(Motorsports news) At the Austria and Singapore rounds of the previous year, McLaren unveiled a number of significant modifications that dramatically changed the team’s trajectory. It went from being a midfield underdog to one that could challenge Ferrari and Mercedes for podium spots in the second half of the season.
Early in 2024, McLaren was able to maintain its lead over Mercedes and even pull ahead of the competition. However, the team said during the February launch of MCL38 that it was working on more exciting development projects that it would not be able to finish in time for the launch version.
While team manager Stella played it tight to his chest, he did say that the first package of upgrades is already ready for this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix and could produce a noticeable step, albeit not as big as its largest 2023 upgrades.
“This upgrade will not be as big as the two that we had delivered last year in Austria and Singapore, but it should be a decent step,” Stella stated. “It should be noticeable.”I am limited to what I can say since we would be discussing numbers otherwise. I would wish to keep that confidential.
“Let’s imagine, however, that it’s not as significant as, say, Austria or Singapore, but still noteworthy if things line up with our assumptions, like the computer simulation and the wind tunnel data, for example.
“It’s always a big if, because even if the hit rate of this correlation has been good over the last 12 months, there are always possible surprises.”
The team attempted to address three major areas of weakness for McLaren last winter: long, low-speed corners; tyre degradation; and aerodynamic efficiency. These weaknesses are still present on the 2024 car, with the Miami changes being an initial attempt to further mitigate them.
Though the Shanghai circuit was thought to be one of the team’s weaker venues, Lando Norris managed to finish second in the Chinese Grand Prix, demonstrating once again how impressive the team’s on-track accomplishments have been this year.
“It’s always a big if, because even if the hit rate of this correlation has been good over the last 12 months, there are always possible surprises.”
The team attempted to address three major areas of weakness for McLaren last winter: long, low-speed corners; tyre degradation; and aerodynamic efficiency. These weaknesses are still present on the 2024 car, with the Miami changes being an initial attempt to further mitigate them.
Though the Shanghai circuit was thought to be one of the team’s weaker venues, Lando Norris managed to finish second in the Chinese Grand Prix, demonstrating once again how impressive the team’s on-track accomplishments have been this year.
Instead, barely seven months after finishing on the podium in both the Japanese Grand Prix and the World Championship, Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri suffered more at Suzuka.
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