The Woking team has defied all predictions to establish itself as the dominant force in the 2025 championship. Here’s how, according to Nick Wirth
McLaren’s transformation represents one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent Formula 1 history. The Red Bull, the car that Max Verstappen drove to four consecutive World Championships, now languishes in fourth place in the performance hierarchy, surpassed by Mercedes, Ferrari, and especially the MCL39, which appears to have unlocked levels of performance that were unthinkable until recently.
The theory of the engineer behind McLaren’s victories
Nick Wirth, a veteran of aerodynamic development and a pioneer in the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) during his time with Virgin Racing, put forward a fascinating hypothesis on The Race F1 Tech Show podcast. According to the British engineer and founder of Simtek, McLaren’s leap in performance stems from a technological breakthrough in CFD simulations, a competitive advantage that rivals are still struggling to decipher.
“The fundamental limitation of wind tunnels is their inability to replicate cornering flows,” Wirth explains. “I wouldn’t be surprised if McLaren has made a significant leap precisely in this area, generating 15 more points of aerodynamic downforce compared to the competition.”
McLaren: it’s not just about tire management
The former designer dismisses theories attributing the success of the MCL39 to tire cooling or brake duct design, emphasizing instead a more substantial aerodynamic advantage. “When you have that much additional downforce, thermal management issues are automatically resolved,” he adds.
The technical revolution intertwines with a precise market strategy. The arrival of Rob Marshall from Red Bull and the integration of Peter Prodromou into the aerodynamics department have catalyzed a transformation that goes far beyond mere updates. The restructuring that began in 2023 laid the foundations for a long-term project, culminating in the current dominance.
Prodromou, an expert in digital aerodynamics, recently renewed his contract with a multi-year agreement, signaling the management’s trust in his abilities. This investment could prove crucial for 2026, when the introduction of new regulations on chassis and power units will completely reshape the competitive landscape.
Wirth issues a warning to McLaren’s rivals: “If they have truly discovered something fundamental, their competitors would do well to be concerned. This advantage will carry on into 2026 and beyond.”
The convergence of technological innovation and human talent has created a synergy that transcends a single season. While Red Bull struggles to rediscover its technical identity, Mercedes lags behind, and Ferrari grapples with a seemingly endless restructuring of its team, McLaren appears to have found a path that promises to redefine the balance of power in the Formula 1 paddock for the years to come.
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