Here’s how McLaren is cleverly navigating the limitations of the ATR system
Intelligence, hard work, and a healthy, methodical, and calm environment — these qualities have arguably been McLaren’s greatest strengths over the past two years. The British team has avoided missteps, reckless upgrades, or any technical identity crisis. Instead, they have worked steadily and rationally, improving step by step while perfectly adapting to regulatory conditions. This disciplined approach has also allowed them to easily dodge the challenges posed by new technical directives that could have impacted their performance.
A dominant team with no hidden secrets
Despite McLaren’s dominant position in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship and their revolutionary car planned for 2026, the team has not slowed down development on their current car. At the recent British Grand Prix at Silverstone, McLaren tested a new floor designed to further optimize the performance of the MCL39. This test was limited to the first free practice session, a strategy the team has employed before to gather valuable data ahead of upcoming races.
This smart approach sacrifices one session to conduct on-track testing, compensating for the strict limitations on wind tunnel and CFD testing imposed by the Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions (ATR) system. This is only possible because of the team’s exceptional ability and speed in finding the right setup during the remaining sessions. Team Principal Andrea Stella confirmed the positive outcome of these tests:
“Our plan has always been to use FP1 as a test bench. For the new floor, we wanted an initial evaluation of this specific update because the next race is a Sprint event, making it harder to introduce upgrades and make proper comparisons. We are actually quite satisfied with what we saw. All indications point to introducing this floor in upcoming races.”
The new package, which began to be introduced progressively starting from the Austrian Grand Prix, also included a new version of the front suspension. This upgrade seems to have helped Lando Norris gain more confidence in qualifying — an area where he has struggled compared to his surprisingly consistent and solid teammate, Oscar Piastri. The two drivers are separated by just eight points in the championship standings, and both have a substantial lead over Max Verstappen, who is third with a 69-point deficit. This suggests that the drivers’ championship battle is likely to be a close two-horse race, probably undecided until the final race of the season.
A different story in the constructors’ championship
In the constructors’ championship, McLaren’s technical dominance has already created a substantial gap — they currently lead Ferrari by 238 points. However, the team in Woking has no intention of easing off:
“The performance we saw in Canada proves it: a small mistake is enough to lose a race. Winning is never guaranteed; it’s something you have to earn with preparation and hard work on the ground,” Andrea Stella recently stated.
The McLaren method
It is precisely McLaren’s disciplined approach that makes the difference. In today’s Formula 1, where leading teams receive the least time to test components in wind tunnels and CFD simulations due to ATR regulations, the Woking squad is demonstrating extraordinary efficiency.
“Our strategy for the second half of the season is simple: continue doing what we’re doing. Not only to achieve the same results but with the same determination. Our mission is to maximize our potential, keep winning, and give our fans exciting moments,” Stella said.
This approach is a reminder that Formula 1 is not just about cutting-edge technology or raw talent; it is also about a culture of hard work, resilience, and vision. Today, McLaren is the best example of this philosophy in action.
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