News On F1 - Formula 1 News, Results, Information and Statistics

Formula 1 Store
F1 Tickets, Tours, Gear
F1 Books
& Biographies

Formula 1 News - January 2006
McLaren Mercedes

F1 Merchandise
Main Page
Formula 1 News
2011 F1 Schedule
2011 F1 Line-up
F1 Teams
F1 Drivers
10 'n' Pole
Register - Submit
F1 Regulations
The Forums
Live F1 Coverage
Motorsport Shop
UK - USA
Motorsport Calendar

F1 Merchandise UK
F1 Merchandise USA

F1 Tours
F1 Tickets
F1 Diecast
F1 Videos
F1 Games
F1 Trivia
NewsOnF1 on Twitter
NewsOnF1 Blogs
MotoGP Tickets
Past Formula 1 Seasons
2010 F1 Results
2009 F1 Results
2008 F1 Results
2007 F1 Results
2006 F1 Results
2005 F1 Results
2004 F1 Results
2003 F1 Results

2002 F1 Results

2001 F1 Results

2000 F1 Results

1999 F1 Results

1998 F1 Results

1997 F1 Results
Links
Translate
Search
Contact Us
About
Archives
Your Say
Diagnosis & Prognosis
By the Heretic
Controversy Corner
The Real Race
By the Quali-flyer
F1 Testing
F1 Team Reports
8 'n' Pole
2010 World Cup
2006 World Cup


 
04 January: Q&A WITH JONATHAN NEALE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF McLAREN RACING

During the build-up to the 2006 Formula One season, Team McLaren Mercedes will be providing updates on the activities of the team and the development process of MP4-21. In addition to information from the tests and the Team McLaren Mercedes drivers, this will include Q&A's from members of the McLaren Racing technical team.

To start the series, Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of McLaren Racing, discusses the overall development programme of the MP4-21.

What is your specific role within the MP4-21 project?

As Managing Director, I am ultimately responsible for the performance of McLaren Racing; I have to make sure we deliver. My specific role with MP4-21 is to make sure we have a clear set of targets and goals for the car; this doesn’t mean that I can write the specification for the car but that I make sure one is created, which we all believe is competitive, within the McLaren Racing chief engineers system.

I'm also in charge of making sure the resource is applied correctly and the programme is in place to achieve the technical specification. We need to be goal driven in terms of timescale, when do the critical decisions have to be made, on what basis we are going to make them and who makes those decisions.

How has on track testing been progressing?

On track testing at this time of year is very important to us. We have been running an interim car, which is the 2005 chassis fitted with a version of the Mercedes-Benz V8 engine. Our key focus has been engine development and cooling systems work, alongside significant tyre evaluation with Michelin, with reference the change back from tyres that run a race distance to tyres that operate for a series of short sprints. The programme is progressing well, however it is early days, and the specification of the chassis and the engine is changing a lot at the moment as we gather more intelligence.

Looking more specifically at on-track work, the test that began on Tuesday 13th December in Jerez, there were a number of suspension items, body work and R&D concepts that we were working on with the interim car, which are very relevant to the baseline specification for MP4-21. After the Jerez test, work continued apace at the McLaren Technology Centre, with Manufacturing and Car Assembly teams having just one and a half days off over the Christmas holiday, along with members of the design team and senior management. Track testing will recommence next Wednesday, 11th January in Jerez.

When did the team first start testing components for MP4-21?

The reality is that because we are developing and testing general concepts, and specific components, on a continuous basis it is not possible to state a definitive date. The key milestone in the testing would be in September when we debuted the V8 engine at Silverstone.

When do you expect MP4-21 to debut on track?

Presently, MP4-21 is scheduled to go on track mid-late January, however as always this is subject to change as we finalise the baseline specification.

What is the overall schedule for the testing programme in the build-up to Bahrain?

Following the pre-Christmas tests, we are currently planning to test every available week in the run-up to the Bahrain Grand Prix starting in week two in Jerez. Once the new car has been released, our primary focus will be durability testing, proving the software, the systems and the 11,500 car components, 90% of which have changed from MP4-20. Then we will start to look at phasing in upgrade packages onto the car. For example the aerodynamic specification was set in late October / early November time and since then the aero team has been working on a series of performance upgrades to bring on line and this will take place before the cars leave for the first Grand Prix in Bahrain and then continue throughout the season.

Latest Formula 1 News from McLaren Mercedes:

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes unveiled in Valencia (15/12/2007)
McLaren MP4-22 Technical Specifications (15/12/2007)
McLaren MP4-22 Design Philosophy (15/12/2007)
Team Personnel Q & A's (15/12/2007)
Lewis Hamilton to partner Fernando Alonso in 2007 (24/11/2006)
de la Rosa replaces Montoya (11/07/2006)
Valencia Test Notes (15/02/2006)
Valencia Test Notes (14/02/2006)
Jerez Test Notes (11/02/2006)
McLaren unveil new livery for 2006 (10/02/2006)

More news from McLaren Mercedes F1

Back To Top


Google
 
Web NewsOnF1.com
NewsOnF1.net (Forum)


The Official Tribute To Ayrton Senna
1960 To 1994


Official 2004 F1 Season Review

Autocourse 2004 Annual

F1 World Championship Yearbook 2004


Formula 1 Technical Analysis: 2003

The Science of
F1 Design

Race Car Chassis:
Design and Construction


Going Faster: Mastering
the Art of Race Driving


Auto Magazines

Formula 1 Titles

Race Driving Titles

Race Car Design Titles
Ayrton Senna

Past Formula 1 Drivers