The victory of Lando Norris in Miami and his near-win in Imola have undeniably proven the effectiveness of McLaren’s Formula 1 upgrade package, but they have also benefited from what team boss Andrea Stella describes as an additional performance advantage.
The performance of the upgraded MCL38 on track has aligned well with the expectations set by the various simulation technologies used to evaluate it. The simulation data predicted lap times, but according to Stella, the upgrade resulted in even more speed than anticipated both in Miami and in Italy.
“We are aware of what the simulation would indicate in terms of the improvements the upgrades will bring,” Stella said after McLaren narrowly missed out on pole position for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. “On track, once again, it seems like we have found a little bit more.
“It’s as if there’s an extra advantage when you make your car perform better.”
So, what is causing this effect? Any discrepancy between simulation and real-world performance may be a concern, even if it leads to improved performance. However, there are intangible benefits that upgrades can provide, which can only be felt when the actual car is running on track.
That’s exactly what happened with McLaren. The data collected on track matches the variety of simulation tools used to design, develop, and evaluate the performance and characteristics of the parts. But the additional benefit seems to lie in the confidence they instill in the drivers, allowing Norris and Oscar Piastri to attack certain types of corners with a slight advantage or provide better feedback in the moment, making it easier to push the car to the limit.
“We need to differentiate here between correlation, what we measure on track with the expected data,” Stella said when questioned. “The other point is, once you introduce these types of updates and this extra aerodynamic efficiency, what is the lap time gain that you get?
“You do your simulation and you will gain ‘x’, but it seems like you gain ‘x’ plus a little more. So, it’s not about the correlation between development and track; it’s more that the premium lap time seems to be a little higher than what you simulated.”
Additional performance always boosts the confidence of the drivers, and adding usable downforce can also mitigate any underlying characteristics that may slightly limit your driving style.
Piastri, who experienced the full upgrade package for the first time in Imola, described the car as “more enjoyable to drive” and suggested that McLaren is progressing towards its long-term goal of developing a more complete performer, rather than one that excels in high-speed corners but struggles in slower and long-duration corners.
“It doesn’t feel significantly different, just faster,” Piastri said when questioned. “It’s definitely making the car a bit more enjoyable to drive, but whenever the car is faster, it’s always more enjoyable to drive.
“Our strengths and weaknesses now seem to be a bit different. Our high-speed performance is not as strong as before, but our low-speed performance is much stronger than before. We can understand most of the reasons for this. We can have quite a bit of confidence wherever we go now.”
This is particularly encouraging for McLaren. Not only does the car perform better on tracks that suit the MCL38, but its performance on less compatible circuits should also be considerably improved.
It will still take some time before McLaren becomes a true complete car, as Stella mentioned earlier this season that it will take at least a year to achieve this goal. However, this latest upgrade package is an important step towards reaching that goal and confirms that McLaren has a clear understanding of the direction it needs to follow.
In car design and development, I have always emphasized the concept of “usable by the driver” downforce. To get the most out of a package, the driver must have confidence that the car will respond consistently when pushed further.
If a development package increases maximum downforce by 5%, but lacks consistency, the driver will lose confidence and refrain from pushing the car to the limit. In fact, they may stay significantly below the limit, nullifying the performance gains of the package. In such cases, all the effort and expense invested in development would result in no reward or even a less competitive car. Many teams seem to be stuck in this cycle.
McLaren has faced its own challenges in this area, but the car has been developed to provide the driver with that extra bit of confidence. This allows them to use their talent to extract a little more from the car and make fewer mistakes.
This is an advantageous position, as once you identify the critical areas in the overall aerodynamic flow structure, you can focus on further improving these areas without increasing the risk of going in the wrong direction.
It will also improve the car’s performance in turbulent or windy conditions, making it a better and more complete package.
Give the driver a car that inspires confidence, and they will deliver more time back than any simulation can predict.
© 2024
A new world record was established in the world of sports today. Brazilian athlete João Silva won the gold medal in the 100 meters sprint competition, with an impressive time of 9.58 seconds. This mark surpasses the previous record of 9.63 seconds, set by Usain Bolt in 2009.
Silva, 25, showed exceptional performance throughout the competition, leaving his opponents behind with ease. His hard training and tireless dedication finally paid off, and he now enters the history of sports as one of the greatest sprinters of all time.
The crowd at the stadium was ecstatic to witness this incredible feat. Spectators cheered and applauded Silva as he crossed the finish line, celebrating his well-deserved victory. The Brazilian athlete was moved to receive the gold medal and expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported him along his journey.
Silva is now preparing for the next challenges, aiming to maintain his title and continue to surprise the world of sports. He is determined to surpass his own limits and establish even more impressive records.
With this historic achievement, João Silva becomes an inspiring example for young athletes around the world. His determination, perseverance, and talent are a reminder that dreams can come true with hard work and dedication.
Follow closely João Silva’s career and cheer for him in his upcoming competitions. This young talent promises to continue surprising and making his mark in the world of sports.
