MP4-18 fails again a FIA crash test

Schummy · 19 Jul 2003, 17:19 (Ref:665691)

LOL

This car is going to give us very funny moments. I am really looking for its debut.

Who is designing it? Jerry Newis?

I suppose Kimi is not very happy having to fight with an arm in his back, with the "old" MP4-17 (although improved)

RWC · 19 Jul 2003, 17:56 (Ref:665705)

Martin Whitmarsh just talked about it abit at one of the press conferences.One side impact area failed by 0.1 newtons or somesuch thing.Easily fixed and quite trivial,quite a few teams have to take their cars back after crash tests each year just for slight beefing up.

neilap · 19 Jul 2003, 18:45 (Ref:665722)

I dont know if I would want to drive that car. The 17 seems safer. I hope this is the last we hear of the 18. Mclaren will not win the title this year. Its stupid to bring a new car in now that will not be racing all of next year. What would be the point?

BD · 20 Jul 2003, 00:17 (Ref:665958)

The MP4-18 is revolutionary. The 19 will only be an evolution. The point is that they will have data for the next car which is based on the 18. Next year McLaren should be very strong. It doesnt matter what they call the next car. Either way it will be based on the 18.

Omega99 · 20 Jul 2003, 02:28 (Ref:665980)

If BD is right about the 18 being some kind of major step in design, then it's better to keep it under wraps until it's too late for other teams to steal the design. That way they'll truly dominate... if it works.

avsfan733 · 20 Jul 2003, 06:45 (Ref:666014)

I have issue with the fact that anytime anything fails in f1, at least with the top few teams, its called "revolutionary". Its not its a massive ****up

eein · 20 Jul 2003, 07:53 (Ref:666032)

It takes a good engineer to design a building that stays up. It takes a great engineer to design a building that JUST stays up.

And just becasue it is just on the edge of the crash test requirements does not make it unsafe - these tests are very extreme. You will find most of the top teams cars will just pass - if they did not, you would have to question the quality of the design.

Schummy · 20 Jul 2003, 09:04 (Ref:666050)

My theory is MP4-18 is a failure, and McLaren is holding up just because MP4-17 imptoved with some developments is doing a reasonably good job (and Bridgestone are behind Michelin and Williams had chassis troubles).

The 18 has not yet showed great speed in tests, AFAIK. Its debut has been delayed several times, and the failure to pass crash test *in July* is an astonishing sign of the delay they have with this car.

I know the real quality of 18 is probably unknown for us just now, but my bet is it is just a failure, as I don't see any indication against it. Anyway, I only bet $1 for my theory!

NiceGuyEddie · 20 Jul 2003, 09:06 (Ref:666051)

If the MP4/18 truly is a failure, who is going to take the blame? Newey?

903cc · 20 Jul 2003, 09:07 (Ref:666052)

I do not think they should be allowed to test the car till it has passed the crash test. Imagine the law suit brought by one of the familys of an F1 driver if the unthinkable happened and the car crashed in testing resulting in the loss of life of the driver. Then the car does not pass the FIA safety test later.

Schummy · 20 Jul 2003, 10:44 (Ref:666100)

I agree, 903cc. I remember De Angelis and Streiff accidents in testing sessions with safety standard below the official ones in GPs. Let's hope we never witness such an accident again.

MP4-18 has been tested at least three times: Paul Ricard in May, Jerez in June and recently in Montmeló, always by Wurtz, I think. It is curious as the car was tested two month ago, and yet the predicted date for debut is in September. I admit I'm amazed by this story.

In a heavily joking-minded commentary, I wonder if they "use" Wurtz to test it just in case... Again, that was JUST a joke!! =:-o

Tristan · 20 Jul 2003, 14:23 (Ref:666234)

MP4-19 is just a name. Whatever, the new McLaren looks phenomenal and I can't wait. Next year's just GOT to be a cracker!!

eein · 20 Jul 2003, 16:15 (Ref:666352)

I don't think anyone has to take any 'blame'. I don't see McLaren showing Newey the door just coz of this. If they don't get the issues sorted, it will simply become next year's car. This may involve sorting a few problems, or it may be substantial redesign, having learned whatever they can from this 'devlopment' one.

In my opinion, if they can get it legal to race, forget the reliability, I would like to see them give it to DC to race. He is not on it this season, and they could use him to 'test' the car in the races, and, if the reliability holds, then he can do what he can with it. What they could gain by doing this, I think is a better option than the low probability that DC will win lots with the current car and take the championship.

spearce · 24 Jul 2003, 10:53 (Ref:670148)

Oh dear, its all gone ron ..........
Sounds like they've failed a 3rd side impact test,
just before the BGP last week.

ASCII Man · 24 Jul 2003, 12:30 (Ref:670216)

Quote:

Originally posted by Tristan
MP4-19 is just a name. Whatever, the new McLaren looks phenomenal and I can't wait. Next year's just GOT to be a cracker!!

Which one looks amazing?
18? 19? 20?

Knowlesy · 24 Jul 2003, 12:47 (Ref:670240)

What will they use at the start of next year? MP4-17YMD (Yet More Development)?

ASCII Man · 24 Jul 2003, 12:49 (Ref:670248)

The MP4-27 will start next year as the MP4-18 failed several more crash tests and was abandoned as well as the MP4-19/20/21/22/23/24/25/26....

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