McLaren
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
