Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-22 Design Philosophy
The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-22, raced by Fernando Alonso
and Lewis Hamilton, features some advanced engineering concepts.
With some novel aerodynamic solutions, allied to unprecedented
levels of efficiency in its crash structures, the car showcases
the engineering strength in depth of McLaren Racing and Mercedes-Benz
High Performance Engines.
Although Formula 1 teams are admired throughout industry
for their leading edge technology and short development times,
long-term planning has also been crucial in the construction
of the MP4-22.
Its development period commenced before its predecessor the
MP4-21 had even turned a wheel. Initial sketches of aerodynamic
concepts and discussions over the design of the clutch and
gearbox took place back in December 2005. During the design
process, each of the car’s 11,000 components were reviewed
in meticulous detail in the quest for improved performance,
reliability and efficiency.
The MP4-22 represents the latest research and development
concepts. Initial ideas were developed with Computer Aided
Design (CAD) in mid-March 2006, with the first Computational
Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations running later that month.
The wind tunnel programme commenced in May.
The design also incorporates three demanding new pieces of
crash protection legislation. A totally new rear crash structure
is noticeably wider and blunter than its predecessor. An extra
6mm-thick laminated panel is now also required to be bonded
to the side of the driver cell to guard against penetration
from another car or object. Frontal protection for the driver
has been improved too, with the velocity of impact in the
crash test raised from 14 to 15 metres per second, with a
softer deceleration both front and rear.
Other regulation changes that have impacted on the design
process include the use of a homologated engine for 2007,
and the switch to a single tyre supplier.
The construction and profile of the Bridgestone Potenza tyres
have had an influence on the MP4-22’s chassis dynamics
and significantly the aerodynamics. The tyres affect the flow
structures downstream of the front wheels, and the team’s
engineers have used CFD software – for the simulation
of heat and fluid flow – to devise the optimum solution
to harness the new rubber.
With such detailed simulation increasingly vital in Formula
1, the infrastructure, manufacturing capacity and technical
tools available to the design team at the McLaren Technology
Centre have played an important role. The MP4-22’s development
involved the generation of generation of 4,500 component and
3,500 tooling drawings, and the aerodynamics development is
very demanding with a continuous program which requires an
entirely new set of wetted surfaces for the launch car, with
around a third being updated before the first race. This is
followed up with new aero components being brought to the
car every 3-4 weeks throughout the season.
Following the MP4-22's first test in January 2007, development
will continue apace on the track and at the McLaren Technology
Centre before it's race debut on Sunday 18th March at the
Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, Australia.
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