McLaren MP4-28
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| Category | Formula One | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | McLaren | ||||||||
| Designer(s) | Paddy Lowe (Technical Director)[1] | ||||||||
| Predecessor | McLaren MP4-27 | ||||||||
| Technical specifications[2] | |||||||||
| Chassis | Moulded carbon fibre composite monocoque incorporating front and side impact structures | ||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Independent suspension, pullrod activated torsion springs | ||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Independent suspension, pullrod activated torsion springs | ||||||||
| Engine | Mercedes-Benz FO 108Z 2.4 L (146 cu in) V8 (90°). Naturally aspirated, 18,000 RPM limited with KERS, mid-mounted. | ||||||||
| Transmission | McLaren seven-speed (plus one reverse gear) hand-operated, seamless shift sequential gearbox | ||||||||
| Weight | at least 642 kg (1,415 lb) (including driver)[3] | ||||||||
| Fuel | ExxonMobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel) Mobil Synergy Fuel System Mobil 1 lubrication | ||||||||
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)[4] Enkei wheels (front and rear): 13" | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Vodafone McLaren Mercedes | ||||||||
| Notable drivers | 5.  Jenson Button[5]6.  Sergio Pérez[6] | ||||||||
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The McLaren MP4-28[7] is a Formula One racing car designed and built by the McLaren team for use in the 2013 Formula One season. It will be driven by 2009 World Champion Jenson Button and Sergio Pérez,[5][6] who joined the team after Lewis Hamilton moved to Mercedes.[8] The car was launched on 31 January 2013,[7][9] as part of the team's fiftieth anniversary celebrations.[10]
Design
By the team's own admission, the launch version of the MP4-28 contained some parts—including the exhaust, floor and front wing assembly—that had been carried over from its predecessor, the MP4-27, but new parts would be added throughout the winter testing programme. Despite the outward similarities to the MP4-27, Jenson Button described the internal design of the MP4-28 as having been completely re-worked.[11]
The MP4-28 features significant revisions when compared to the MP4-27 as the team felt that despite winning the final two races of the 2012 season, the MP4-27 had reached the end of its development cycle, and that starting over would give the MP4-28 a wider scope for development.[12] The sidepods were revised to improve airflow over the rear of the car, with the rear suspension geometry completely reconfigured to be more aerodynamic whilst adopting a pullrod system similar to the system used on the Ferrari F2012 and incorporating a wishbone system designed to manage rear tyre wear by adding camber to the rear wheels as the speed increases, and relax as the car decelerates.[13] The car's centre of gravity was altered by reducing the weight of the rollhoop and engine cover, allowing the team to raise the car's nose. The profile of the chassis was streamlined with the addition of a "vanity plate" to cover the "stepped" design seen throughout 2012.[2] By contrast, the Lotus E21 was launched without a vanity plate, as the team felt that it was a purely cosmetic feature that added unnecessary weight;[14] McLaren, on the other hand, described the weight change and aerodynamic benefits as a "non-issue".[2]
References
- ^ "McLaren says Lowe is staying for 2013". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
- ^ a b c Collins, Sam (31 January 2013). "McLaren MP4-28". Racecar Engineering. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
- ^ "FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations", formula1.com, Formula One Group, retrieved 7 January 2013
- ^ Noble, Jonathan; Beer, Matt (11 December 2013). "F1 teams expert enough to avoid early tyre struggles – Ross Brawn". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ^ a b Elizalde, Pablo (5 October 2011). "Button secures new multi-year contract at McLaren". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
- ^ a b Collantine, Keith (28 September 2012). "Perez takes place of Mercedes-bound Hamilton at McLaren". F1 Fanatic. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ^ a b "McLaren to launch 2013 car on January 31". formula1.com. Formula One Management. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ^ Cary, Tom (28 September 2012). "Lewis Hamilton to join Mercedes in $100m move from McLaren, signing a three-year deal". Telegraph.co.uk. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ^ Esler, William (20 December 2012). "McLaren will launch the MP4-28 on Thursday 31st January". Sky Sports F1. BSkyB. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ^ "2013: celebrating 50 years of McLaren". mclaren.com. McLaren Group. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
It's all a long way from that small south London lock-up back in 1963. But Bruce wouldn't wish for us to merely look backwards without looking forwards, too. Accordingly, echoes of our past will reverberate throughout a series of unique events and celebrations to be held across our anniversary year. From the McLaren 50 logos we'll proudly sport on our team shirts, through our specially commissioned heritage video features, to the launch of our new MP4-28 Formula 1 car with Jenson Button and Sergio Perez on January 31st, every lap, every corner, every mile and every road we take will be an opportunity to revel in McLaren's present while recalling our 50-year past.
- ^ "McLaren Mercedes reveals the MP4-28". Speedcafe.com. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ^ Collantine, Keith (31 January 2013). "McLaren MP4-28 and MP4-27 compared". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
- ^ Anderson, Gary (31 January 2013). "Formula 1 – Gary Anderson analyses new McLaren MP4-28". BBC F1. BBC. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ^ Collantine, Keith (28 January 2013). "Lotus E21 launch: First pictures and video". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
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