McLaren launched a rather radical MP4-26 during their scheduled Vodafone media event on 4th February at Potsdamer Platz located in Berlin, Germany shortly after the first test session of the season in Valencia.

The nose of the McLaren MP4-26 features the same high design as many of the other cars this season, while its sidepods are extremely sculpted and L-shaped. In addition, the airbox tweaks have been intensively reworked, while the car’s exhaust system presents a classic rear-side design.

Technical specifications

Chassis	Moulded carbon fibre honeycomb composite incorporating front and side impact structures and integral safety fuel cell
Suspension (front)	Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Suspension (rear)	as front, except operated by pullrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Engine	Mercedes-Benz FO 108Y 2.4 L (146 cu in) V8 (90°). Naturally-aspirated, 18,000 RPM limited with KERS, mid-mounted.
Transmission	McLaren Seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox with reverse gear hand-operated, seamless shift
Weight	640 kg (1,411 lb) (including driver)
Fuel	ExxonMobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
	Mobil Synergy Fuel System
	Mobil 1 lubrication
Tyres	Pirelli P Zero
	Enkei wheels (front and rear): 13″

Links

McLaren MP4-26 – L-shaped sidepods ( The Official F1)
“There is no doubting the new MP4-26 is very different from all the other 2011 cars. Technical director Paddy Lowe has exploited to the extreme the idea of higher outer sidepods, last seen on the likes of Benetton’s B195 from 1995 and Ferrari’s F310 from 1996.”

McLaren MP4-26 ? ?L? shaped sidepods (Scarbsf1′s Blog)
“It remains to be seen if this set up works better than conventional undercut sidepods for creating rear downforce. Others team would be able to recreate the McLaren ?L? shaped sidepod inlets. Although it would require a significant change the radiators and bodywork, making it a major package upgrade and not a quick test.”

McLaren MP4-26 Launch pictures

Photos © McLaren

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Lewis Hamilton?s decision-making ability has come into question after he crashed into the side of Felipe Massa on lap one, causing his early retirement from the Italian Grand Prix. This incident has raised questions about his temperament and ability to bounce back. Kevin Garside of the Daily Telegraph questions how much we should really be expecting from Hamilton. ?Perhaps this is how it must be with Hamilton, an instinctive racer compelled to chase the impossible through gaps that don?t exist. He took the best part of an hour to compose himself before walking out into the sun to face the cameras. This was Hamilton?s third DNF of the season but the first of his own making. Occasions like this are perhaps reminders to us not to expect too much. ?On the days when Hamilton?s insane alliance of guts, skill and derring-do appear capable of delivering the world it is easy to forget he is only 25, an age when it is all too common for boys to believe themselves men.? Byron Young of the Mirror also pulls no punches about Hamilton?s performance and was heavily critical of the manoeuvre which meant he left the weekend pointless. ?To say that his dive down the outside at Della Roggia chicane was optimistic would be generous. Mystifying, definitely, with so much at stake. So often Hamilton has made them stick but yesterday the outcome was all too predictable.?

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Even when you really don’t possess student health insurance this below can be handy! Even though we may be satisfied with our current physical condition; we can all use a lift once in awhile, both for our inner and outer selves. There is a lot of advice you can follow that can make this happen; however you need to be diligent if you wish to see the great effects down the road. If you have any apprehension about health care you should seek the advice of your doctor; below we will be giving a few suggestions on how to gain and maintain a healthier you.

In recent years, there has been a lot of bad publicity for the sun. We hear all the time how getting too much sun can cause skin cancer. They don’t tell you quite as often that not getting enough sun will cause problems, also. Researchers don’t always changed their minds, but that is what has happened with Vitamin D, a natural by-product of sunlight, as they now think that it is much more important. You don’t want to overdo it with the sun, but try to spend at least a half hour outdoors every day. This doesn’t mean you have to lie on the beach in the middle of the day, but try to at least take a walk when the sun is out. You also might want to take a supplement to make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D. You probably know that it’s good for you to eat a healthy diet, however it’s not always so easy to get enough fruits and vegetables that you should be getting. For that reason, it’s a great idea to consume foods that are dense in nutrients, which are sometimes given the name “superfoods.” Some of the many foods that go into this category are eggs, sea vegetables, green tea, blueberries, wheat germ and buckwheat. Nutritional supplements that contain such foods can also be found. Eating superfoods can assist your body in receiving the nutrients it requires. At the same time, try to avoid junk foods, which are the opposite of superfoods, as they are mainly empty calories.

Regarding your diet, you ought to not only pay attention to what you’re eating but also how your food is being chewed. You will be more likely to get indigestion if you eat too quickly and the nutrients will be harder for your body to take in. There is also some evidence suggesting that consuming your food slowly can make you not eat as much as it fills you up faster. It’s really common sense that eating slower is more relaxing, while shoveling food into your mouth tends to be a sign of stress. A few yoga teachers say that you ought to chew on your food eat least forty times before you swallow it. Even though you most likely don’t want to go to that extreme it is better to chew your food both thoroughly and slowly. Of course there is no quick fix. Your being exhibits the influence of your daily habits. You should be tolerable of a couple of rash decisions, like eating some junk food or not doing your exercises; just do not make it a habit.