How McLaren MCL38 rear wings became a benchmark in Formula 1. McLaren considers its rear wing designs during the 2024 F1 season as a “source of pride.” .

The McLaren team’s rear wing designs drew attention in Azerbaijan, where, at high speeds, the upper element appeared to tilt upwards more than rival teams deemed acceptable, creating a gap between the two elements referred to as a “mini DRS.”

After rivals questioned the legality of the design, the FIA ruled that McLaren’s rear wings complied with regulations. However, the federation requested modifications to prevent other teams from pursuing similar solutions. Reflecting on one of the key technical debates in F1 during 2024, McLaren’s Technical Director, Neil Houldey, explained that the controversy over the mini DRS was seen by the team as recognition of its innovative capabilities.

The Technical Director’s Remarks
“If we look back 12 months ago, no one was paying attention to what we were doing,” Neil Houldey said. “Today, there’s a sense of pride in knowing that other teams are closely watching us.”

“Now, up and down the pit lane, people are observing our work, trying to understand what we’re doing and attempting to emulate us. This shows how much we’ve grown over the past 18 months and confirms the quality of the performance we’ve brought to the track.”

“We knew the solution was compliant with the regulations. Some teams weren’t happy, but after discussions with us, the FIA expressed a desire to limit the proliferation of this technology to avoid forcing others to develop similar solutions. They asked us to reduce the system’s effect to a level comparable to other teams. We accepted this request without issue. We always look for opportunities, as everyone does, but we also aim to maintain a constructive dialogue with the FIA in the interest of the sport.”

A Journey That Began in 2023
In addition to the radical upgrade package introduced in Miami, the development of rear wings was a decisive factor in McLaren’s success, enabling the team to outperform Ferrari and Red Bull and secure its first Constructors’ Championship title since 1998.

“It was clear that our rear wings weren’t optimal last season, both in terms of efficiency and DRS effect,” Neil Houldey explained. “Improving in that area became a top priority during 2023 and for this year. The goal was to become a leader in this sector. We managed to turn a weakness into one of the car’s main strengths, and it’s one of the reasons why it’s so fast. We are very close to Red Bull’s level in terms of DRS. It’s an area we’ll continue to work on, along with the rest of the car. There’s still plenty of room to improve and add more performance.” – McLaren’s Technical Director concluded.