Ilmor-Mercedes: looking better!

[Knowlesy]

I must admit, one of my worries for this season was how reliable the engines in the back of the McLaren would be, given that they have to last for two race weekends.

Last season, they were less than impressive for a long time, blowing up with monotonous regularity (admittedly the car packaging didn't help). This has been a bit of a trend for past years, with the Mercs suffering a few failures at season start.

However, so far during testing there have been no major dramas either in MP4/19B or MP4/20, as far as I know.

This can only be a good thing. If this continues, the new car will be developed to a greater degree simply because of more running time and Merc can push for a little more power.

It's a credit to the job Martin Whitmarsh has done in re-organising the engine department. I hope this continues and McLaren can challenge for major honours again.

[Tweed]

Yep, me too. The Merc engine's usually been the weak link in the McLaren team, so let's hope for some strong foundations for the Woking boys! The days of a Mercedes-Benz V10 eating everything else up on a straight seem ages ago!

[Marbot]

Yes,lets hope that both the Ilmor engine and JPM have cut down on the lunching.

[Jordi]

As opposed to Honda. There have been several blow-ups in Valencia.

[GTRMagic]

Just because they arent blowing up, doesnt make them fast

[Knowlesy]

GTR: it's a better starting point than last year when they were underpowered and unreliable.

[Glen]

Don't forget - according to McLaren, Mercedes engines never fail - what you see is not plumes of vaporised valves and con-rods flying everywhere but some complex phenonema that us mere mortals would never understand, and which "needs further investigation".

[Knowlesy]

Glen, you are absolutely right.

I apologise to Mercedes for describing their 2004 campaign in such poor light. I had forgotten it was merely a celebration festival of fire.

[Marbot]

There was always the possibility that smoke and water vapour pouring out of the exhausts might be a gearbox fault or at least not MB,s fault.


Blame is better to give than receive.

[Glen]

"The car stopped due to electrical failure - caused by a con-rod going through the ECU."

In a funny kind of way it is feasible that these regulations might suit a manufacturer with borderline reliability - because the focus will shift to some degree on to techniques for managing the engine though its life... something that has been going on for a while and which was quite apparent on some cars in 2004. An engine that is otherwise solid and with good assets such as economy, flexibility and smoothness but which lacks the capacity to do 19,000rpm all day long might become more attractive. The strategy for a race will include phases of less rigorous running, and also great care taken just before and after a pit-stop. The very small radiator inlets on 2004 cars so far, and the Williams having a six speed (not seven) gearbox could be indications that the general philosophy will be gently slanted more towards torque, driveability and economy and away from outright top end power (which would have its place mainly for the qualifying sessions and overtaking).

[Kicking-back]

Martin Whitmarsh going into Ilmor seems to have turned things around at Brixworth.