Bell unhappy with ECU - slams Micro$oft/McLaren

[darwin dali]

F1live: The initial implementation of the McLaren system met with consternation, and a Renault document recently pointed out that "last summer some teams could hardly start their V8s when they tried the standard ECU for the first time."

Renault is particularly annoyed because its Magneti Marelli electronics system was until 2007 regarded as arguably the best in Formula One.

"For a team like ours, which designed a bespoke system, it's a backward step," Bell said on Wednesday.

He added that it is 'obvious' that teams with prior knowledge of the McLaren ECU will have an advantage in 2008, primarily because adapting to the system 'involved a huge amount of work.'

"All this extra work meant that resources were allocated to an area other than performance," Bell said. "It's as if we had to talk to the car in a new language with a new philosophy."

He also said the McLaren ECU is simply not as good.

"The system has lower performance," Bell insisted. "Its capacity, complexity and functions are not on the same level."


I've never understood why McLaren's ECU got picked - now I'm even less pleased with the choice.

So, assuming he's correct with his assessment that the ECU is inferior to Magneti Marelli, this makes it even more impressive how competitive McLaren were last season...

[Woodchip]

Or, DD, to look at it the other way...

If Magneti Marelli's ECU is so superior then either the Renault engine, or Aero package must have been shocking!!

[darwin dali]

That too

[bud]

Bells just whinging! how dare he bad mouth a Microsoft branded piece of computery! how dare he! must be a Mac user!!!

[darwin dali]

Ha ha! (I think?)