McLaren is the inventor of a clever system that is helping Lewis Hamilton at the front of the F1 field at present. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, with the collaboration of renowned F1 technical illustrator Giorgio Piola, said the British team is using a system that controls the flow of heat from the brakes into the difficult-to-manage Pirelli tyres.
So in a season in which a degree or two in temperature can bring a tyre in or out of Pirelli's tiny 'window' of performance, the McLaren trick is "ingenious", German journalist Tobias Gruner explained.
The team's mechanics adjust the rear braking system in the pits with a screwdriver, the screw being located near the driver cockpit opening.
As Piola's drawings show, the infinite adjustment affects the rear braking system and the flow of braking heat to the tyres.
But it has not been all good news for McLaren, whose Jenson Button is suffering arguably the grimmest period in his entire F1 career at present.
It might have something to do with the FIA's recent clampdown on the MP4-27's floor.
Reportedly after the Chinese Grand Prix, the governing body ruled that the British team had stepped over the line with its interpretation of the rules regarding flexibility.
Scratches had been found underneath the extremes of the front wings, to which McLaren argued that the floor bending was within the allowed tolerances.
"The tolerance is there to account for manufacturing defects," Charlie Whiting is quoted as saying, after ruling that McLaren's system deliberately exploited those tolerances.
Auto Motor und Sport said: "The seemingly minor change had major implications for McLaren."
Particularly Button. The team's subsequent technical changes, including the higher nose and the modified rear suspension geometry, seemingly worked for Hamilton, but not for the struggling 2009 world champion.
Getting the 2012 car to work for Button again is now a high priority for McLaren. "The problem is very complex," technical director Paddy Lowe said. "Our car is good, it just has to be set up perfectly."
And at the heart of all the F1 teams' quests for performance at the moment is the mysterious Pirelli tyres. "I'd say we understand 30 per cent," admitted Lowe. (GMM)
Report reveals McLaren tyre temperature trick
- Published on 15 Jun 2012 11:11
-
0
- By: Danny Sosef
.
Trending news
-
Pérez: 'Only now do people see how good I really am'Sergio Pérez has claimed his performances at Cadillac are finally revealing his true level as a Formula 1 driv...
12 Jun 2026 15:20 -
What Antonelli really thinks about the FIA's Red Bull engine rulingMercedes driver and championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli has admitted surprise at the FIA's conclusion that ...
12 Jun 2026 16:22 -
What Verstappen won't say about his future in Formula 1Max Verstappen finished fourth at the Spanish Grand Prix after benefiting from late retirements, but the four-time wo...
15 Jun 2026 09:44 -
Piastri reveals who's the toughest rival he's ever racedOscar Piastri has named Max Verstappen as the best opponent he has ever raced against in Formula 1, choosing the four...
15 Jun 2026 11:47 -
Why Fernando Alonso's Alpine return won't go awayFernando Alonso, the two-time world champion, is once again at the centre of transfer speculation linking him to a su...
15 Jun 2026 10:46
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Driver profile
- Team McLaren
- Points 37
- Podiums 0
- Grand Prix 41
- Country United Kingdom
- Date of b. Jan 19 1980 (46)
- Place of b. Frome, Somerset, United Kingdom
- Weight 72 kg
- Length 1.82 m
- 67,104 comments on McLaren
23 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Jenson Button
Team profile
- Team name Pirelli
- Base Milan, Italy
- 37,476 comments on Pirelli
- 3 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Pirelli
Replies (0)
Login to reply