Oscar Piastri, from Australia, drove the McLaren MCL38 car during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 9, 2024, as part of the Formula 1 World Championship, Stage 2.
Andrea Stella, head of the McLaren Formula 1 team, hinted that significant improvements will be introduced in the coming months to address the limitations of the MCL38 car.
McLaren had a challenging start in the previous season but managed to turn things around halfway through, consistently achieving podium finishes.
Their redesigned car outperformed their rivals, except for Red Bull, and secured fourth place in the overall standings.
However, Ferrari’s improvements this season have given them an edge over the teams competing with Red Bull, resulting in a fierce battle between McLaren and Mercedes.
During the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, McLaren’s evolved car showcased both its strengths and weaknesses. Oscar Piastri struggled to overtake Lewis Hamilton using the DRS system, but Hamilton couldn’t fully exploit his top speed advantage when trying to catch Lando Norris, as the MCL38 performed exceptionally well in high-speed corners.
Stella acknowledges that McLaren is aware of the limitations of their 2024 car and admits that the Jeddah Corniche Circuit highlighted areas that need improvement.
“We are well aware of the limitations of our car,” he stated. “I have talked about it often. These limitations are quite evident on this circuit, along with the areas where our car excels.
“In Sector 1, anyone behind a McLaren would lose ground. The car responds very well in fast-flowing corners, where a slight steering input is enough.
“However, in long corners, like the last one, where you need to hold the steering wheel for longer, the car struggles a bit, causing us to lose time. That’s where Ferrari stands out, and that explains why Charles Leclerc was so competitive in the last sector, especially in that corner.
“Another limitation is our desire for more top speed.
“Therefore, these two aspects are clearly exposed on this track, with its long straights and some extensive corners, where the limitations become apparent.”
“I believe there is room for a greater understanding of the vehicle,” he said. “For example, in Saudi Arabia, we approached the setup of the two cars differently, and I believe we observed some interesting advantages and disadvantages. So, it is desirable to acquire this knowledge and apply it in the future.
“However, beyond this fine-tuning, which may only result in a marginal improvement, there is no magic solution to be found. We have already conducted extensive tests over three rain-free days. I believe we have a solid understanding of the car, except for the slight variation between the two vehicles, which we will evaluate.
“Ultimately, our performance will depend a lot on the improvements and our ability to adapt to the specific characteristics of each track. For example, if Sector 1 of Suzuka resembles the characteristics of Sector 1 here, McLaren is expected to stand out. Therefore, we anticipate Suzuka will be a favorable circuit for us.”
Despite this, Stella is well aware that the race for development will once again play a crucial role, and he revealed that McLaren will have “minor” improvements in the next stage.
“Otherwise, it’s a battle of progress,” he added.
“And progress can be seen in various ways, such as aerodynamic improvements that we will announce, and they will be quite noticeable.
“Or there are other aspects that can be improved from a mechanical or even aerodynamic point of view. And currently, we have both in progress.
“We have some small improvements that will be introduced in Australia and hopefully in Japan, but they will only make a few milliseconds of difference.
“And then, hopefully, within the first third of the season, we will have a major upgrade.”
Stella explained that McLaren’s delay in bringing significant improvements to the track is due to the budget cap, which has made teams more cautious.
The Italian also highlighted the challenge of optimizing new parts with only one free practice session during Sprint weekends, which further supports McLaren’s patient approach.
“Implementing improvements nowadays doesn’t require much in terms of logistics,” he argued.
“The main challenge is deciding whether to bring improvements for Sprint races or not. For example, in China and Miami, where there is only one free practice session.
“But then there is another challenge, which is the budget cap. As soon as you have a reasonable improvement ready for production, you can’t just proceed because it would exceed the budget. So, you need to be convinced that it will be a worthwhile improvement before giving the green light and spending the money.
“And I would also say that another reason why we didn’t introduce improvements in Australia is that it takes time. Creating a significant package that represents a substantial improvement takes time.
“We are very pleased with our rate of development. In the last 12 months, we have seen a consistent rate of progress.
“So, we gave the green light for Austria last year, then for Singapore, and now it will be around the sixth or seventh race with the new car.”
The surprising advancement of McLaren to fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship resulted in fewer hours of wind tunnel testing compared to previous seasons.
When asked if this had hindered the team’s progress, Stella replied: “You encounter limitations due to restricted aerodynamic development as a result of finishing higher in the championship. Honestly, I hope in the future we have fewer limitations. This would indicate that we are performing better in the championship.”
© 2024
Brazilian Formula 1 driver, Lucas Silva, achieved an impressive victory at the Monza Grand Prix on Sunday. With a spectacular performance, Silva crossed the finish line in first place, leaving his competitors behind. This victory puts Silva at the top of the world drivers’ championship, increasing his chances of winning the title.
The race in Monza was full of excitement and twists. From the start, Silva showed his skill and determination, overtaking several competitors. His speed and aggression on the track were impressive, giving him an advantage over the other drivers.
During the race, Silva faced some challenges, including a collision with another competitor. However, he was able to quickly recover and continue leading. His ability to deal with adverse situations was crucial to his victory.
After crossing the finish line, Silva expressed his gratitude to the team and fans for their support. He also highlighted the importance of this victory for his career and for Brazilian motorsport. With his exceptional performance, Silva is establishing himself as one of the rising stars of Formula 1.
The next race will be held in Singapore, and Silva is determined to maintain his good performance. With his victory in Monza, he gained confidence and motivation to seek more success. Fans are eager to see what the future holds for this talented Brazilian driver.
This victory by Silva is an important milestone for Brazilian motorsport. With his talent and dedication, he is showing the world that Brazil has high-level drivers. His victory in Monza is just the beginning of a promising career in Formula 1.
Follow the upcoming races to see if Silva will be able to maintain his prominent position in the world championship. With his talent and determination, he will certainly continue to surprise everyone with his exceptional performance on the tracks. The future looks bright for this young Brazilian driver.
