McLaren MP4-27 launch

[niky]

Those exhausts shrouds will probably be banned, given how strict the FIA are being on the directing of exhaust gases. I also thought the last 100mm had to be fully exposed, or is it just cylindrical?

Those exhaust shrouds are probably exhaust pipe proxies.

In other words, they're aligned and pointed in directions that the final exhaust may be aligned and pointed, giving McLaren the ability to change virtual exhausts easier than if garage mechanics have to cut and tack weld new pipe on for every change. Whatever is selected as final will be made in pipe by Australia.

 

[Pezzarinho17]

Those exhaust shrouds are probably exhaust pipe proxies.

In other words, they're aligned and pointed in directions that the final exhaust may be aligned and pointed, giving McLaren the ability to change virtual exhausts easier than if garage mechanics have to cut and tack weld new pipe on for every change. Whatever is selected as final will be made in pipe by Australia.

This would make a lot of sense, though the section doesn't look like it was built rapidly or is adaptable. Scarbs pointed out that the section could be easily unfixed and replaced though, wonder if that will also be the same come Australia. Surely its best to integrate it into the engine cover.

 

[Griffith500]

So whats the deal with the Raised T-bar? Do they need a better antenna for sending more info during testing, or is it like a Stabilizer-type deal?

I know all cars run this, just curious as to what it is.

And with that pointed exhaust... Wouldnt that make the rears last not nearly as long? Hamilton doesn't necessarily need help ripping his Pirelli's to shreds. And I would imagine that JB, who is pretty easy on tyres, wouldnt be too keen on having a car which used them up faster.

There appears to be a pitot tube, or something along those lines, on top of it, which is probably for checking the "free-stream" air velocity. It may be more accurate / representative than the reading from the nose-mounted pitot, which could be affected by the front wing and the nose itself. Either that, or there is something happening up there that McLaren are interested in.

 

[hawkeye122]

There appears to be a pitot tube, or something along those lines, on top of it, which is probably for checking the "free-stream" air velocity. It may be more accurate / representative than the reading from the nose-mounted pitot, which could be affected by the front wing and the nose itself. Either that, or there is something happening up there that McLaren are interested in.

After a closer inspection of the Pics, it does appear to be a pitot tube. I feel a bit daft for not recognizing that.

 

[niky]

This would make a lot of sense, though the section doesn't look like it was built rapidly or is adaptable. Scarbs pointed out that the section could be easily unfixed and replaced though, wonder if that will also be the same come Australia. Surely its best to integrate it into the engine cover.

When they're final, they will be.

A shroud that can be unscrewed is much easier than an exhaust pipe that has to be welded on. You can test multiple iterations in one day as opposed to having to wait for the exhaust to cool down enough to work on, then rewelding the tip.

Of course, if you had the pipe on, you could simply bang on it with a hammer till it's pointing where you want it to go...