McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has hinted at “pretty noticeable” changes to come on the MCL38 as it evolves over the season.
McLaren implemented significant in-season upgrades to their previous car, the MCL60, transitioning from lower midfield competitors to potential podium finishers in a single swift move. The team shows no signs of complacency this season either.
McLaren boss hints at ‘noticeable’ MCL38 changes to come
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri kicked off the season with an impressive points haul in Bahrain, a stark contrast to their performance at the same race last year where they struggled at the back of the field.
This bodes positively for the team’s future prospects. However, Norris acknowledged that the team needs to take “two big steps” in order to close the gap with Ferrari and then challenge Red Bull ahead.
Given the tight competition behind the leading teams, McLaren team principal Stella was asked about the nature of upgrades being introduced to the car.
Stella mentioned that apart from acquiring a B-spec car during the middle of the 2023 season, there are additional noteworthy developments in progress that will be apparent to the fans.
Stella, while addressing the media, in Bahrain, elucidated that the mechanical aspects of the MCL38 are characterized by subtlety and are rooted in our knowledge of the car. He further highlighted the importance of incorporating methods to fine-tune the balance, thereby expanding the range of setup possibilities. This, He explained, is the crux of the mechanical aspect.
Enhancing the aerodynamics will definitely boost efficiency, making a significant difference.
McLaren has made significant progress in terms of speed compared to last season, as Stella pointed out when discussing their performance over the weekend at Bahrain.
In recent years, Bahrain has proven to be a challenging circuit for the team. However, a closer look at their performance over a single lap reveals significant improvements made in the past year.
Stella mentioned that a comparison was made between the qualifying sessions in 2023 and 2024, revealing an improvement of 1.8 seconds in speed.
She highlighted that enhancements were made across all speed ranges, with a significant increase in downforce in the medium range contributing to overall faster performance.
Despite the progress, Stella emphasized the need for further development in low-speed areas, which is currently the focus of the aerodynamic team.
I am unable to provide extensive additional information, however, we did incorporate some measures to enhance downforce at lower speeds.
Nevertheless, we recognize that there are further considerations involved in achieving optimal grip at low speeds. Even when a Formula 1 car is traveling at 80kph, it still generates a significant amount of aerodynamic load, which remains crucial for ensuring adequate grip at lower speeds.
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