Mid season technical upgrades (New Mac fastest...)

[Adam43]

We have a few teams making a push mid season with decent upgrades to the car. All teams make upgrades, but these are being described as major. All are being done for different reasons too.

Williams
Upgrade in France (IIRC), what is bein updated. All anyone cares about is that nose (which won't change according to P Head and others won't change). What is happening under the skin.

McLaren
Upgrade in France. The biggest season upgrade car. New rear suspension, hopefully improvements to the engine, revisions to the sidepods and continual (like all races this year) changes to the front wing.

Toyota
Upgrade in Germany. Home race, just described in Autosport as a 'updated car'.

Any more information, any other teams?

[grumpy1]

Jaguar
New areo package and rear suspension mods and new engine managment system.

The Grumpy1

[Kicking-back]

The McLaren upgrades will make a big difference, Toyota's will make a reasonable difference and the others will make a small difference!

[Glen]

The Williams mods are, as Sam Michael said, pretty extensive - at least in terms of appearance. He warned that the results won't be as spectacular - rather a modest gain. Look good though - big changes to the sidepods and between the rear wheels:

[Kicking-back]

Those little wings above the front wheels look interesting.

[Adam43]

Thanks for that Glen, there are some decent changes there. Interesting that they have adopted something similar to the Ferrari gills.

Everytime I see a winglet I want them banned!

The front susepnsion aero additions. This is the most extreme add on we've seen round here for some time.

[SetikX]

1. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'14"513 213.112 Km/h 18

1. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'14"944 211.886 Km/h 12
2. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'15"402 + 0'00"458 11

Looks like a good show from the mac boys. Any comments? I know its early on; but any thoughts?

[alesi95]

Seems pretty sharp so far. Unlike the updated Williams, although frank likes to play it cool until qualifying.

[touringcarnut]

Impressive beginnings... I think anything is an imnprovement from the dog they've had so far this season.

[Adam43]

Originally posted by SetikX
1. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'14"513 213.112 Km/h 18

McLaren 1st and 5th (about where I expected Williams to be)
Toyota 6th and 7th (about where I expected McLaren to be)
Williams 11th and 20th (about where I expected Toyota to be)

[Kicking-back]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed till we see how it runs in qualifying and the race.

But as those of us who've kept the faith have said since the start of the season - "McLaren always bounce back"

[Red]

Goooo Macs!













Of course, Ferrari Go Faster, but seeing Macs back in business would be great!..

[Adam43]

McLaren seem cuatsiously happy. Here's some Ron speak.

"David's excellent grid position is a good reward for a lot of effort from the whole team,” he said. “Both our chassis and engine performance have taken a positive step forward which hopefully will manifest itself in better results for the rest of the season. Kimi's enthusiasm got the better of him, but I'm sure both drivers will have the potential for a good race result tomorrow."

http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=38273&s=5

[alfasud]

Is there a record for the maximum on a F1 car? If so, which car?

[Adam43]

Do you mean for the most number of upgrades?

If so it is difficult to tell, what constitutes an upgrade? I guess you can go for a change in the model muber of the car, but this depends on each team/manufacturer.

I guess you have to go back many years to find a car that was used for many seasons. The Lotus 72?

[Dani Filth]

yes Lotus 72... was used for about 5 years ..

[Teretonga]

McLaren M23 was also introduced in 1973, won the drivers championship in 74, 76. Was still used by the team in 1977.
Lotus 49 introduced in 67, won WDC in 68, won at Monaco in 1970. The Kit car era was THE era in F1 racing.

[Adam43]

I suppose the question is how much were these cars modified over that time.