McLaren, a cold shower in Imola that gives pause for thought. The Woking team, in a Formula 1 season that has just seen its seventh round, suffered defeat at the hands of Max Verstappen’s dominant Red Bull. And this wasn’t a narrow loss: before the Safety Car, the RB21 had a considerable advantage over the MCL39s. A surprising gap, as Andrea Stella pointed out.
The Short-Term Future of the MCL39
First of all, it should be said that the historic British team is almost ready with its first real upgrade package. The new parts are under evaluation, as the English team has no intention of getting it wrong. This has always been their approach—it’s better to wait a little than to have to revise updates later. As we know, McLaren was the only team last year that didn’t get a single upgrade wrong.
And this is the same principle that Stella wants to apply to the car again in the current 2025 racing campaign. In addition, there’s the matter of Technical Directive TD018, which could change the balance of power starting in Barcelona, potentially even impacting Ferrari if things don’t go their way. As we wait for next week—when all teams will have to comply with new aeroelasticity regulations—Monte Carlo is up next.
McLaren arrives at the Monaco Grand Prix with a clear goal: to confirm its competitiveness on an iconic and particularly demanding track. The British team once again comes in as a favorite, thanks to its excellent adaptation to technically challenging circuits. However, the Imola result showed how tight the grid is and how setup and other factors can play a crucial role.
McLaren, Versatility and Tyre Management
The Monaco circuit poses unique challenges, with uneven tarmac and a layout of corners that requires flawless grip and traction management. The British cars have already shown they can adapt well to bumpy surfaces, finding an effective operating window for the MCL39. The team’s ability to build a competitive setup in the short time between Friday and Saturday will be decisive.
This is especially true considering how important simulations are for optimizing technical decisions. Everything ultimately comes down to finding a setup that gives the drivers maximum confidence. One of the strengths of the MCL39 this season is tyre management, a still-critical aspect in Monaco—though in a different way. The main challenge for all teams will be balancing the temperature between the front and rear ends.
The rear tends to heat up quickly, which can cause excessive wheelspin on acceleration. Due to the thermal profile of the track, the front struggles to receive enough energy—especially into the inner part of the tyre (the bulk). The car’s front suspension features a strong anti-dive characteristic, which could further complicate the transfer of energy into the tyre.
On the other hand, thanks to the British team’s extensive work on brake ducts and a potential use of materials capable of changing their state of matter, the Woking cars haven’t shown any major issues so far in managing tyre temperatures. The system—meaning the entire car—has delivered effective thermal balance in such a demanding environment.
McLaren, Qualifying a Key Factor
As always in Monaco, qualifying will be decisive. The British team is very strong over a single lap, but here the driver will play a crucial role, especially in Q3, where a perfect balance between aggression and control will be needed to secure the ideal starting position. With such a tight grid, a single mistake could compromise the entire weekend.
Red Bull arrives in Monaco after an important development step that expanded the RB21’s operating window and closed the gap to the British cars. This means we can expect an even closer battle. However, considering the track characteristics and the thermal demands placed on the tyres, the MCL39 has everything it needs to emerge and fight for the win.
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