Comments on: McLaren-Mercedes ‘have 25bhp more’

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:06:15 +0000

Aren’t all the teams using these J-dampers/’inerters’ now? Last I heard Force India were trying one. Here’s some more:

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20669.html

By: Becken

Becken — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:51:19 +0000

JEAN: What a story, mate!

Any link? Could be worth…

By: DG

DG — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:27:06 +0000

Jean – thats a bit scandalous! Better not tell Ferrari, eh? Mind you, if McLaren have been using it since 2005, they haven’t always had an advantage. Perhaps thats whats stopping Renault from saying too much.
I bet Ferrari have an ‘S-damper’ or similar too…..

By: qazuhb

qazuhb — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:10:50 +0000

Thanks Alianora! If this has been correctly implemented, then it would not be so easy to cheat the official refueller. But on the other hand competition has became so fierce that we’ve seen a lot of “creative” solutions lately…

By: Alianora La Canta

Alianora La Canta — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:16:32 +0000

qazhub, there effectively is a rule limiting fuel input, since there are only two types of refueller permitted in F1. Refuellers where there is no pressurisation and all movement of the fuel is due to gravity are permitted, and indeed are the type normally used in practise sessions, when time is less of an issue.

Pressurised refuellers are permitted but only if they are unmodified versions of the unit supplied by the FIA-approved supplier (which has been Intertechnique ever since refuelling’s reintroduction in 1994). Intertechnique itself is forbidden to provide any unit capable of more than 12 litres per second for safety reasons.

By: Jean

Jean — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:34:03 +0000

The latest story is that McLaren have been using a mass damper since 2005! (which they have code-named a “J” damper) . It sounds to me like this device was being developed by Cambridge University , obviously using McLarens input on the effects to their cars , and has now been perfected (possible explantion to McLarens recent form) and the licence for production has just been sold to Penske racing shocks. Renault have been aware of it , but because of the scandal involving Phil McKereth etc. could not get involved using it. Because I’m not a McLaren fan , my immediate thought is to think they have gained an unfair advantage , but I guess behind the scenes all the bigger teams are continually doing similar things , it just depends on if they get caught or not and if they have stepped the mark or not regarding the rules.

By: DG

DG — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:22:38 +0000

I think the Ferrari/Shell comment about making different fuels for different races is just a lot of hype – and this article does seem to confirm that the fuel regulations are very strict on that.
Though I am sure that a different fuel mix may give some extra power, 25hp does seem a little optimistic. Maybe the Mercedes engines are just better at burning all the fuel than the Ferraris?
I am surprised in a Championship where all the teams have to use the same tyre supplier that they are allowed to use different fuel suppliers. Its a wonder that Max/Bernie/Ferrari haven’t accused McLaren/Mobil of cheating – maybe they are waiting for the silver cars to get ahead of them in the points again. Just a thought….

By: mani

mani — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:17:43 +0000

Keith, thanks for the reply! but I’ve another doubt on this, say if a team has a very brittle engine (as the one Ferrari seems to have this season – hopefully not but I guess they are one of the teams suffering engine problems frequently this season) – to make it simple, I’m exaggerating this – say an engine incapable of lasting for two race weekends!

What is the fate of the team? is it written off for the season? or can the team do anything to overcome such a trouble?

By: Paige

Paige — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:37:39 +0000

I just can’t see McLaren having that big of a horsepower advantage. However, I would say that they do have a horsepower advantage at the moment. This really showed up in a big way at Montreal, where they ran a low downforce setup and basically allowed the engine to take over. Hamilton was easily 3-4 tenths per lap faster than everyone else on the track there.

While the tire situation may suit Ferrari this weekend, the fact that there will be long straightaways and, as Martin Whitmarsh suggested, downforce levels similar to Hockenheim will be used, I think the Mercedes ponies in the back may give the Silver Arrows a compensating boost.

By: the limit

the limit — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:46:01 +0000

I find it hard to believe that McLaren’s advantage is that great. Bearing in mind how Massa was able to murder both McLaren’s at the start three weeks ago in his Ferrari, but McLaren have certainly improved in terms of performance, that is without doubt.
Following on from the bitterness and disappointment of last year, McLaren are a team that does not lack motivation.
I fully agree with the previous posts about how the engine freeze will do nothing to hurt the top teams, but everything to destroy the smaller ones. All it can lead to is more small teams buying Ferrari, Mercedes, and Toyota engines just to be able to compete.