McLaren to modify car ahead of Monza
In a recent statement, McLaren have revealed plans to work on the model MP4-25’s floor before hitting the circuit at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile plans to conduct rigorous floor testing at the venue this weekend, and McLaren are anxious to be prepared.
The MP4-25 chief engineer Tim Goss explained in a phone-in conference that the “new offset load test is a little challenging. We’ve had to make some minor modifications just to make sure we’re well inside the deflection limits the FIA are going to set on that. We’ve modified our bib and taken the opportunity to roll it up into a minor performance upgrade as well.”
In an exclusive interview with formula1.com, Goss also discussed McLaren’s prospects in the up and coming race at Monza. “I think, in my opinion, it’s likely to be a very tight grid,” Goss mused. “I think most people would say we’re unlikely to see Red Bull Racing with the substantial advantage they had at the Hungarian Grand Prix. I bet Monza will be very tight. We have a very efficient car aerodynamically so we think we have a good chance of occupying the front row and a good chance of challenging for a race win.”
FIA will test the weight applied to the side of the floor and the centre of the car, to make sure that it does not flex beyond 5mm after loading 200 kg. Formula1 also reveals that “As well as the new test on the side of the floor, it is now prohibited to run a section of plank less than 100cm in length. The plank is a hard wooden strip (also known as a skid block) fitted down the middle of a car’s underside.”
Goss believes that these new regulations will force other teams to modify their cars, and sees this as positive. “I think as far as the offset bib test is concerned, then I would expect most teams would have had to have made changes to comply with that. As far as articulated planks are concerned, there are a number of teams who run floor skids in multiple pieces. The FIA have tightened up on that to ban articulated skid blocks, and I imagine other teams will have to make modifications for that.”
Indeed McLaren will be looking to capitalize on any technical advantage they have, and combine that with the talents of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button to score another potential podium finish and secure them at the top of the Team Championship. The Italian Grand Prix will be held this weekend.
Tags: