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[Mikep99]

McLaren introduce Honda-like elephant ears

Today, the McLaren Mercedes team have tested Honda-like elephant ears during the test session at Jerez. The wings rise out of the top sides of the nose on the car and it is possible that the team will use them during the Hungarian Grand Prix. The new ears are part of the big MP4-23 development push to maintain Hamilton's first place in the championship and move up in the Constructors' Championship.

[McLaren Fan]

Here's Rivelution's post on the matter:

McLarens now tries the nose wings.

McLaren are considering introducing a radical-looking update to their car for the Hungarian Grand Prix after trying out their version of nose horn wings in testing at Jerez on Thursday.

The team are undertaking a big development push of their MP4-23 to maintain the edge they currently appear to have over rivals Ferrari.

And after evaluating a shark fin engine cover in Hockenheim testing, the team surprised observers on the third day of this week's test at Jerez in Spain by unveiling bold-looking nose wings fitted to their car .

The sculpted wings, which rise out of the top sides of the nose on the car, are based on a concept used by BMW Sauber and Honda Racing.

McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh confirmed that the team are thinking about racing with the wings soon - and possibly as early as the Hungarian Grand Prix.

"We've been evaluating a number of different aerodynamic solutions during recent tests, running a dorsal (shark) fin in Hockenheim and trying these refined antler wings at Jerez this week," he told autosport.com.

"At the moment, we are undertaking a very heavy development schedule ahead of the traditional summer break and, while we have yet to confirm plans to run the antler wings in Hungary, they remain an option for both Budapest and the races later this summer."

Here's a link that shows a good picture of the nose wings.
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/7/8148.html

[Mikep99]

OH

[McLaren Fan]

OH

What for? The technical development deserved a thread of its own. I was just nabbing the quote so people could see them together.

[bud]

there goes McLaren looking one of the sleekest cars!

[7UpJordan]

Ugly. Stay calm... 2009 is coming...

[Hanwombat]

Thats not ugly, just different and a nice different

[bud]

more shark fins

[McLaren Fan]

Thats not ugly, just different and a nice different

No, it's ugly. If it maintains McLaren's superiority over Ferrari, then I'll be able to suppress my gag reflex.

[welshie]

I dont think it's ugly to be honest, looks like angry eyebrows . . . . grrrrrr

[McLaren Fan]

I dont think it's ugly to be honest, looks like angry eyebrows . . . . grrrrrr

So, a little bit like Alonso last season at McLaren. Perhaps that's where the inspiration came from!

[Denthúl]

Thats not ugly, just different and a nice different

No, no - it's ugly!

I'll be the first to admit it, and I like the two teams with the ugliest cars on the grid! BMW's challenger for this year is disgusting. I much prefer the testing version that doesn't have the antlers on the nosecone. And the Honda was brilliant-looking before they stuck the 'bunny ears' on. The McLaren is no different

I still think that the Williams is the best-looking car this year for a variety of reasons. Now if only it would go a little faster...

[7UpJordan]

I still think that the Williams is the best-looking car this year for a variety of reasons. Now if only it would go a little faster...

And it will if they fix the aerodynamics, but fortunately we're now coming up to tracks with tight corners where mechanical grip is more important, and that's where Williams will be able to claw back lost ground. Nico got 4th on the grid at Hungary last year so I'm hoping he can repeat that again. Valencia is a street circuit, Spa is going to be tough unless the aero gets fixed, Monza is reliant on mechanical grip as well and then there's Singapore's street circuit. So hopefully the next few races will turn Williams' season around.

[Kiwi_Chris]

For the love of god 2009 cant come soon enough, this sort of s*** is ugly as hell on the cars - i blame tyrell for starting F1 on the downward spiral of tacked on ugly as f*** wings in 96..

[McLaren Fan]

For the love of god 2009 cant come soon enough, this sort of s*** is ugly as hell on the cars - i blame tyrell for starting F1 on the downward spiral of tacked on ugly as f*** wings in 96..

I completely agree. It's disappointing that the FIA have allowed the situation to go on for so long. It's been apparent from as far back as 2003 that this aerodynamic junk was affecting the already limited overtaking in Formula One. More focus should have been shifted to making the cars rely more on mechanical grip since then. In fact, you could make a good argument to say that the new rules for the 1998 season were the beginning of all of this and should never have been introduced.