Breaking news
Formula 1
Seidl pushed for new McLaren wind tunnel "from day one"
McLaren Formula 1 team principal Andreas Seidl targeted the development of a new wind tunnel "from day one" of his new role.
Scott Mitchell Christian Nimmervoll
Edited: Jul 9, 2019, 4:40 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Ex-Porsche LMP1 head Seidl joined McLaren at the start of May and the team's commitment to building a new windtunnel was announced less than two months later.
Read Also:
McLaren currently uses Toyota's facility in Cologne and its own existing tunnel will be removed to make way for the new development, which will take around two years to build.
Seidl told Motorsport.com: "My mission from Zak [Brown, McLaren F1 CEO] and the owners is to work out as quickly as possible where I see weaknesses in the team.
"One immediate topic was the wind tunnel. That is an absolute must if you have the goal of joining the top. You need a modern wind tunnel."
McLaren's previous leadership encountered a correlation problem with its 2018 car design, what it was seeing in the wind tunnel, and finally the performance on track.
However, it has made a significant development step with its 2019 challenger.
Seidl said there are "several topics" that need to be improved within McLaren in terms of infrastructure but stressed the significance of the new windtunnel – which will be used by other areas of the McLaren business – as the reason he made it a high priority.
Asked if it was the first major measure on his watch, Seidl said: "That was an issue I tackled from day one. I'm of course very happy that the owners of the team agree with this view and approved it. Because it's a great sign, internally, towards the team.
"It's a confirmation that the owners of the team are serious about getting back to the top. And it's also a clear message to the outside world.
"That's important, for example when it comes to hiring additional people. The destination of our journey has to be clear."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Ferrari not expecting Silverstone to suit its car
Next article Formula 1 "not equipped" to revive tyre war
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Scott Mitchell
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Formula 1
Formula 1
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
More from
McLaren
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
WEC
WEC
Barcelona
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
Why McLaren cannot fix its F1 car handling until 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Why McLaren cannot fix its F1 car handling until 2027
Latest news
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
1 h
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Gresini: New MotoGP rules won't increase gap between factory and satellite teams
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Indonesian GP
2 h
Gresini: New MotoGP rules won't increase gap between factory and satellite teams
Tristan McKee joins JR Motorsports in 2027 with future plans for full-time ride
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
2 h
Tristan McKee joins JR Motorsports in 2027 with future plans for full-time ride
Colton Herta eyes potential Indy 500 return and IMSA enduros as 2027 plans remain in flux
FIA F2
F2 FIA F2 2 h
Colton Herta eyes potential Indy 500 return and IMSA enduros as 2027 plans remain in flux
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe