After a challenging start to the season, the McLaren team faces new challenges with its MCL40 car. In the latest United States Grand Prix, Lando Norris expressed the feeling that the team “is one step behind”, highlighting the difficulties in achieving good performance from the car in slow corners.
With the goal of improving control and speed, McLaren has introduced the first upgrades from its latest update, which will be rolled out gradually up to the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Although the team has made gains at mid-season, performances in slow corners and straight-line speed continue to be weak points of the MCL40.
The car’s setup is perceived as a “knife’s edge”, with a response requiring extremely precise driving from the drivers. Norris has described his experience as mentally draining due to the need for a high level of concentration to control the vehicle in every corner.
The issue with slow corners is not solely dependent on aerodynamics. Although Norris has an adaptable driving style, he will need the team to adjust the car so that he can trust its response in the corners. The new suspension design aims to provide drivers with a better “feel” during driving.
In addition to modifications in the front geometry, McLaren plans to introduce changes in the diffuser and other aerodynamic components in the upcoming races. It is known that the new components have been in production since early September, with the aim of changing the vehicle’s dynamics and taking it to a new level of performance.
Andrea Stella, the team director, has expressed his anticipation for the upcoming improvements, hoping to regain competitiveness that allows them to aim for the podium. McLaren is not the only team seeking stability while working for better performance—Mercedes also has to manage its updates cautiously. The complexity of introducing improvements and ensuring they work as expected is a common challenge for all Formula 1 teams.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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