McLaren is the favorite according to common opinion. The F1 tests have provided information that the MCL39 is considered the most ready car in the field. And it probably was, at least in Bahrain. It remains to be seen if it will be the same in Australia, because according to various engineers, the level of competitiveness is quite similar among the top teams, and once again, the details will make the difference. The Albert Park circuit is a semi-street circuit that winds around the picturesque lake of the same name, with a length of 5.278 km.
The first sector starts with a main straight followed by a series of 90-degree corners, which require good traction on exit. The second sector is smoother, with fast corners that test the aerodynamic stability of the cars. The final part of the track features slower, more technical corners, where the car’s mechanical balance is crucial. The track is quite peculiar, and the asphalt tends to be “green” in the early sessions, offering little grip, which promotes phenomena such as graining.
As the first race of the season, we still don’t know everything about the MCL39, although some aspects have already emerged through the tests. The British car stands out for the adoption of a particularly pronounced anti-dive angle at the front, taking the concept introduced by Red Bull in previous seasons to the extreme. This technical choice aims to reduce front-end dive during braking, with the clear goal of improving the stability of the aerodynamic platform in pitching.
However, on F1 tracks like Albert Park, where the front-end is not excessively stressed, a thermal imbalance of the tires could occur, as we discussed in previous weeks, also in relation to Pierre Waché‘s comments. This phenomenon occurs when the front tires do not reach the optimal target temperature, compromising grip, especially in the early stages of qualifying laps. Similar situations were observed by Red Bull in the 2023 edition, highlighting the sensitivity of this balance.
McLaren, Ride heights, and drag
Another challenge for McLaren concerns the sensitivity to ride height. The Albert Park circuit features several irregularities with some bumps on the asphalt. The MCL39, with a rather high suspension stiffness window, may struggle to absorb these bumps, especially under braking, affecting stability and the effectiveness of vertical push. Aerodynamic efficiency will be one of the main topics of the weekend, a crucial aspect for the perfect execution of the weekend.
The resistance to forward motion of the MCL39 seems improved, but only in the first official event will we know if the team has actually nailed the equation. From a handling perspective, the British car has shown some oversteering tendencies. The front end provides excellent precision and responsiveness, but the rear end can quickly reach saturation on corner exit when the driver applies power, requiring careful and precise throttle management.
The approach to setup remains the same
Despite these characteristics, the McLaren team does not expect radical changes in the setup approach compared to the previous season. Team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that the MCL39 is an evolution of the previous car, maintaining similarities in drivability. Therefore, the goal will be to stabilize aerodynamic load to effectively tackle the medium-high speed sections, seeking an optimal compromise in suspension stiffness to handle the track’s bumps.
The feedback from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri after the three days of F1 in the Middle East is positive, indicating a solid and competitive car in race pace. However, with minimal gaps between the various teams, setup development will play a crucial role in determining on-track performance. As demonstrated extensively in the 2024 Formula 1 season, an optimal setup can overturn the competitiveness level of a car, making the adaptation to the specific conditions of the Australian circuit decisive.
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