The McLaren wind tunnel is a complex project

The structure of the McLaren Technology Center (MTC) initially included a wind tunnel, but the Formula 1 team stopped using it more than a decade ago because the equipment, despite all its complexity, was already outdated and not suitable for precise aerodynamic research. .

Since then, all McLaren racing car models have been worked on at the Cologne base of Toyota’s motorsport division, but at the end of this summer a new modern wind tunnel came into use in Woking and the team decided to talk about it. more detailed.

Essentially, this is a kind of laboratory in which the aerodynamic properties of a Formula 1 car are studied and certain technical solutions are tested that affect not only the aerodynamic balance, but also the efficiency of cooling systems and various specific components.

Current regulations dictate that models blown into a wind tunnel must not exceed 60% of the actual size of the car. The decision to build a new such complex was taken in 2019 by McLaren’s management together with the team’s investors.

“When the project was approved, we immediately started designing a new wind tunnel while dismantling the old one,” says Hannah Allan, lead engineer on the project. “The demolition process involved cutting old metal structures into smaller pieces so that they could be removed from the building through the doors.

When we saw the empty space where the old equipment used to be, we thought there was nowhere to retreat now!”

“This was a very large-scale project, requiring the largest investment since the construction of the MTC,” continued Christian Schramm, director of advanced development and technology at McLaren Racing. “It required incredible efforts from the entire team; we had to make a lot of sacrifices and work overtime, even on weekends. The project was complex and complex, but thanks to the dedicated work of the team we achieved success.”

It was believed that this was an upgrade of McLaren’s previous wind tunnel, rather than the construction of a completely new one, and as not everything had to start from scratch the project was more cost effective in terms of financial costs, but this has affected its implementation not simplified.

“Because there was little space for the pipe, it was made as high and wide as possible,” Schramm explains. “This meant that our project was very specific and took a little longer. For example, the width of the treadmill corresponds to the width of the doorway through which it was delivered, and that was also one of the considerations that had to be taken into account.”

All that remains of the previous pipe are the steel elements of the external structure, as well as the main fan, which ensures the movement of the air flow in a closed loop, but the equipment of the section where the machine models are directly tested has become completely new .

The power generated by the fan passes through a special heat exchanger, which ensures a stable air temperature. An equally important function is performed by a number of special systems that make it possible to smooth out any manifestations of turbulence when the air flow accelerates to 50 m/sec – this is the maximum speed allowed by regulations – after which it model achieved. that’s on the treadmill.

When the nearly four-year construction period of the new wind tunnel was completed, the team stopped using the services of Toyota’s center in Cologne, although the latest updates were tested there, allowing McLaren to increase the speed of the MCL60 in the summer. But from now on all aerodynamic research will be carried out at the Woking base, which increases the efficiency of the whole process, not only because there are now no more costs for renting Toyota equipment and transport costs, but also because all the aerodynamic specialists work right there, at MTS.

The new wind tunnel allows the team to more accurately simulate the chassis’ behavior during cornering, as its dimensions have been increased and the influence of deformations related to the proximity of walls has been significantly reduced. The main correlation accuracy checks were completed before the championship summer holidays and this was the final stage of preparation for pipe operation.

Once this process had been completed, the team informed the FIA ​​that all aerodynamic research would now be carried out in Woking. This is an important development for McLaren Racing and will enable a more efficient development process for the 2024 car.