McLaren remains the team to beat. In Formula 1, success is never improvised overnight. The British outfit’s long-term planning has paid off, with results already visible since last season. Now, McLaren is a top contender for both world championships, as none of its rivals appear to have a development path capable of challenging Andrea Stella’s project.
The aero-mechanical balance of the MCL39
The Austrian Grand Prix is a significant test for the historic Woking-based team, especially after the step backward in Canada. In Montreal, McLaren struggled to find the right setup. The MCL39’s balance was off, which might be partially explained by the FIA’s TD018 directive on flexible wings.
The Montreal circuit exposed some sensitivity issues, even for the usually solid McLaren. Cooler temperatures and reduced tyre stress benefited rival teams, and the lack of high-speed corners allowed competitors to close the gap. As a result, both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris found themselves in trouble throughout the weekend.
Austria, however, presents a different scenario. The Red Bull Ring offers new challenges with its distinct two-sector layout. The first half of the track is stop-and-go, where McLaren usually performs well thanks to strong traction and a setup window that allows them to manage acceleration zones effectively.
This part includes two straights and three medium-slow corners (1, 3 and 4). The second half is faster, with sweeping corners requiring higher minimum speeds. These conditions should suit the MCL39, which benefits from excellent underfloor stability. The varying demands of the circuit make it a complex challenge, but one that McLaren appears well-equipped to tackle.
TD018 keeps McLaren alert
That said, the impact of the TD018 directive still needs to be fully assessed. Reduced wing flexibility seemed to hinder McLaren’s ability to achieve optimal balance in Canada. The car didn’t feel as planted as it has on other circuits, and that limited the drivers’ ability to fight at the front.
It was the first time in the 2025 season that Zak Brown’s team looked significantly off the pace compared to the leaders. The British team accepted the setback without overreacting, and quickly bounced back in Spain, where a well-executed setup helped them dominate the weekend at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
This suggests the impact of TD018 may vary depending on track characteristics, and McLaren has been working hard to mitigate its effects. In Austria, the slower corners may present challenges. With less flexibility, generating aerodynamic load in tight sections is more difficult. How McLaren handles this issue will be one of the key talking points of the weekend.
Tyre management not a concern for McLaren
Finally, there’s the matter of tyre performance. Pirelli has chosen the same compounds used at last year’s Austrian GP. Hot conditions are expected, especially on Sunday, which should favour the MCL39. The car has consistently operated well in warmer weather and is very effective at managing its performance window.
Spielberg’s surface is generally abrasive, with high macro-roughness, but the lateral and longitudinal loads on the tyres are not particularly severe. The main concern is thermal degradation. Teams will need to manage surface temperatures carefully, especially on the rear tyres. This plays to McLaren’s strengths, as they’ve consistently excelled at thermal tyre management throughout 2025.
Leave a Reply