McLaren continues to make changes to the MP4-31 to improve performance and draw it closer to the lead pack. In Austria the team made amendments to its front brake duct, an area that has already seen plenty of evolution this season. The drum has been reshaped, with a tapered surface used as the drum meets the main vertical fence (note the flat surface of the older specification in the inset). This allows the airflow taken in between the vertical fence and tyres sidewall a space to occupy, changing how heat radiates between the brakes and wheel rim. Furthermore, a vertical inlet sits on the transition line and allows the air to travel between the surfaces, mixing with the airflow inside the...
Full Story »