McLaren has confirmed that its latest upgrades have delivered the performance boost expected, strengthening the team’s outlook for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Unlike its rivals Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull, who faced setbacks from unanticipated complications with their updates, McLaren took a cautious, measured approach, which has proven successful throughout 2024.
Since Miami, McLaren’s MCL38 has been widely recognized as the benchmark car of the season, and with just a few races remaining, the team introduced carefully designed updates to the floor and underbody at the U.S. and Mexican Grands Prix to preserve their lead in the Constructors’ Championship. Team principal Andrea Stella noted that these recent upgrades, while modest, aligned perfectly with the team’s development data, reinforcing their confidence as they approach 2025.
“We were very encouraged that the data from the front wing and underbody at the racetrack corresponded to what we had recognised in development,” Stella said. “The updates contributed to the lap time just as we had expected. That also gives us a lot of confidence as we prepare for the 2025 season.”
Despite wet conditions in Brazil that hampered McLaren’s dry-weather advantage, the team extended its lead over Ferrari in the Constructors’ standings to 35 points. However, Stella insists that McLaren remains focused and vigilant, determined to break a title drought that has persisted since 2008.
“We at McLaren are focusing on ourselves,” Stella asserted. “We have all our opponents in our sights. Whether it’s Red Bull, Mercedes, or Ferrari, it’s all the same for us.”
Stella also acknowledged Ferrari’s recent improvements, with the Scuderia recovering from development hurdles to create a strong competitor. But with a clear vision and confidence in their development process, McLaren looks poised to carry forward the momentum built this season into a championship-contending 2025 campaign.
