McLaren MP4-23 Slit In Front Wing Flap

McLaren had an addition to the new nosecone winglets that McLaren debuted in Hungary, the team also introduced this change to the rearmost flap of the front wing. It may be more subtle than the winglets, but is actually more important in terms of airflow management. In truth, the two revisions work in tandem. The slit (inset) in the middle of the flap helps to extract the air passing underneath and then to direct it towards the upper wishbones of the front suspension at an angle of around 30 degrees. That airflow is then diverted horizontally by the winglets on the nose. The higher negative pressure that the slit generates under the wing helps to improve the sharpness of the car's front-end handling.

McLaren MP4-23 Nosecone Winglets

McLaren Team made these horn-like winglets halfway up the MP4-23's nosecone have been introduced by McLaren in Hungary. It's a solution not dissimilar to the 'delta' winglets on the BMW Sauber and one that provides a better quality of airflow to the car's sidepod inlets and rear end. It does this by improving the management of the airflow exiting the front wing. This doesn't directly increase front downforce, but instead improves the aero efficiency and downforce load in the central and rear sections of the car.

Lewis Hamilton warns McLaren

Lewis Hamilton has warned his McLaren team to expect a formidable opponent in Ferrari when the F1 Championship enters the final leg in late August. Having been destroyed by Hamilton in the wet in Britain and Germany, Ferrari fought back in Hungary last weekend where Felipe Massa pulled off the overtaking move of the race to take the lead off the McLaren driver. And had it not been for his engine failure three laps before the end of the 70-lap race Massa would have clinched not only the victory but also the lead in the standings. But as it stands Hamilton's fifth placed finish, despite a puncture, extended his lead in the championship by one point over Kimi Raikkonen, bringing the gap to five, while Massa languishes eight points off the pace.

However, the Brit concedes he could have a tough challenge holding onto the lead as the Ferraris have rebounded from their earlier disappointing pace. "They were strong," Hamilton told Autosport. "If we had been out in front then it perhaps would have been a little bit different. "But Hungary showed they had some really strong pace, which we already knew they had. It's just you guys (the media) seem to think there's a huge difference." He added: "I think I drove well. I didn't make any mistakes. I just had a puncture. I brought the car home as safe as possible and scored as many points as I could, so there's not much more you can ask for," he continued. "It's just unfortunate I was the one to get a puncture, and it was a case of 'oh no, not again.' I had it three times last year, or whatever it was, and that's what really lost me the Championship. "It can be very, very costly, but Kimi didn't win, and it actually helps Heikki (Kovalainen) won and (Timo) Glock was second. They are taking points off everyone else, so I'm quite happy. My lead is bigger now and you would never have thought that with all that has gone on this year.

NASCAR And McLaren Technology Centre

Jim France, vice chairman and executive vice president of NASCAR and the chief executive officer (CEO) of International Speedway Corporation (ISC), spent time at the McLaren Technology Centre.

Commenting on his visit he said, "I am very impressed by what I see here today at the McLaren Technology Centre. I have seen a lot more technology than I would in the garages at Nascar and IRL level where obviously they are also dedicated racers and working with whatever materials they have. However, I am impressed by the level of manufacturing capability at the McLaren Technology Centre and the development and engineering that goes on at this facility"

Martin Whitmarsh, who accompanied Mr France on the tour, said "It has been a fantastic opportunity to discuss and compare notes on our differing areas of motorsport. We share many common goals and aspirations and I know that we can learn a lot from each other."

Gary Paffet Launch Go Karting

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes test driver Gary Paffett was at Buckmore Park yesterday to support the Motor Sports Association's (MSA) Let's Go Karting campaign, which will enable children to experience the thrill of Karting for just £5.

The Let's Go Karting scheme, which will be spread across 16 clubs and tracks throughout Britain, will allow children between the ages of 8 and 16 to get behind the wheel of a Kart for a specially subsidised rate. Organised by the sport's governing body the MSA, the scheme will ensure all the children are provided with full safety training by qualified instructors along with special safety kit and equipment, before having the chance to take to the track and test their skills. The initiative is part of the MSA's Go Motorsport programme, which was launched last week by Lewis Hamilton, and is the first centrally co-ordinated marketing campaign for UK motorsport.

Gary Paffett, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes test driver said, "It was through Karting that I got into Formula One and it's the best way for any kids to get involved in motorsport. The thrill and excitement of Karting is definitely comparable to F1 as the speeds and downforce a Kart generates relative to its size make it really exciting. Karting gave me great opportunities as a kid and I still love doing it when I get a chance. I would definitely recommend children give the Lets' Go Karting scheme a go over the summer."

The action packed day saw experienced Karting children providing a series of demonstrations which were followed with local school children taking to Buckmore's famous track for the first time to highlight how Let's Go Karting will introduce thousands of news faces to the sport.