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W1 ‘One Vision’ Episode 3
W1 Aerodynamics
‘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.”
From motorsport to automotive
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 250 mph 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.”
Robin Algoo
Advanced Aerodynamics Architect
A bottom-up approach
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-fiber monocoque which channels all underbody aerodynamics, enabling high energy airflow under the car to generate F1™-level aerodynamic control.
“We 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.”
Pushing from the back
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 11.81 in 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.
W1 Stories
McLaren W1 Aerodynamics: Formula 1™ ground effect reimagined for the road
Discover how McLaren W1’s radical aerodynamics redefine road car performance. Advanced Aerodynamics Architect Robin Algoo reveals how Formula 1™-inspired ground effect delivers unprecedented grip, balance, and downforce.
McLaren W1 Interior: Optimized, Focused, Innovative
Explore the personal stories behind McLaren W1's interior - innovative seats, new steering wheel, and bespoke McLaren InnoKnit material
McLaren Aerocell: Meet the team behind W1's monocoque
Explore the personal stories behind McLaren W1's Aerocell, the most advanced lightweight carbon monocoque inspired by Formula 1™.
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Announcement: New ‘1’ car, McLaren W1, as a successor to the F1 and McLaren P1™
Today we have confirmed the next chapter in the extraordinary story of its legendary ‘1’ car lineage. Our new supercar, named McLaren W1, will be revealed at 13:00 BST on Sunday, 6 October 2024.
What makes a '1' car: An icon that redefines what's possible
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