McLaren MP4-26 launch – first pictures
2011 F1 cars
McLaren have launched their 2011 F1 car in Berlin.
Here are the first pictures of the car.
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- McLaren MP4-26 launch, Berlin, 2011
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- McLaren MP4-26 launch, Berlin, 2011
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- McLaren MP4-26 launch, Berlin, 2011
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- McLaren MP4-26 launch, Berlin, 2011
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- McLaren MP4-26 launch, Berlin, 2011
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- McLaren MP4-26 launch, Berlin, 2011
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- McLaren MP4-26 launch, Berlin, 2011
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- McLaren MP4-26 launch, Berlin, 2011
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- McLaren MP4-26 launch, Berlin, 2011
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
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- McLaren MP4-26
McLaren staged an unusual launch in Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz. Competition winners brought different pieces of the car and they were assembled together in front of the public and press.
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: “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 1 to the wider world.”
As well as featuring KERS and an adjustable rear wing, as permitted by the 2011 rules, the MP4-26 sports an unusual U-shaped sidepod arrangement. McLaren say the layout is to direct air to the rear of the car more efficiently.
McLaren will conduct a shakedown test with the car at the Idiada Proving Ground in Spain on Tuesday, before arriving at Jerez for the second F1 test two days later.
You can also view the McLaren MP4-26 in 3D on the team’s website.
2011 F1 cars
- HRT F111 seen for the first time in Barcelona
- Williams FW33 livery revealed
- Force India VJM04 – first pictures
- Virgin MVR-02 launch – first pictures
- McLaren MP4-26 launch – first pictures
- Toro Rosso STR6 launch – first pictures
- Mercedes W02 launch – first pictures
- Red Bull RB7 launch – first pictures
- Renault R31 launch – first pictures
- Sauber C30 launch – first pictures
Browse all 2011 F1 cars articles
Images © F1 Fanatic, www.mclaren.com
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys) said on 4th February 2011, 11:20
I’m not really sure what to think. It’s a very skinny-looking car, which makes the whole thing look longer. It’s also got a very industrial look compared to its predecessors. I was instantly reminded of the Tumbler in Batman Begins compared to the Batmobile in Batman & Robin.
I loved the way they built the car in the middle of the square. I just wish they would have given us a heads-up as to what was happening – I thought it was an ad to begin with, and it took me a long time to work out what was actualy going on.
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley) said on 4th February 2011, 11:26
I don’t like the look of the nose being so much lower than the top of the front wheels. It almost looks Indy-Car esque. I am also disappointed with the fact they’ve not got the red stripe along the top of the engine cover. It looks too boring without it.
But I am loving this no shark-fin-to-rear wing rule!
Damon (@damon) said on 4th February 2011, 12:36
“I don’t like the look of the nose being so much lower than the top of the front wheels.”
WHAT?!? The nose is still way too high. You like those ridiculously high noses??
That’s the most surprising statement I’ve ever read. They are plain disgusting, come on!!!
Mercedes nose = floods of vomit.
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley) said on 4th February 2011, 12:56
I don’t mean the nosecone itself; I mean the part of the car level with the front wheels. It reminds me too much of an Indy-Car – and that is by no means a good thing.
Damon (@damon) said on 4th February 2011, 13:01
Oh, so you mean the fact that it is flat on its length?
I love it – it reminds my of the 90′s Benettons!
Martin said on 4th February 2011, 14:11
I agree. That makes McLaren look really ugly.
PT said on 4th February 2011, 15:14
High nose, narrow track and grooved, narrower tyres – THE WORST DESIGN CHANGES TO HAPPEN TO F1 CARS. Period.
The grooved tyres are gone, but the other elements are still there along with other ugly bits like turning vanes and mini barge boards. When will these change? Can’t wait for 2013.
Meanwhile, how about race pitstops by competition winners for McLaren? A sure recipe to lose the championship.:)
Joey-Poey said on 4th February 2011, 16:37
Not a good thing for you, but some of us actually like Indy Cars :P
Icthyes (@icthyes) said on 4th February 2011, 17:27
Ditto Joey, love the side-on view
SSF Shumi Follower Forever said on 5th February 2011, 0:54
Looks ugly!
miguelF1O (@) said on 4th February 2011, 22:49
you right, all team went for a higher nose this year cause of the front suspension and to feed the floor even better, it seem like mclaren forgot the suspension troubles they had
MSC kick Britney Rosberg's ass in 2011 said on 5th February 2011, 1:01
Yah that’s possible..
BasCB (@bascb) said on 4th February 2011, 11:27
I like that idea as well. Something new, I just hope the guys get in it in the end, do a few doughnuts on the logo, then pick up Withmarsh from somewhere and drive off to the second test :-D
Now i have the live feed, that interview with Lewis is horrible, how many times does he want to mention the sponsor name?
Did you get yourself a Button or Lewis signed cap as well Keith?
Unipart said on 4th February 2011, 13:11
@ BasCB
I completely disagree with your thoughts. I think the launch, if you can call it one, was totally lifeless.
And the interview by Lewis was the only good part about the whole thing.
Calum said on 4th February 2011, 13:38
It was wierd, I put on the live feed just after 11 UK time, to see mechanics putting on wheels and a nosecone. :/ I thought it was a behind the scenes but it was good for the public to see rather than a dust sheet removal…
f1alex (@f1alex) said on 4th February 2011, 17:10
LOL sorry to get involved, but do you EVER agree with anyone? It just seems that every single one of your posts (especially to BasCB) seem to start with “I completely disagree…”. As someone said earlier, it’s like a comedy double act… :)
SSF Shumi Follower Forever said on 5th February 2011, 0:55
The worst looking car on the grid…
darren said on 4th February 2011, 12:10
your an idiot…it looks awesome and different to the others which is a good thing….and you thought it was an advert ha….your opinion is crap, it doesn’t look industrial at all
matt90 (@matt90) said on 4th February 2011, 12:14
“you’re”
I normally wouldn’t bother correcting people, but I’ve decided to make an exception.
darren said on 4th February 2011, 12:17
yeah YOUR!! an idiot too
Lee said on 4th February 2011, 12:23
You need some anger management sessions…. Plus possibly some English lessons….
Atticus (@atticus-2) said on 4th February 2011, 12:32
And a warn perhaps…
GeorgeTuk (@georgetuk) said on 4th February 2011, 12:35
Hi Darren,
Posters like you aren’t welcome around here, sorry.
Hope you manage to sort your issues out.
Henry said on 4th February 2011, 12:55
That kind of aggression and plain rude comments are not the norm on this site, dont know where you normally post/read but you’ll be welcome if you reign in the aggression and make your comments relevant. Otherwise I am sure you wont be missed.
darren said on 4th February 2011, 15:10
got you all talking though didn’t i…….
John H said on 4th February 2011, 12:14
y o u [apostrophe] r e
For what it’s worth, I think the best thing is that it’s different to most of the other cars. Makes things interesting – let’s see how it goes.
MaroonJack (@maroonjack) said on 4th February 2011, 12:28
“No swearing, insults, advertising or racial, sexual or similar discrimination allowed.”
Have a nice day.
Chotazas said on 4th February 2011, 14:39
Hey be cool Darren. This is not a drunkard pub. Be polite and talk what you want.
xanathos (@xanathos) said on 4th February 2011, 13:44
You thought? You were propably not the only one. it was basically a thirty minute vodafone ad
miguelF1O (@) said on 4th February 2011, 22:46
admit it this is even uglyier thatn the last one i love the concept on the radiators it reminds me of the f10 and the 09 bmw but much more aggressive
Aris (@aris) said on 4th February 2011, 11:20
A longer nose. I like it.
explosiveface (@explosiveface) said on 4th February 2011, 11:21
Pretty strange reveal. :p
Car looks great, but I will miss the shark fin on the McLaren, I’ve always hated the all-chrome top.
amt2nd (@amt2nd) said on 4th February 2011, 13:09
I thought I was the only person who really liked the look of the “shark fin”
bosyber (@bosyber) said on 4th February 2011, 13:37
No, you’re not – I liked it on the McLaren at least.
mateuss said on 4th February 2011, 13:38
No, you are not ;)
Fixy (@fixy) said on 4th February 2011, 17:15
I liked them all.
OEL said on 4th February 2011, 18:24
I liked them too. Sad they are gone :(
miguelF1O (@) said on 5th February 2011, 12:47
really, how can this look great? impossible last year was ugly this years car is horrendous (maybe because im sick of the paintjob) im not seeing any advance on aerodynamics on this car, they are going to lack downforce like last year.not good enough
coxy said on 5th February 2011, 16:39
so the whole U shape side pods designed to channel the air better to te rear of the car doesnt come under aerodynamics?
Ok i have always been a McLaren fan and even more so that there are two british divers. Hope the car is as good as it looks long wheel base does take geting used to but overall well done !!!!
OLI said on 4th February 2011, 11:23
Very interesting side pods! car looks amazing got to be the most pretty car!
S.J.M said on 4th February 2011, 11:26
Very, im sure theres some scienece in there that someone can explain to us!
Scribe said on 4th February 2011, 12:07
The side pods are insane, like nothing i’ve ever seen. Well, if thats the brave bit I don’t mind. Yay, hope it goes like the clappers.
Want to see some other angles now.
wasiF1 said on 4th February 2011, 12:18
The side pods to raises a question, but look interesting.
zecks said on 4th February 2011, 12:56
The ’96 prost and ferrari cars tried out similar sidepod concepts but nothing as extreme as this. Though I am totally clueless about the double airbox
Damon (@damon) said on 4th February 2011, 13:03
Yeah, Zecks, it’s nothing new.
The 1996 Ferraris had that concept:
http://img209.imageshack.us/i/1996f310fu4.jpg/
The Benettons in 1995 as well as Ligiers/Prosts had a similar design for years.
Damon (@damon) said on 4th February 2011, 13:06
And the airbox is a completely old, rehashed idea. The cars of the 70s and 80s had all sorts of airboxes like that:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/hunt_mcla_1976.jpg
zecks said on 4th February 2011, 13:12
Yeah but i unlike the 70s cars which had split air inlets, I don’t think that both feed the engine. vjanik suggests that it might be used to cool their KERS mechanism, but i think (or rather hope) that it is actually some kind of bonkers evolution of the F duct which allows the diffuser to be stalled.
Stephen Jones (@aus_steve) said on 4th February 2011, 12:22
yeah, L Shaped.. crazy!
Lee said on 4th February 2011, 12:25
I imagine they are shaped like that in an effort to channel air to the back of the car better as the better you can control the way the airflow exits the rear then the better you can control downforce and drag.
graigchq said on 4th February 2011, 12:32
best looking F1 car ever
Kevan said on 4th February 2011, 13:51
http://f1-facts.com/gallery/r/568
Similar sidepodxs mid nineties. Especially the Ligier
vin-f1 said on 4th February 2011, 19:09
for me the sidepod looks similar to 90s ferrari , not sure with downforce of the car and there will be more turbulence so may be difficult to handle the car at high speed corner,can somebody explain ?
trinacria said on 4th February 2011, 18:08
how long you have been fallowing f1?
miguelF1O (@) said on 5th February 2011, 12:53
you are just trying to start an discussion theres no way this is the prettiest car i dont believe in you.
Duchess (@duchess) said on 5th February 2011, 21:57
You know, I’ve just realized where I have seen similar sidepods before: the Renault R28! http://data.motor-talk.de/data/galleries/63715/15712/f1-renault-r28.jpg
Just the other way around really, but similar enough.
Bertie said on 4th February 2011, 11:23
Have you seen the side pods yet… They look mad.
martin bell said on 4th February 2011, 11:25
Not as mad as the airbox!!!
KaIIe (@kaiie) said on 4th February 2011, 11:28
It doesn’t have the mandatory camera yet, so it probably looks weirder than it actually is.
But interesting launch certainly.
Henry said on 4th February 2011, 12:59
Sidepods are crazy. They are so high, really give the area around the floor and underneath them a huge amount of space. Look too high, but they are slo very narrow. And the area around the diffuser is so neat, so empty, so clean and clear. Its also pretty interesting to see they dont have a central beam to activate the adjustable rear wing. Exhausts look pretty interesting also…
Look forward to it going around the track; aside from Renault’s (and Red Bull’s) exhausts, this is definitely the most radical design. Wonder if it makes it faster or slower!
zecks said on 4th February 2011, 13:05
a few of the teams seem to have a wing without a central activator williams/ mercedes. for the life of me i can’t understand out how they it works!
Hairpin (@hairpin) said on 4th February 2011, 13:58
I don’t think the side pods are that special, it looks like a solution that is being used on LMP1 cars and has been for some time now.
Dougy_D (@dougy_d) said on 4th February 2011, 11:24
No more F-Duct :*(
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys) said on 4th February 2011, 11:28
It’s banned.
Dougy_D (@dougy_d) said on 4th February 2011, 12:14
I knew someone would say that! :P
I know it is banned but I still miss it. Great piece of engineering
S.J.M said on 4th February 2011, 12:35
Yes, but who knows what other piece of dastardly invention they have the car armed with ;)
Calum said on 4th February 2011, 13:41
Not banned per se, more the old way of operating it by having a pipe run to the rear wing slot is banned… but F1 designers are cunning in interperating the rules. ;)
Mef said on 4th February 2011, 19:53
Gosh how would we manage without your insight PM?
slr said on 4th February 2011, 15:14
I’m glad the F-Duct is banned. It means that we don’t have to look of those stupid shark fins.
nemo said on 4th February 2011, 11:24
woah keith i hope you’re not as fast as this in the bedroom ;)
love love love this car already. the sidepods are crazy..!!
John H said on 4th February 2011, 12:20
steady on nemo!
Neil Davies (@neil-davies) said on 4th February 2011, 11:24
Love it – sidepods are wild, clever shaping. Wonder what the large extra top intake behind the engine intake is for?
Adrian J (@adrian-j) said on 4th February 2011, 11:40
Probably either for the oil radiator or to cool KERS…
Nick F said on 4th February 2011, 12:12
I just looked at some pics of them putting the thing together. It’s amazing that they did that. I’m sure the rival teams must have liked seeing all the internals.
In the pics i saw a little radiator quite close to that extra engine intake hole thingy. so probably is for cooling something as you mention.
Sherman Tank said on 4th February 2011, 13:16
I bet there were a few internals that were placed as a red herring to confuse and send there rivals on wild goose chases. I find it hard to believe that mcClaren would be so transparent.
Awesome car, roll on next week, lets see it on the move
David BR said on 4th February 2011, 13:55
My suspicion too.
The Last Pope (@the-last-pope) said on 4th February 2011, 14:33
yes aparently the internals on show were all fakes made of plastic.
Chief Macca Fan said on 8th February 2011, 16:07
i agree,whitmarsh said th sae thing,…macca havent really showed their hand just yet…bt i hope the new lower front nose proves to be ingenious and blows away redbull and the tifosi : ))
McLarenFanJamm (@mclarenfanjamm) said on 4th February 2011, 13:57
The second air intake is to cool the oil and hydraulics systems
Deurmat said on 4th February 2011, 11:26
The sidepods look awesome lol!
Pedal to the Vettel (@pedal-to-the-vettel) said on 4th February 2011, 11:27
Front wing diffuser as well, I like the look of the sidepods very unique.
kowalsky (@kowalsky) said on 4th February 2011, 12:34
nico winning 2011. You are even crazier that the mclaren sidepods.
Pedal to the Vettel (@pedal-to-the-vettel) said on 4th February 2011, 14:21
Nico will win if he gets a title contending car for the first time, just like the other world champions got in their careers.
Keep jabbing at me if you want, your guess is as good as mine for this season so don’t start tacking the mick just yet.
djdaveyp said on 4th February 2011, 14:57
I actually think this is Nico’s year. Mercedes have spent the longest developing this years car out of the top teams.
TypeBlank said on 4th February 2011, 23:48
Proof?
Each of the top teams throughout the year are working with their current model as well as also looking at the new model. That just how it is. So, I would not say Mercedes was working the longest, but rather was more concentrated on creating new than improving previous, which I hope will let them to make top 3 teams into top 4 teams.
MSC kick Britney Rosberg's ass in 2011 said on 5th February 2011, 0:59
Yes I agree with you all. Go Nico!
MSC kick Britney Rosberg's ass in 2011 said on 5th February 2011, 5:27
Go Britney Rosbeerg!
Pedal to the Vettel (@pedal-to-the-vettel) said on 5th February 2011, 13:35
@Typeblank, I think what djdave is on about, is that Mercedes stopped developing the 2010 car earlier then the rest and focused for 2011 more so, around about july-august i read up i think?
@MSCKBRAI2011
Didn’t you schumi fans/Rosberg haters say that last year? Oh yer lol…
bosyber (@bosyber) said on 4th February 2011, 11:27
I wonder how well the view to the sides is, sitting in the cockpit trying to see if Vettel is trying to run into your sidepod ….
martin bell said on 4th February 2011, 11:29
Maybe the shape gives more bounce to deflect flying Vettels?
BasCB (@bascb) said on 4th February 2011, 11:31
The high sides will probably be reinforced just for the opportunity to bash him off.
I was looking at the live feed from Berlin just now. Button had a nice answer to questions about the buttons in the car making it complicated. He said, there is a lot of Buttons in the car, even more in his one!
OLI said on 4th February 2011, 11:27
Very tight rear of the car slight curvature on the back wing beveled edge havent seen that before on a car this year, has the same ridge on the engine plate as the ferrari.
MSC kick Britney Rosberg's ass in 2011 said on 5th February 2011, 5:29
Yes it is..
Silverkeg (@silverkeg) said on 4th February 2011, 11:27
Those sidepods are really irritating me, they dont look nice to my eyes. same with the airbox. But it does look fast and most importantly, different.
the board behind the front wing is interesting as is the sidepods HEAVY undercut and floating look.
I am a bit tired of the livery. Not a very attractive car but it does look fast.
Todfod (@todfod) said on 4th February 2011, 11:37
Its seems like a make or break design. They definitely have come up with the most innovative and intricate chassis design. The airbox, sidepods and front wing look seriously radical. I have a gut feeling that this car is going to be really quick.
bananarama said on 4th February 2011, 12:37
Looks very radical indeed. Don’t really like the looks of it, but well, if its fast its good for them.
David BR said on 4th February 2011, 13:54
The sweeping body work between the pods and main chassis looks like it’ll improve their rear downforce a lot, something Lewis has complained about for years now. I kind of suspect the car has some clever (sneaky) hidden stuff too. But the main thing is it looks adaptable over the season, which was their sticking point last year. If you’ve got McLaren’s resources, you’ve got to be able to adapt.
S.J.M said on 4th February 2011, 11:28
Some big gap between the sidepods to the flooring…
spawinte said on 4th February 2011, 11:34
And the overhang runs all the way to the back. What you want to bet they have the exhausts set up to flow into that channel.
Adam Tate (@adam-tate) said on 4th February 2011, 12:40
Yes and if you look, there is a line where the floor and sidepods seem joined together, you can also see a spot that is likely where a front exhaust would be. I’m willing to bet that is a dummy panel and when removed there will be a deeply undercut channel to funnel the air from the front exhausts. I hope it is so because it would be genius, I’ve got a strong feeling McLaren is going to cause the other big teams some real pain this year.
Apeman said on 4th February 2011, 11:30
Cheers Keith! Any signs of a blown diffuser arrangement?
Silverkeg (@silverkeg) said on 4th February 2011, 11:32
When they were building the car it appeared to have regular exhaust exits, but i have no doubt they have the renault exhausts in development
anTONIo said on 4th February 2011, 13:08
‘Hope they’ll understand it ;-)
McG (@mcg) said on 4th February 2011, 13:37
I agree Silverkeg. The exhausts looked fake. They are too far away from the diffuser and they were a strange matt grey colour.
McLaren had me woried for a moment that they may have went conservative with their blown diffuser. Although how much time is there in the BD’s now that it’s single?
schooner said on 4th February 2011, 22:02
I’ve just read that the engine and exhaust headers shown here are, in fact, plastic. Amazing, really. Think of all the time and money that had to go into the manufacturing of these stage props.
gDog said on 5th February 2011, 2:54
Thats how they prototype anyway. I think James Allen had an article on his blog where his visited the Team Lotus (Lotus Racing at the time) new garage and they had all the components mocked up in plastic, engine and all! Really interesting read.