A source within McLaren has suggested the team may start next season with the 2001 car because a “design flaw” is hampering the development of the MP4-17. Can McLaren – or Ferrari – afford a conservative approach at the start of the F1 season?
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A source within McLaren has suggested the team may start next season with the 2001 car because a “design flaw” is hampering the development of the MP4-17. Can McLaren – or Ferrari – afford this conservative approach at the start of the F1 season?
A report published on Formula1.com this week quoted the source saying next year’s McLaren challenger, probably to be called the MP4-17, may not be ready in time for the first Grand Prix on March 3 due to a flaw that has been found in the monocoque.
The basic structure of a Formula One car consists of a tub or monocoque, which is normally made of a blend of carbon-fibre and aluminium honeycomb. This tub is a one-piece construction that provides the primary protection for the driver.
According to the source, the apparent flaw may cause the monocoque to flex – which may cause the failure of certain suspension components.
Although not the same as this case, BAR experienced something similar with its BAR 003 this past season when the front of the monocoque flexed too much under the strain of braking. This changed the suspension geometry and caused the car to handle in unexpected ways.
The source said the flexing problem had been evident for about a month and the team was working on finding a solution in time to have the car ready for testing in mid-January. Should the team not be able to meet these testing dates, it is quite possible they will begin the season with an updated MP-16.
McLaren have denied rumours that the team may start the season with an old car. “We always start the season testing with the old car and new components, what we call the interim car. We did it last year and I think we did it the year before as well, so that is quite usual. We will start testing the new car as soon as it is ready. We plan to start the 2002 season in the new car,” a spokesman said.
But will the Woking-based team have a choice in the matter if the flaw is not sorted out in time? If McLaren do start next season with an updated 2001 car, it would not be the only top team that may do so.
Ferrari techinal director Ross Brawn and design supremo, South African-born Rory Byrne, have both publicly said that the defending constructor’s champions may start the new season with an updated 2001 car. Engineers have reportedly experienced problems with the revolutionary single-unit engine-gearbox fitted to the 2002 prototype.
Despite this, recent reports now indicate that Ferrari president, Luca di Montezemolo, has asked the team to do whatever is necessary to begin 2002 with its new car.
