McLaren is currently 42 points behind Red Bull in the 2024 Constructors Championship. The team started the ground effect era with a significant advantage over its competitors. However, during the 2024 season, their dominance began to wane, and they are now fighting to maintain their lead in the championship. Speculation suggests that this decline in performance may be attributed to the recruitment of former Red Bull staff members.
One notable addition to McLaren’s team is their new chief designer, who was previously employed by Red Bull. Coinciding with his arrival, McLaren’s performance on the track has improved significantly. Former team principal Otmar Szafnauer has raised suspicions about this sudden jump in performance, suggesting that the new designer may have brought along valuable insights and secrets from his time at Red Bull.
While allegations of this nature are not uncommon in the paddock, it is rare for an engineer to have such a profound impact on a team’s performance after changing teams. Despite this controversy, McLaren’s operational strategies have been praised, with their Italian team manager emphasizing the importance of unity and growth within the team. He acknowledges that mistakes happen occasionally, but they serve as valuable lessons that help the team reassess and improve their strategies.
Despite their accountable attitude, McLaren faced a challenging situation in Hungary. As they trail Red Bull by 42 points, the team is now focusing on teamwork in their pursuit of winning their first championship in decades.
Photo from McLaren Instagram
