McLaren "launched" their MP4-26 today in Berlin and immediately started telling us that what we saw was not the real deal, so what is the point? Launches are for sponsors, that is why the launch was in Berlin, for Vodafone. Still, there was enough interesting pieces to see on the new bodywork, and they have gone to the pull rod rear suspension revisited by Newey in the RB5. Forward exhausts are not ruled out, the exhaust and engine were plastic at the launch so we learned nothing. Bargeboards are back despite the rules supposedly being written to eliminate them. Why not write a rule that says "no bargeboards" instead of trying to do it by proscribing an envelope for the body work as I understand they did. So, make the body work narrower and there is room for bargeboards. It is like when they tried to ban ground effects and we saw the cars elevate themselves at the end of the race.
I think it was Ross Brawn who commented on the front exhaust and talked about the value of hot gas sealing the sides, like a skirt, and cold air running up the center. Can anyone expand on this, sounds like the sort of thing our whiz bang aerodynamicists would dream up.
As I said yesterday there seems no consensus coming out of Valencia about who was really the fastest car. Kubica was not very happy despite being quickest, too many problems with the car. As Vettel will tell him, being quick is OK as long as it keeps going. It will be interesting to hear any times from the Lotus test today, hopefully they will have fixed the power steering. Let us hope that they do not have these ongoing hydraulic problems like last year, I thought that was why they went to the Red Bull package. Apparently Tony Fernandes was offered $10m to settle the Lotus name dispute but turned it down. He must be pretty sure of the outcome of the court case, or else is a good gambler.
The Pirelli tires came in for some criticism, "like driving on ice" said Michael, for whom these tires were seen as the saviour of his comeback. They degrade pretty fast by all accounts, which it seems is what Bernie wanted, but he is not driving is he? Jenson thinks they will suit him, and with his style he may be right. There is a very clever Vodafone ad with Jenson and Lewis, let's hope their relationship is actually this good as it will be great for the team.
The Australian GP is to keep it's 5pm start time, despite the drivers complaining it was too dark at the end of the race last year and the FIA agreeing. What Bernie wants he gets, well almost, he wants it under lights. Add that to the deficit. Geelong, a city near Melbourne, has been suggested as an alternative to Albert Park. Now Geelong has wanted a street race since I was building Adelaide, but it is hard to see why building it in Geelong is any cheaper than in Albert Park? And it is still in Victoria with the same government footing the bill. More suckers for Bernie's show, the world is full of them.
Just to confuse us, or maybe so we are not confused, Peugeot has kept the 908 name for their latest Le Mans contender, and have retained the diesel engine without hybrid, but in V8 format similar to Audi. So now we have two very similar cars, and presumably the same close racing. Let's hope that the petrol cars really are equalized this year.
Adelaide,
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