McLaren’s methodical approach to its development strategy has been a cornerstone of its success in the 2024 Formula 1 season, and this caution was on full display at the United States Grand Prix. Despite being in the heat of a title fight, the Woking-based team made the calculated decision not to introduce a new floor upgrade, opting instead to focus on ensuring that recent updates work as intended.
While rivals such as Ferrari and Mercedes have encountered unexpected issues with their latest floor designs—issues not revealed in simulations—McLaren has chosen to stick with the floor it first introduced at the Miami Grand Prix earlier in the season. Both Ferrari and Mercedes faced setbacks due to these miscalculations, leading McLaren team principal Andrea Stella and his engineers to avoid rushing any upgrades that could cause similar problems.
Neil Houldey, McLaren’s Engineering Technical Director, shed light on the team’s strategy, explaining that McLaren is in a strong position in the Constructors’ Championship and does not want to risk introducing complications. Houldey emphasized the importance of being patient, stating, “We want to bring something that we know works. We’re not trying to deliver something early. We’re in a good position in the championship, but what we don’t want is confusion within the team.”
At the Circuit of the Americas, both Ferrari and McLaren opted against debuting new upgrade packages due to the restricted practice time resulting from the Sprint weekend format. However, Houldey was quick to dismiss the notion that the Sprint format influenced McLaren’s decision-making process. Instead, the focus is on ensuring that all new parts are thoroughly understood before they are integrated into the car.
“We’re just ensuring that when we bring the parts, they’re the right ones, and they’re going to bring performance to the track,” Houldey explained. He noted that while McLaren has a series of aerodynamic upgrades ready to go for upcoming events, they remain in the manufacturing process at the team’s factory.
McLaren’s measured approach has been a key factor in avoiding the missteps of its rivals. Ferrari, for example, decided not to debut their expected upgrade at Austin due to the limited track time offered by the Sprint format. McLaren, meanwhile, remains focused on its own timeline, preferring to introduce components only when they are fully prepared.
“We’re learning what it’s like to be back at the front again,” Houldey added. “For sure, the scrutiny that that brings is new to us, and I think we’re dealing with it in the right way.”
As the battle for the championship heats up, McLaren’s cautious yet calculated strategy may prove to be the key to success. With six races left in the season, their methodical approach could ensure they remain in contention, especially as they continue to balance the need for performance gains with the risks of mid-season upgrades.
