Analysis
Formula 1
Revealed: McLaren’s clever trick to get around diffuser limits
Formula 1’s new aero rules aimed to cut downforce have been a big challenge for teams this winter as they have thrown everything at trying to recover the losses.
Matt Somerfield Jonathan Noble
Edited: Mar 13, 2021, 11:28 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
But while the focus for many outfits has been on the floor area, and some clever ideas have already appeared, McLaren appears to have stolen a march on rivals with a unique diffuser solution instead.
The package of rule changes for 2021 came in three parts – involving new requirements for the floor, the brake ducts and the diffuser.
For the diffuser, which is a powerful tool for harnessing airflow under the car to boost downforce, the FIA has mandated that the height of the dividing strakes between its channels are now 50mm shorter.
While the rule seems quite straightforward, there had been suspicions about McLaren having found a clever solution to the new rules when it was so secretive over this section of the car when it was first revealed.
Read Also:
- Ricciardo fastest on Saturday morning of F1 test, Hamilton spins
- LIVE: F1 Bahrain 2021 pre-season testing - Day 2
- Bahrain test: Latest F1 2021 technical developments
It took particular care that renders from its launch and the images released from it ‘filming day’ at Silverstone didn’t show off any of the important parts at the rear of the car.
With teams forced to reveal their definitive 2021 concepts in Bahrain testing, it has emerged that McLaren has indeed done something unique with its diffuser.
It appears to have employed a pretty neat trick that allows it to have two strakes below the theoretical cut line which has been created to reduce their height in the new regulations.
The ‘trick’ is that the aerodynamicists have extended the floor transition rearward to create these lower strakes than should be possible (white arrow).
These taller inboard strakes then gradually extrude upwards and outwards as the diffuser's ceiling expands outwards.
McLaren MCL35 diffuser detail
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
The expansion of the floor transition area is clear when we compare it to the design that the team used in F1 last season. (see above)
Red Bull Racing RB16B rear detail
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
It is also in contrast to solutions seen at other teams where the strake depth is uniform across the diffuser, as can be seen on the Red Bull.
The McLaren idea is one that will almost certainly be evaluated by other teams to see if there is much of a performance gain there.
But with just two days left of testing, and less than two weeks until the first race, it is unlikely rivals will be able to copy the concept just yet. So it may take some time for rivals to follow suit if it is deemed a good benefit.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Race of my Life: Murray Walker on the 1986 Spanish F1 GP
Next article Hamilton: ‘No point getting worried’ over Mercedes mileage
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Matt Somerfield
Gallery: How F1 tech evolved during the 2024 season
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
Gallery: How F1 tech evolved during the 2024 season
How McLaren’s rear wing push changed the game in F1
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 20, 2024
How McLaren’s rear wing push changed the game in F1
How 2026 F1 rules will help avoid identikit designs
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 16, 2024
How 2026 F1 rules will help avoid identikit designs
More from
McLaren
What's behind Oscar Piastri's split with Mark Webber – and what it means for his F1 career
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
4 d
What's behind Oscar Piastri's split with Mark Webber – and what it means for his F1 career
Latest news
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 1 h
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Myers Riley Motorsports adds Andretti alongside returning Fraga for 2027 IMSA GTD campaign
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 1 h
Myers Riley Motorsports adds Andretti alongside returning Fraga for 2027 IMSA GTD campaign
Las Vegas GP reveals neon sign-inspired trophy design
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
2 h
Las Vegas GP reveals neon sign-inspired trophy design
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe