The Secrets Are All Hidden From View.
There have been some interesting accusations thrown at the McLaren team this week from other teams with regard to their tyre management systems. When you are the team out in front dominating then it is for the other teams to be more innovative and to try and catch up. This is why Formula One is at the pinnacle of motor sport as they are pushing boundaries that no one ever thought possible.
Tyre management is crucial to the success of a car out on track because if you can keep the tyre in a "happy window" the tyre will maintain it's grip at peak performance that much longer. The life of a tyre depending on the compound being used has a set window for peak performance before degradation takes over and the performance drops off like a cliff. The grip that allows the cars to get so much traction along with the downforce of the car is what generates the speed. When there is no grip the the tyres are changed and this is the same for every team.
The cars generally become quicker later in the race as the track is fully rubbered in giving more grip plus the car fuel loads are now much lighter to when they first started the race. Replacement tyres are kept in heated blankets by the pit crew so when the car changes their tyres they are already up to peak temperature. Tyres need to be at a certain temperature to allow for the grip to take effect.
The accusations McLaren are facing is over their tyre temperatures and the teams do not understand how McLaren can keep their tyres cool enough making them last that much longer. Teams have bee using thermal cameras to try and uncover the mystery and have no clue as to how McLaren is doing this. What they saw was when the car came into the pits was that the brake ducts were not glowing orange, but were coming out blue in the thermal images.
This would explain why the tyres are lasting that much longer as they ae not over heating due to the brake ducts which are in close proximity to the tyres. I always fid it fascinating with how much work goes on with the teams trying to find out what the others are doing. Each team employs hundreds of photographers for each race weekend with the hope that they will uncover some type of secret.
The teams are questioning the FIA who is the governing body for Formula One who regulate the sport over McLaren's new technology. The FAA have disclosed nothing meaning this is all legal and for other teams to develop and catch up or be one of the chasing teams. Chances are the teams have an idea already and it is only a matter of time before all the teas are using this new type of cooling system. Technology never stands still in this sport and there is always something being developed to outsmart the other teams giving your team a small advantage.