The McLaren MP4-22 was revealed in testing at Circuit de Valencia in Spain on 15 January 2007. In its first race, the 2007 Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne, the car achieved second and fourth in qualifying and second and third places in the race, in the hands of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton respectively.Its development period commenced before its predecessor the MP4-21 had even turned a wheel. Initial sketches of aerodynamic concepts and discussions over the design of the clutch and gearbox took place back in December 2005.
During the design process, each of the car’s 11,000 components were reviewed in meticulous detail in the quest for improved performance, reliability and efficiency.
The MP4-22 represents the latest research and development concepts. Initial ideas were developed with Computer Aided Design (CAD) in mid-March 2006, with the first Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations running later that month. The wind tunnel programme commenced in May.
The design also incorporates three demanding new pieces of crash protection legislation. A totally new rear crash structure is noticeably wider and blunter than its predecessor. An extra 6mm-thick laminated panel is now also required to be bonded to the side of the driver cell to guard against penetration from another car or object. Frontal protection for the driver has been improved too, with the velocity of impact in the crash test raised from 14 to 15 metres per second, with a softer deceleration both front and rear.
Other regulation changes that have impacted on the design process include the use of a homologated engine for 2007, and the switch to a single tyre supplier.
The MP4-22 show different nose pillar arrangement rather than being connected to the wing’s main profile as before, the curved pillars are now attached to the lower of the wing’s two flaps.
McLaren introduce sidepod front winglets at the Bahrain test just a less rounded leading edge than other teams. The new shields help manage airflow in the critical area in front of the radiator inlets, raising aero efficiency through reduced turbulence and increased downforce.
Two winglets have been added to the side of the front section of the McLaren chassis, similar additions were used by Renault in a few races last year. These elements act as turning vanes, splitting the airflow directed towards the cockpit. They work in conjunction with the horn wings placed behind the cockpit and raise the quality of the airflow directed to the rear end of the car, hence improving overall aero efficiency.
The new McLaren front wing features instead a single profile, going directly from one end plate to the other, passing over the top of the nose. Particularly low nose eases the application of this solution.
McLaren introduced a revised rear wing at the Nurburgring, sees the extremities of the wing clearly bent upwards.
This configuration provides better management of the airflow of the wing reducing the turbulence. Specifically for medium- to high-downforce tracks.
The horn winglets of Nurburgring was removed in Hungary. The new configuration of the engine cover works in partnership with the heavily-revised rear wing adopted at the last race.
The Italian GP is the fastest circuit on the calendar and teams must therefore use a low-drag configuration to maximize performance. The McLaren introducing a revised front and rear wing.
This is the technical spec of the MP4-22.
- Type: Mercedes-Benz FO 108T
- No. of cylinders: 8
- Fuel: Mobil 1 Unleaded
- Lubricants: Mobil 1
- Engine Weight: 95 kg
- Gearbox Speeds: Seven forward and one reverse
- Semi-auto: Yes
- Driveshafts: McLaren
- Clutch: Hand-operatedChassis
- Chassis: McLaren moulded carbon fiber/aluminum honeycomb composite incorporating front and side impact structures. Contains integral safety fuel cell.
- Front Suspension: Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement.
- Rear Suspension: Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
- Suspension Dampers: KONI
- Electronics: McLaren Electronic Systems control units incorporating electronics for chassis, engine and data acquisition. McLaren Electronic Systems also supplies the electronic dash board, alternator voltage control, sensors, data analysis and telemetry systems.
- Bodywork Construction: One-piece sidepod and engine cover. Separate floor section, structural nose with integral front wing.
- Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
- Radios: Kenwood
- Race Wheels: Enkei
- Batteries: GS Yuasa Corporation
- Steering: McLaren power-assisted
- Instruments: McLaren Electronic Systems
- Adhesives: Henkel Technologies
- Brake Calipers: Akebono
Source: Mclaren