McLaren still needs to make improvements at circuits that require lower levels of downforce, according to Andrea Stella, the boss of the team. Stella acknowledged that in order to be a truly competitive force in Formula 1, McLaren must develop their car to perform better on tracks that prioritize low-drag characteristics. The team, based in Woking, has shown great promise this season with their MCL38 car, which has proven to be consistent across the grid.
McLaren’s impressive mid-season turnaround has resulted in two victories and 10 consecutive podium finishes, leaving them just 42 points behind the current leaders, Red Bull. However, similar to last year, McLaren tends to perform best when their car is set up for high-speed corners. While they dominated at the Hungaroring with a 1-2 finish, they appeared to be slightly behind Red Bull at the fast Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
Stella admitted that McLaren needs to focus on developing a stronger low-downforce package to avoid compromising their performance on tracks that require high top-end speed. When asked about their progress compared to last season, Stella stated that they have only completed 50% of the journey. He expressed confidence in their high-downforce setup, as the car behaves as desired in terms of aerodynamics. However, they have yet to invest significant development efforts into lower drag levels. Stella explained that their performance at Spa-Francorchamps was not surprising, as they were not as competitive as they were in Hungary. He noted that while their top speed was similar or slightly better, they were losing time in the second sector. This indicates that in order to gain speed, they would have to sacrifice grip. Stella expressed hope that in the future, possibly as early as next year in Belgium, McLaren will have completed their quest to have the most efficient car, even when top speed is crucial.
The competition at the forefront and McLaren wasting numerous opportunities has created an opportunity for a resurgent Mercedes to secure three victories in five races. However, despite failing to capitalize on chances to increase their two wins this season, Stella has dismissed the notion that McLaren possesses the fastest car on all tracks.
“I consistently receive comments suggesting that McLaren has the superior car, but I always temper the enthusiasm by stating that there are four cars that are essentially on the same level,” he explained.
“There is a degree of variability that is influenced by the track itself, as well as the prevailing conditions to some extent. For example, in today’s hot temperature, Mercedes did an excellent job of preserving the tires for a longer duration.
“It remains to be seen whether we would have been capable of achieving such a long stint, as we have witnessed varying circumstances throughout the year. In Silverstone, for instance, both Lando and Hamilton utilized soft tires, but Hamilton somehow managed to maintain their performance and emerge victorious, whereas our tires deteriorated.
“Under different conditions, we have demonstrated proficiency with tire management, indicating that the competition is incredibly tight. Minor factors and variable circumstances can alter the pecking order. As I always say, this is highly beneficial and captivating for Formula 1, and I am delighted that we were able to deliver another highly engaging race today.”
Photo from McLaren Instagram
