McLaren MP4-23 - cockpit area
Major changes have been introduced to this area to improve the quality of the air directed to the car's rear wing. The engine air intake has been placed further behind the headrest and a sort of long splitter (yellow arrow), which continues towards the very slim engine cover, has been added to reduce the area's cross section and diminish disruption to the airflow. In line with new regulations, the side protection around the driver's helmet (red arrow) has also been heightened. This connects to the rear bodywork in a more abrupt w
ay to minimise the additional drag it creates.McLaren MP4-23 - rear bodywork
Compared to the MP4-22, the rear of the car has been visibly lowered, with the exhaust pipes now placed further to the side. There are new movable covers (1), which could be replaced with cooling slits as the season progresses. The winglet behind the venting chimney (2) has also been refined. Rather than being curved, as on the MP4-22, the profile of its top edge is now completely flat. This increases the quantity and pressure of the airflow directed towards the rear wing, and uses the low pressure of the exiting hot exhaust gasses to accelerate that airflow.McLaren MP4-23 - front suspension
The changes made to the car's front suspension are particularly interesting. As on the Ferrari F2008, the front of the chassis now higher than that of its predecessor, hence the quantity of airflow passing underneath the car has been dramatically increased. As a result, the team have angled the lower wishbone (2) downwards and increased the number of small sculpted winglets (1) underneath in order to manage the airflow more efficiently.[Source :Formula1.com]