• Italian Grand Prix

McLaren revises floor to meet Monza tests

ESPNF1 Staff
September 8, 2010 « Spa problems solved - Alonso | »
The front part of the McLaren floor has been revised to make sure it complies with tests © Sutton Images
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McLaren has had to make some changes to the front part of the floor of its car to ensure it complies with stricter flexi tests at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix.

After the front wing endplates of the Red Bull and Ferrari were seen running very close to the track at the Hungarian Grand Prix, a number of teams asked for clarification about the amount of flex allowed in both front wings and the floor of the car. By running the front wing lower more downforce can be generated and it was credited as one of the main reasons behind Red Bull's dominance at the Hungaroring.

At the Belgian Grand Prix stricter wing tests were implemented, but at Monza new floor tests will be introduced to police flexing in that area of the car.

"Firstly on front wings, we haven't had to make any modifications to the front wings in terms of body work flexibility," chief engineer Tim Goss told the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Phone-in. "The front wing options that we have are a dedicated solution that we've had so far this season.

"As far as the bib [front part of the floor] is concerned, the new aspect load test is a little challenging and we've had to make some minor modifications to make sure that we're well inside the limits that the FIA has set on that. So we've modified our bib, taking the opportunity to turn it into a minor performance upgrade as well."

However, Goss believes most teams will have to make some kind of adjustment to their cars.

"As far as the off-set bib test is concerned, then I'd expect most teams would probably have had to make changes to comply with that. As far as articulated planks are concerned - there are a number of teams that run floor skids in multiple pieces - and the FIA have tried to ban articulated skid blocks and I imagine other teams would have to make modifications to comply with that."

After the Belgian Grand Prix Jenson Button suspected the Red Bull's wing was not flexing as much as it had in Hungary. Goss added: "As far as the wings are concerned the evidence from Spa was, you'd have to say, was fewer cars running more flexible wings, although it's very subjective."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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