Formula 1
Why McLaren is holding back on its upgraded floor
McLaren is preparing a new upgraded floor to boost its F1 title challenge, but is taking a cautious approach before introducing it
Jonathan Noble
Published: Sep 5, 2024, 7:26 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Mechanics push Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, to his grid slot
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
McLaren has revealed it is holding back on bringing a new floor for its Formula 1 car because the team thinks it risks the same downgrade problems rivals have faced.
The Woking-based outfit is locked in a tight fight with Red Bull for the F1 championships this year, and accepts it has a shout of winning both constructors’ and drivers’ crowns.
With so little performance difference between cars, McLaren is aware that any gains that can be made from upgrades could be decisive.
However, the squad has admitted to some caution about introducing a floor upgrade that it has been working on, in case it triggers the kind of unintended consequences that other squads have encountered.
Throughout the 2024 season, a host of outfits have hit trouble when new floor designs, aimed at increasing downforce, have also delivered unwanted side effects.
Aston Martin’s season took a downturn at Imola with a major upgrade there, Ferrari encountered a return of high-speed bouncing from Spain, and Mercedes had some questions over its Spa development.
More recently, Red Bull has been questioning whether the balance problems it is facing are a consequence of a new floor design it introduced at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says one of the keys to his squad not hitting any mid-season hurdles so far this year is that it only brought one proper major upgrade – so the risks of trouble have been minimised.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
And he adds that, while work is ongoing back at the factory on an upgraded floor, McLaren will wait until it is certain the new part works before introducing it.
“We haven't brought a significant upgrade since Miami,” said Stella about why the team had escaped the fate that other squads have hit with upgrades.
“The next relevant upgrade, not as big as Miami, was in Zandvoort, and it didn't involve the [whole] floor - it was just a detail. It was some other areas of the car.
“But there's a reason why we haven't brought some upgrades – because we see that, had we pressed the go button, we might have had some doubts when these parts were tested full-scale on the real car.
“So we are taking our time to convince ourself that the development is mature to be taken trackside.”
Read Also:
While McLaren was able to dominate the recent Dutch Grand Prix weekend, Stella thinks that performance was the exception rather than the norm – with gaps between the cars minimal.
However, he reckons that a strong showing at Monza last weekend – where McLaren locked out the front row and secured a double podium finish – shows it can be quick anywhere now.
Stella added: “I think actually the grid order is very much to do with the drivers being able to nail the grip available, rather than the car being a dominant car.
“If we look at the real lap times, rather than just simply looking at positions P1/P2, then we see that every driver of the fastest four teams was in condition to actually lock the first position on the grid.”
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 Santander joins F1 as official partner after Ferrari exit
Next article Ferrari appoints Mercedes signing Serra as new F1 technical director
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
McLaren
Who slept worst last night: Lando Norris
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
Who slept worst last night: Lando Norris
Lando Norris laments "very bad job" in qualifying for F1 United States GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Lando Norris laments "very bad job" in qualifying for F1 United States GP
Latest news
What happened to Austin Hill at the end of Talladega NASCAR Cup race?
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
34 min
What happened to Austin Hill at the end of Talladega NASCAR Cup race?
Sesks tight-lipped on WRC future after ERC season finale triumph
WRC
WRC WRC 1 h
Sesks tight-lipped on WRC future after ERC season finale triumph
Franco Colapinto responds to Jeremy Clarkson’s controversial comment about him
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
Franco Colapinto responds to Jeremy Clarkson’s controversial comment about him
WRC legend Carlos Sainz set for Ford Puma Rally1 outing
Other rally
Misc Other rally 2 h
WRC legend Carlos Sainz set for Ford Puma Rally1 outing
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