I wrote a post not long ago about the new 2008 Ferrari F1 car, today was McLaren Mercedes turn. There had been 14,000 hours worth of manufacturing hours in producing the car and 150 engineers worked on its creation. The car’s life cycle first went into action back in November 2006 where a meeting was conducted. The car then started to be laid out in March 2007.

A change I notice about it prominently is the number 23 on the front of the car, due to the McLaren team losing the constructors points last year. I wrote previously in the Ferrari release post, the car has to conform to the regulations set out by the FIA for 2008 and these can be found here. The design of the MP4-23 car does not seem to be that much different than its previous model the MP4-22 (shown below), although there does seem to be some aerodynamic changes and there plans to be more before the first race of the season. The new car seems to be a lot more rounded in places than the MP4-22 and seems “thinner” than the previous car to. Maybe it is just a personal opinion but I prefer the McLaren Mercedes car a lot more than the Ferrari. Maybe the red and silver combinations just do it.

Who is Racing For McLaren?
McLaren could not afford to release Lewis Hamilton, for a long time yet anyway. The phenomenon who is no longer a F1 rookie will be in his second season and will be hoping to take charge like he did last season unfortunately to loose it to Kimi Räikkönen.

After all the controversy and events last season, it was inevitable that Fernando Alonso would be leaving McLaren and this left McLaren with picking a new driver. That new driver was Heikki Kovalainen who has previously won a World Championship for Renault in 2006.

Some Technical Details Source: F1Technical.net

Engine
Type: Mercedes-Benz FO 108V
Capacity: 2.4 litre
No. of cylinders: 8
Max. rpm: 19,000 (FIA regulatory limit since 2007)
Bank angle: 90O
Piston bore maximum: 98 mm (FIA regulation)
Bore spacing: 106.5 mm
Number of valves: 32
Fuel: Mobil 1 Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
Lubricants: Mobil 1, newly developed 2008 formula for lower friction and better wear resistance
Engine: 95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight)

Other 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 dash board, alternator voltage control, sensors, data analysis and telemetry systems
Bodywork Construction: One-piece engine cover; separate sidepod covers; separate floor section, structural nose with integral front wing.
Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
Radios: Kenwood
Race Wheels: Enkei
Batteries: GS Yuasa Corporation
Steering: McLaren power-assisted
Instruments: McLaren Electronic Systems

A Video Preview

Being a huge motorsport fan myself, I would love to have the opportunity to write about the all new Formula F1 car by Ferrari. This car is the 54th created car by the Ferrari team. This car weighs more than the F2007 car and has a lot of changes starting with the new aerodynamic design shown in this picture. More pictures available here.

It Is Lovely and Well… Red.
The design of the F1 was pretty much expected to be this way. Many people would love to have seen a bit more of a change to the design of the car, maybe some lovely black streaks along it? I would have that personally. Maybe they should hire me *cough*. Ferrari will probably not have any other colour than red as the main colour for their car; it represents power, determination, courage and warning, so other teams, watch out for Ferrari this season. The pictures show a lovely shiny red car that is all clean and wonderful.

New Rules
The release of the 2008 car by Ferrari has to meet new regulations set by the F1 board. These include

- The SECU changes a lot of things for the drivers including removing traction control, electronically assisted breaking system and engine breaking. (All components of the engine will be controlled by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which has been manufactured by an FIA designated supplier to an agreed specification)

- Size changes on the cars design are to meet new safety regulations (by raising the impact test speeds, the static load criteria on structures such as roll hoops and increasing the penetration resistance, drivers will be even better protected than they are at present)

- The gearbox has been changed to last 4 races (All cars will be fitted with gear ratios, final drive ratios and differentials which have been manufactured by an FIA designated supplier to an agreed specification)

The list of regulations for 2008 that are imposed by the FIA can be found here.

Who’s Driving This Year?
On the back of his 2007 Formula One World Championship win, Kimi Räikkönen will be defending his title and the constructor’s championship with the new car along with his team mate Felipe Massa.

Some Technical Details

Source: Formula1.com & F1technical.net

Engine
Type: 056
Number of cylinders: 8
Cylinder block in cast aluminium: V 90°
Number of valves: 32
Distribution: Pneumatic distribution
Total displacement: 2398 cm3
Piston bore: 98 mm
Weight: <95 kg
Injection: Magneti Marelli digital electronic injection
Ignition: Magneti Marelli static electronic ignition
Fuel: Shell V-Power ULG 64
Lubrcant: Shell SL-1098

Other Specifications
Chassis: Carbon-fibre and honeycomb, composite structure
Differential: Limited-slip differential
Gearbox: Ferrari longitudinal, Semiautomatic sequential (7 speeds + reverse), electronically controlled gearbox, quick-shift
Brakes: Ventiled carbon-fibre disc brakes
Suspension: Independent suspension, push-rod activated torsion springs front and rear
Weight: (with water, lubricant and driver): 605 kg
BBS Wheels: (front and rear): 13 in

A Video Preview

This being a gift I got for Christmas from my girlfriend I decided to review it to give you an insight to what I think of it and maybe to convince you to buy it or deter you away from it. It was released in November 2007 and its one for those Top Gear fans or people looking for that buzz from watching cars that are just amazing. Anyone who watches will be in overdrive looking at the cars, you will be dreaming about these cars by the time you are done ;).

Whats It About?
Jeremy Clarkson sets out on a quest to find the ultimate supercar. Giving he knows his stuff he provides you with detailed descriptions of the cars and takes you on a test drive with each of the cars. You are watching him drive at high speed and I can guarantee you will be wishing to drive that car. The noises you hear are like candy to a baby.

Jeremy Clarkson races cars to test the performance and gives you personal opinions on what he thinks. It also provides you with a lot of knowledge, 95% of people would not likely have known before.The price of the cars will keep you in ore as he tests some of the most expensive cars on the planet.

Humour
You can be sure that Jeremy Clarkson delivers the reviews with great humour and the quotes and editing are funny. His enthusiasm in his job makes the Supercar Showdown great fun to watch.

What cars are tested?
- Audi R8 - I really want one of these
- Lamborghini Murcielago
- Ascari A10
- Radical
- Ferrari 599
- Citroën C6
- Renault A610
- G-Wiz
- Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
- Ferrari F430
- Porsche GT3
- Aston Martin Vantage Convertable
- Bugatti Veyron

A bit of Bugatti!

Jeremy takes this car for a spin, being a road legal 1000 horsepower car that has a top speed of 250mph +! You learn about the creation of it and you learn why its the daddy of all supercars. Not firstly for its price, ouch.

A Trailer
Here is a trailer to wet your appetite for this DVD,

And on that Illustrious Bombshell!
I’ve watched the DVD many times now and I’ve enjoyed it every time I have watched it, its funny, interesting and very cool. It is something you have to be interested in to gain the full experience from what is being shown, but if your looking for a present for someone its definitely a great present.