F1 announced last March that teams will continue to use their 2020 cars in 2021 to save development costs and provide financial aid due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teams were allowed to use two development tokens for major car upgrades that McLaren had to spend on assembling the new Mercedes engine after the switch was scheduled for 2021 before the transfer was announced.
While most teams have kept around 60% of their 2020 cars for 2021, McLaren has revealed that the size of the Mercedes engine switch means that the majority of its MCL35M chassis is brand new.
“While every other team will carry over most of their car from last year this year, our switch to Mercedes powertrain means that for us that is not the case,” said Piers Thynne, McLaren’s production manager.
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“It has caused a tremendous amount of change and essentially we have built a new car. The number of new parts on the MCL35M is roughly the same as when building the MCL35.
“The rear of the chassis and the bell housing around the engine have changed significantly to adapt to the new engine.
“The change in unit changed the architecture of the car and the way everything is packaged, so the entire cooling layout and all piping, be it liquid or air, as well as all electrical harnesses and control boxes have changed.
“There are some key elements of the carryover when we enter the cost cap.
“The FIA has drawn up a list of Transitional Carry Over (TCO) components that are outside of this year’s cost cap. These are parts that can be used in 2021 if they were used on last year’s car.
“We have pushed these TCO regulations to the absolute maximum so that we can take on as much as possible, such as gear internals and some suspension components, so we don’t have to spend part of our 2021 budget on their design and production. “
McLaren homologated the design of the MCL35M in December, with drivers Lando Norris and new signing Daniel Ricciardo testing it for the first time in pre-season test drives in March.
The team’s focus has now shifted to the design of its 2022 car since the aerodynamic development window was opened on January 1st.
Thynne said McLaren is “able to hit the ground” with the wind tunnel program for its 2022 car.
“As for the actual production of the 22-series car, it is still very early and the focus is mainly on parts to be tested in the wind tunnel,” said Thynne.
“As aerodynamic design matures, we will produce more and more aero components for wind tunnel testing.
“These tests are really important: it’s about finding out what works and what doesn’t, because when we build the 22-series car, we want it to be right the first time.
“The test pieces should go to their aerodynamic limits, because that’s how you gain performance. If they work, then it’s great. If not, we can always take a step back with the actual series part.
“You have to shoot for the stars and that’s exactly what you did to get back to the top of the grid.”
