F1 | McLaren queen of medium-speed corners: one secret is in the brake drums
The McLaren MCL39 has established itself as a truly dominant car thanks to its remarkable superiority in tyre management and its unmatched competitiveness in medium-speed corners, which make up the majority of the layouts across the 24 circuits on the Formula 1 calendar. The adaptation of the papaya-coloured car to the Dutch track, which requires medium-to-high downforce, is another perfect example of this strength.
The technical superiority of McLaren is astonishing, giving the impression that rival teams have no choice but to surrender to an era of dominance that is not the result of a single factor, but rather a combination of elements that together have made the MCL39 almost unbeatable.
Max Verstappen has also formed his own opinion on the matter: “First of all, McLaren is significantly better when it comes to tyre management. They keep the tyres alive much better than any other car on the grid. You can clearly see this in wet conditions, especially with intermediate tyres that usually overheat after a few laps. They, instead, have this aspect completely under control.”
But tyre management is not the only factor. Another key advantage is the pace McLaren demonstrates through medium-speed corners, which are the most common across the 24 Grand Prix circuits. Team principal Andrea Stella confirmed this by saying: “It is an easy assessment that comes simply from looking at GPS data. By comparing our speeds with those of other teams, the data shows that McLaren is capable of generating the highest mid-corner speed in medium-speed turns.”
McLaren has also shown an impressive ability to adapt its car to different tracks and varying temperature conditions. This makes the MCL39 a moving target for competitors, regardless of the 299-point advantage that the Woking-based team already holds over Ferrari, its closest challenger in the Constructors’ Championship.
The Zandvoort circuit seems almost tailor-made for the papaya machine. The track on the shores of the North Sea requires a medium-to-high aerodynamic downforce setup, similar to the configuration seen at the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest, which demanded maximum vertical load.
In the Dutch garages, the preparation of the MCL39 has revealed the meticulous attention given to the brake drum assemblies. The team, led by technical director Rob Marshall, has developed several options to control the temperature inside the airflow channel that forms between the two brake drums.
Experience has taught the engineers how to manage the flow of cool air, which needs to be separated from the hot air used to cool the braking system (disc and caliper). As shown in the images captured by our colleague Roberto Chinchero, it is possible to direct the airflow in a way that keeps the temperature constant across the entire surface of the drum. This prevents excess heat from being transferred to the wheel rim and then to the tyre, which could otherwise affect the tyre’s operating window and compromise performance.
It is therefore no surprise to see a brake duct design that allows a greater volume of air intake, even though the forecast temperatures in the Netherlands will be considerably lower than those recorded in Budapest. With a high risk of rain predicted for the Dutch weekend, such attention to brake and tyre temperature control could once again prove decisive for McLaren’s continued dominance.
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