The McLaren MP4-29 shown at their
launch differed in Rear Wing specification to the one shown in the
video's that accompanied the launch. From this it was fairly safe to
assume that the physical item was a placeholder and the components
used at the first test were actually representative of the true
specification.
The use of a Y-Lon (inset) to add rigidity to
the rear wings structure and surround the exhaust outlet means the
team are able to minimise the method in which the rear wing is
affixed to the floor of the car. Allowing the team to use a thin
fixing point which mirrors the width of the serrations in the
endplate aft of it means that too aids in the flow regime. The ever
increasing length of the these serrations is aimed at creating an
airflow structure that upwashes, in an effort to replicate the Beam
Wing's flow structure (the beam wing cannot be used this season). In
order to retain the integrity of the endplates the team have placed
spars between the serrations that are also shaped to encourage the
upward directional flow.
The team have also retained the leading
edge tyre wake slots used during 2013 but have increased the width of
the outer entry point.
Matt, about Mclaren rear suspension fairings - how is this real gain in downforce? Doesn't it spin up the airflow too much? Somehow those parts don't look so aerodynamic in my eyes :P
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