip. The flaps at each end are adjustable to tune the handling. The vertical plates at the ends of the wing are designed to direct air away from the front wheels, which are significant obstacles to the airflow.
