2009 F1 Season: The new McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 

Written by Nick on January 16th, 2009 at 2:08 pmLast Update: January 16th, 2009 at 2:08 pm

McLaren Mercedes MP4-24Following Scuderia Ferrari’s F60 and Toyota’s TF109 car launches this week, the McLaren-Mercedes F1 team unveiled this morning at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking its 2009 challenger: the McLaren-Mercedes MP4-24. Unveiled by 2008 F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton and his teammate Heikki Kovalainen, the new car bears little resemblance to its world championship-winning predecessor MP4-23 due to the introduction of a raft of new rules that have reshaped Formula 1 ahead of the 2009 season.

 MP4-24

Featuring heavily revised bodywork, re-sculpted front and rear wings, slick tyres and a KERS, the McLaren-Mercedes MP4-24 has been in development since September 2007 in order to successfully accommodate the huge changes to the technical regulations. The Woking based team has already completed two MP4-24 chassis and begins publicly testing at the Autodromo do Algarve circuit in Portugal, next Monday. Pedro de la Rosa will test the MP4-24 the first two days, while Lewis Hamilton on Wednesday and Heikki Kovalainen on Thursday.

 MP4-24

“The arrival of a new car is always an emotional moment for any racing driver – and the unveiling of MP4-24 is even more special for me, not only because the car looks absolutely stunning but also because it carries the world champion’s number one,” said Lewis Hamilton during the presentation. “I believe this year’s world championship is open, given the new rule changes and that’s a great prospect for every Formula 1 fan. Personally, I’m hoping for another successful season and the chance to once again fight for the title – until the final race if necessary, but preferably before!”

MP4-24

“I’m fortunate enough to have watched behind the scenes as this year’s car has taken shape and I’ve been amazed at just how hard everybody in Woking, Brixworth and Stuttgart has worked,” added Heikki Kovalainen. “Over the winter, I also feel like I’ve had the opportunity to prepare fully for the year ahead: I’ve been busy training and working with my engineers to ensure we start the season as strongly as possible. With so many new rules, adapting quickly will be essential and I feel more prepared than ever for the new season.”

 MP4-24

“Despite our victory in the 2008 drivers’ world championship we have taken nothing for granted in our preparations for the season ahead,” stated Ron Dennis. “Indeed, if anything, our efforts to fully understand this period of huge regulatory change have been more thorough and concerted than ever before. And while the scale of the technical changes makes it difficult to accurately assess the true competitive outlook of the year ahead, as a team we can feel proud of our efforts and look forward to another close season of Formula 1 motor racing. As ever, we exist to win and our target remains the successful acquisition of both this year’s drivers’ and constructors’ world titles.”

McLaren-Mercedes MP4-24 Technical Specifications:

  • Chassis: McLaren moulded carbon fibre/aluminium 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 dashboard, alternator voltage control, sensors, data analysis and telemetry systems
  • Bodywork: One-piece engine cover and sidepod covers. Separate floor section, structural nose with integral front wing
  • Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
  • Radio: Kenwood
  • Race wheels: Enkei
  • Brake calipers: Akebono
  • Brake master cylinders: Akebono
  • Batteries: GS Yuasa Corporation
  • Steering: McLaren power-assisted
  • Instruments: McLaren Electronic Systems

Engine:

  • Type: Mercedes-Benz FO 108W
  • Capacity: 2.4 litres
  • Cylinders: 8
  • Maximum rpm: 18,000 (FIA regulatory limit for 2009)
  • Bank angle: 90°
  • Piston bore maximum: 98mm (FIA regulation)
  • Number of valves: 32
  • Fuel: Mobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
  • Lubricants: Mobil 1 – for higher performance, lower friction and better wear resistance
  • Weight: 95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight)

Transmission:

  • Gearbox: Seven forward and one reverse
  • Semi-auto: Yes
  • Driveshafts: McLaren
  • Clutch: Hand-operated

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