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[Nin-Chin]

McLaren has looked second best in my view...even Button admitted that they don't have as much rear downforce as the Merc does.

[CookinFlat6]

Button complaining about no grip

[racechick]

Oh you are kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!

[CookinFlat6]

Obviously in response to his rookie teammate being faster all test

I would watch that Jense, with Ron about, otherwise Jessica might be getting a permanent honeymoon holiday

[bud]

McLaren has looked second best in my view...even Button admitted that they don't have as much rear downforce as the Merc does.

Wouldn't that be a nice fairy tale, in their last year of a long partnership they are each other's biggest rival on track.

[CookinFlat6]

It would be nice to have a straight fight, but Mclaren have to start off stronger than Merc and have a much better chassis. because as the year goes on and Merc get more out of the engine they will help Mclaren less and less because of the Asian gentlemen likely to be spending more and more time around the team.

They would need to get a headstart because right now McLarens big asset is the reliable engine, so they need performance in abundance especially as they have to carry it into next year with the risk Honda are not up to scratch quickly.

[spankyham]

Mercedes won't get more out of the engine because of homologation. The potential to extract more will come from the computer controls and mapping. And from that side McLaren have all the knowledge. In fact it is Mercedes who is the client of McLaren. I don't see Ron rushing over to Paddy amd handing him the game winning programs and mappings.

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[What's Burning?]

Mercedes won't get more out of the engine because of homologation. The potential to extract more will come from the computer controls and mapping. And from that side McLaren have all the knowledge. In fact it is Mercedes who is the client of McLaren. I don't see Ron rushing over to Paddy amd handing him the game winning programs and mappings.

That's a lot of assuming at this point. We're not talking about an engine that's been around for 8 years, it's a clear slate, it's a turbo and the energy recovery bits are all new. I'd question the mapping suggestion when McLaren don't even make their own road engines so not sure where the experience for an all new power unit is coming from.

McLaren will leap up from where they ended last year because they're McLaren and because they've got it good with a reliable and strong engine, but I'm thinking they'll be fighting for third, not a championship.

But that's just as much conjecture on my part as you had assumptions on yours... Saturday/Sunday in Melbourne should clear things up a bit.

[CookinFlat6]

Mercedes won't get more out of the engine because of homologation. The potential to extract more will come from the computer controls and mapping. And from that side McLaren have all the knowledge. In fact it is Mercedes who is the client of McLaren. I don't see Ron rushing over to Paddy amd handing him the game winning programs and mappings.

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It would be pretty hard to install or implement computrer controls and mapping without handing them over to Paddy at this stage. RBR had control over the KERS last year but this time round the ERS (where all the clever stuff will have to talk) is firmly integrated in a sealed unit as the PU

McLarens SECU is like a digital wristwatch compared to what Merc have sealed up in the PU

Nope, what I mean is Merc will learn more and more how to get the best strategies out of using the 3 systems in concert, stuff like fuel management, braking, traction etc etc, and they will not be telling McLaren what the big boys get paid big bucks to work out

[bud]

They do kinda make their own road engines, they hired engine designers prior to their auto venture which lead to speculation about the f1 team making their own engines. They don't make the engines in house but they are in collaboration to McLaren specs.

But Spanky has a valid point about the electronic side of things. McLaren have a lot of experience not only from F1 but many other formulae. Though I don't think it will play a large role.

The other difference is lubricants, Mobil vs Petronas. They can play a part in performance.

[CookinFlat6]

McLaren do not have inhouse or contractual, the level of experience in ERS that Renault have. I do not think they will be coming up with ways of getting the best out of the new regs before Merc.

This is not even an assumption, its just common sense

[darwin dali]

The other difference is lubricants, Mobil vs Petronas. They can play a part in performance.

[What's Burning?]

The other difference is lubricants, Mobil vs Petronas. They can play a part in performance.

No doubt.... 0.01%

[CookinFlat6]

Merc have worked side by side with Petronas. I doubt Mobil will have a solution that is as good from watching from the sidelines. Or maybe McLaren have in house expertise there as well

[Hammer278]

The other difference is lubricants, Mobil vs Petronas. They can play a part in performance.

Petronas is a partner of Mercedes, won't their lubricant be tailor made for what the PU requires....Lowe has repeated time and time again that Petronas was involved from the start of the project and have contributed their inputs as well. No mention of Mobil anywhere naturally, Mobil's best bet is to get little samples from Petronas and copy it for 'best effects'.