McLaren MP4-27 launch – first pictures of McLaren’s 2012 F1 car

2012 F1 cars

February 1, 2012 at 11:05 am by
177 comments

McLaren MP4-27, 2012

McLaren MP4-27, 2012

McLaren have revealed their latest F1 contender.

The MP4-27 is the car the team hope will allow Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton to compete for the championship in 2012.

Button said: “As you can see, this is a beautiful car. Many you see will not be.”

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh added: “Cars really do look beautiful if they win races. But beauty is more than skin deep and there’s some beautiful engineering under the skin.”

Hamilton described the new car as a “strong base”. The 2008 world champion said: “I’ve been keenly following the development of MP4-27 over the winter and I’ve been really encouraged by the results and the data that the engineers have been showing me.

“I think we already had a very strong base to build upon: Jenson and I won six races with MP4-26 last year and I think we’ve been able to retain all the strengths and the reliability of that design while also incorporating lots of improvements and new ideas into the new car.

“Of course, the biggest changes for 2012 are the modifications to the exhaust regulations – that will reduce the downforce and grip that we had last year, but it just puts the emphasis on the designers to try and claw some of that back in other areas.”

According to McLaren, the new car features narrower rear bodywork, to improve airflow at the rear of the car. The revised cooling system re-directs air to the gearbox oil-cooler. The distinctive U-shaped sidepods of the 2011 car are gone, which McLaren say is a consequence of the FIA’s new exhaust regulations.

McLaren finished second in the championship for the last two years, and so have the numbers three and four on their cars once again. Whitmarsh said: “Having finished second in the constructors’ championship for the past two seasons, we’re determined to mount a sustained, hard challenge for both world titles.

“Our engineering team continues to develop and grow: while the key names who head the department are well known – Tim Goss, Paddy Lowe and Neil Oatley – it’s the strength in depth within the department that continually impresses. I’m extremely proud of our efforts to invest in and recruit young graduate engineers and to develop and school them in the ways of Formula 1.”

Test driver Oliver Turvey will be first to drive the car at Jerez next week.

More information on the 2012 F1 season.

2012 F1 cars


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Images © McLaren, F1 Fanatic

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177 comments on McLaren MP4-27 launch – first pictures of McLaren’s 2012 F1 car

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  1. Theo said on 1st February 2012, 11:26

    Nothing ridiculous on the MP4-27 from the initial shot, but I’d like to find out about those potentially illegal devices they’ve been talking about.

    Reply

  2. GT_Racer said on 1st February 2012, 11:27

    They apparently have the 2011 front nose on the car as well as a few other bits of 2011 bodywork.

    Car won’t be seen in full 2012 spec untill the final tests.

    Reply
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    Ivano (@ivano) said on 1st February 2012, 11:28

    Aside from the nose cone, it looks like a chromed Red Bull.

    Reply
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      BBT (@bbt) said on 1st February 2012, 11:50

      Not really.

      Reply
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        libertywho (@libertywho) said on 1st February 2012, 13:37

        http://mclarenf-1.com/index.php?page=srch&ch1=6&ch2=22

        Well it does.

        Reply
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          BBT (@bbt) said on 1st February 2012, 13:59

          Not to me, many differences

          Reply
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            libertywho (@libertywho) said on 1st February 2012, 14:27

            such as…

          • Banburyhammer1 said on 1st February 2012, 17:26

            Well for one, the Red Bull in the link seems to have a shorter wheelbase. That is a significant parameter – they couldnt have a longer wheelbase, then stick the RB7 bodywork over the top – itd be a disaster.

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          BBT (@bbt) said on 1st February 2012, 18:09

          Seriously?
          - The side-pods on the Mclaren tapper down quicker than last years RBR.
          - The exhausts are in the new position (obviously) coming out of a bump, totally different to last years RBR and we don’t know where/how they are on the new car
          - Rear crash structure is different arrangement.
          - The cooling outlets are totally different
          - Under cut looks much deeper, almost like a double floor.
          - Brake ducts different

          You can’t just look at a side view and say they are the same, even the side view shows some major differences. It pretty much as different considering the scope of the regulations.

          So what do you think is the same? Conventional sidepod? Everyone had those last year apart from Mclaren, and this year they are conventional but still significantly different to RBRs

          Reply
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          BBT (@bbt) said on 1st February 2012, 19:01

          PS All the intakes are totally different as well

          Reply
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    damonsmedley (@damonsmedley) said on 1st February 2012, 11:30

    Very speedy, Keith!

    So far, so good. I don’t mind it, actually. Much better than last year’s car and I personally like it more than the Caterham. Can’t wait for more angles. :)

    Reply
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    nemo87 (@nemo87) said on 1st February 2012, 11:30

    hrmmm.. after reading reports of a ‘radical’ new Mclaren, and that they are expecting a fight from other teams regarding design.. im struggling to see why..?

    looks a lot like the 2009 car..

    I’m hoping that they still havent put everything on the car yet to stop spying eyes.. time will tell :)

    lets go McLaren! :D

    Reply

  6. Chrizz said on 1st February 2012, 11:32

    One word: awesome!

    Reply

  7. William Graham said on 1st February 2012, 11:33

    Anybody else notice the possible blown beam wing ? It seems there is a direct attachment, rather than the ‘heat outlet’ hole other teams had in 2011.

    Reply
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    Dan Thorn (@dan-thorn) said on 1st February 2012, 11:35

    Urgh. The Caterham looks better. This reminds me of something Osella might have churned out in the mid 80s, or some kind of F3 car, what with that chunky, fat, stainless steel fridge of a nose. Still hate the colour scheme.

    Reply

  9. Dizzy said on 1st February 2012, 11:38

    Id have thought thats the 2011 nose, its too high to meet the 2012 regulations.

    Reply
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    Novotny (@novotny) said on 1st February 2012, 11:39

    The mirrors look much more stable – Massa should be pleased ;)

    Reply
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    Neil Davies (@neil-davies) said on 1st February 2012, 11:40

    Looks like they have chosen a very particular concept for the exhaust and how it blows the wing, let’s hope it’s one that actually works this time :) Other than that it does look a little, well dull.

    Reply
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    mclaren (@mclaren) said on 1st February 2012, 11:41

    Have a close look at the sidepods, it looks like there are two outlets, one on top of the other mmmm!

    Reply
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    pejte (@pejte) said on 1st February 2012, 11:41

    Looks extremly sexy :D

    Reply
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    Slr (@slr) said on 1st February 2012, 11:44

    I don’t really have anything positive to say about this car, the Caterham looks better.

    Reply
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    sibko (@sibko) said on 1st February 2012, 11:46

    Is the tray underneath the nose part of the display or is this something new?

    i’ve been trying to find it in last years pictures but cant see anything like it

    Reply
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