McLaren has revealed it’s holding again on bringing a brand new ground for its Components 1 automotive as a result of the group thinks it dangers the identical downgrade issues rivals have confronted.
The Woking-based outfit is locked in a decent struggle with Crimson Bull for the F1 championships this yr, and accepts it has a shout of successful each constructors’ and drivers’ crowns.
With so little efficiency distinction between automobiles, McLaren is conscious that any good points that may be created from upgrades might be decisive.
Nonetheless, the squad has admitted to some warning about introducing a ground improve that it has been engaged on, in case it triggers the sort of unintended penalties that different squads have encountered.
All through the 2024 season, a number of outfits have hit hassle when new ground designs, aimed toward rising downforce, have additionally delivered undesirable unintended effects.
Aston Martin’s season took a downturn at Imola with a significant improve there, Ferrari encountered a return of high-speed bouncing from Spain, and Mercedes had some questions over its Spa improvement.
Extra just lately, Crimson Bull has been questioning whether or not the stability issues it’s going through are a consequence of a brand new ground design it launched on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
McLaren group principal Andrea Stella says one of many keys to his squad not hitting any mid-season hurdles to this point this yr is that it solely introduced one correct main improve – so the dangers of hassle have been minimised.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Picture by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Photos
And he provides that, whereas work is ongoing again on the manufacturing unit on an upgraded ground, McLaren will wait till it’s sure the brand new half works earlier than introducing it.
“We have not introduced a major improve since Miami,” mentioned Stella about why the group had escaped the destiny that different squads have hit with upgrades.
“The following related improve, not as large as Miami, was in Zandvoort, and it did not contain the [whole] ground – it was only a element. It was another areas of the automotive.
“However there is a cause why we have not introduced some upgrades – as a result of we see that, had we pressed the go button, we would have had some doubts when these components have been examined full-scale on the actual automotive.
“So we’re taking our time to persuade ourself that the event is mature to be taken trackside.”
Whereas McLaren was in a position to dominate the current Dutch Grand Prix weekend, Stella thinks that efficiency was the exception slightly than the norm – with gaps between the automobiles minimal.
Nonetheless, he reckons {that a} sturdy exhibiting at Monza final weekend – the place McLaren locked out the entrance row and secured a double podium end – exhibits it may be fast anyplace now.
Stella added: “I believe really the grid order could be very a lot to do with the drivers having the ability to nail the grip accessible, slightly than the automotive being a dominant automotive.
“If we have a look at the actual lap occasions, slightly than simply merely taking a look at positions P1/P2, then we see that each driver of the quickest 4 groups was in situation to truly lock the primary place on the grid.”