McLaren W1 Aerodynamics: Formula 1™ ground effect reimagined for the road

W1 AERODYNAMIC

'W1 BREAKS THE CEILING OF ROAD CAR AERODYNAMICS'

A wind of change

Episode 3 of our 'One Vision' series breathes fresh air into the story of how we developed groundbreaking aerodynamics for the McLaren W1. This film stars Robin Algoo, Advanced Aerodynamics Architect, who has been instrumental in developing the car's revolutionary airflow. Taking inspiration from the track, the W1 generates most of its downforce from ground-effect like the McLaren MCL38 Formula 1 car. "It breaks the ceiling," explains Algoo. "There's a lot of McLaren and automotive firsts that really pushed the team to the limit."

Before joining McLaren in 2016, Robin worked as an aerodynamicist at the forefront of motorsport, in Formula 1™. Since moving to Woking, he has been tasked mainly with developing the key aerodynamic attributes of the Ultimate Series cars: namely the McLaren Senna, Senna GTR and the record-breaking 403km/h V-max Speedtail. However, the work he has done on the W1 takes things to the next level.

"We've endured challenges throughout the car," he says. "It is by far the most challenging engineering work that I've been involved in."

A word from McLaren

"Applying Formula One-style ground effect to a road car was a huge challenge"

Robin explains how his team took the groundbreaking and bold decision not to rely on a high-mounted rear wing to produce rear downforce on the McLaren W1. Instead, the solution was to design the W1 as a fully ground- effect car. This entire concept is built around the McLaren Aerocell carbon-fibre monocoque which channels all underbody aerodynamics, enabling high energy airflow under the car to generate F1™-level aerodynamic control.

"We have sculptured the body by elevating the footbox, narrowing the waist and moving the door hinges on top of the roof," Robin adds.

FORMULA 1™ TECHNOLOGY

What look like brake ducts on the McLaren W1, deliver much more than cooling to the discs and calipers. In fact, these work in tandem with the Aerocell and control air around the tires, creating downforce, and provide clean air to the rear radiators and diffuser. "One of the challenges for any aerodynamicist is to manage the air flow around the wheels," says Robin. "Similar to the effect of the turning vane on an F1™ car, we generate outwash under the body thanks to the Aerocell, pushing wheel aerodynamics to a new level."

Given the immense power of W1's ground- effect, it was only logical to move the rear wing behind the car. In race mode, the active longtail extends by 300mm but the whole car drops down, producing five times more downforce than in road mode. "The active longtail works as an extension of the diffuser and the underbody by extending it 20%," explains Robin.

PUSHING THINGS FORWARD

W1 cleverly offsets the lack of a massive rear wing with a sophisticated front active aero concept. This large moveable aerodynamic surface allows to regulate the amount of airflow under the vehicle's floor and optimize its aerodynamic balance around the track. Not only is W1 always perfectly poised in straight lines, but it also maintains its stability under braking and during cornering.

McLAREN W1