McLaren reveal MP4-23 in Germany
 |
McLaren on Monday launched its 2008 contender, the MP4-23, at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart.
The event, attended by F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, coincided with the twenty-third birthday of Lewis Hamilton, the rookie Briton who in 2007 finished runner-up to world champion Kimi Raikkonen for the drivers' title.
 |
|
Overhead view |
It also emerged that, contrary to the official entry list released recently by the FIA, Hamilton will wear the number 23 – not 22 as published – on his silver single seater, which boasts a visibly straighter nose than its predecessor.
Hamilton will test the MP4-23 for the first time at an exclusive test session at Jerez on Thursday, after new Finnish teammate Heikki Kovalainen and test driver Pedro de la Rosa debut it at the same Spanish circuit a day earlier.
Technical Specifications
ENGINE
| Type | Mercedes-Benz FO 108V |
| Capacity | 2.4 liter |
| No. of cylinders | 8 |
| Max. rpm | 19,000 (FIA regulatory limit since 2007) |
| Bank angle | 90° |
| Piston bore maximum | 98 mm (FIA regulation) |
| 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) |
TRANSMISSION
| Gearbox Speeds | Seven forward and one reverse |
| Semi-auto | Yes |
| Driveshafts | McLaren |
| Clutch | Hand-operated |
CHASSIS
| Chassis | McLaren molded 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 side pod covers. Separate floor section, structural nose with integral front wing. |
| Tires | Bridgestone Potenza |
| Radios | Kenwood |
| Race Wheels | Enkei |
| Batteries | GS Yuasa Corporation |
| Steering | McLaren power-assisted |
| Instruments | McLaren Electronic Systems |