Dry or wet, one outcome remains certain: the McLaren MCL39 consistently performs with remarkable competitiveness in every condition. Its aerodynamic load—achieved not only through wing configurations but critically via the car’s floor and body—combined with its excellent ability to keep tyres within the ideal operating window, makes the difference, particularly over long race distances and especially when rivals begin to struggle.
Had the British Grand Prix at Silverstone been dry, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner suggested McLaren would still have been fast in areas where others felt defensive. Horner acknowledged that Red Bull had not anticipated a wet race, since forecasts predicted rain only before the start of the Grand Prix, not during. Consequently, nobody expected the downpour on lap 10 that reshaped the race.
Red Bull paid the steepest price for that unexpected rain. Their low-downforce wing—optimised for dry conditions—backfired dramatically once the circuit became wet. In contrast, McLaren remained unfazed and even flourished. In a weekend where rivals appeared relatively close in pace, it was rain that magnified McLaren’s dominance, repeatedly confirming the exceptional effectiveness of the MCL39.
This strong performance originates from an almost perfect equilibrium, making the Woking-based car incredibly versatile. It adapts seamlessly to a range of conditions, including those it wouldn’t typically favor—such as low ambient temperatures that can lead to front tyre graining. While rear-wing selection is certainly a factor, it is only one aspect of a much broader performance picture.
Andrea Stella, McLaren’s racing director, explained after the race that rear-wing choice is not the sole reason for superior performance in wet conditions. He emphasised that tyre usage and the ability to maintain optimum tyre temperature are equally crucial. Stella pointed out that in certain moments of the race, McLaren drivers were over a second per lap faster than the field—not just due to wing configuration but because of efficient tyre management.
Two fundamental strengths defined McLaren’s 2025 season—and these were clearly evident under challenging conditions: aerodynamic load generated by the floor and bodywork, and exceptional tyre management. These qualities became especially apparent as the track began to dry and rivals started experiencing tyre degradation. Early in the race, several teams gambled on slick tyres before the start, but the track remained too wet, and two Virtual Safety Car periods further delayed the drying process.
As laps progressed, the circuit became increasingly suitable for slick tyres. But for drivers who had stayed on intermediate compounds, conditions worsened—they overheated and degraded quickly. To counter this, drivers began seeking intermittent wet patches on the straights to cool their tyres.
This is precisely where McLaren’s advantage emerged. The MCL39’s ability to keep tyres “fresh” delivered a tangible competitive edge: less degradation and more consistent grip. This result is made possible by the substantial aerodynamic load created by the car’s floor, which allows for higher cornering speeds without overtaxing the tyres.
McLaren truly shines in these moments, exploiting the struggles of competitors. By lap 10—before rain returned—Oscar Piastri was significantly fastest, while Lando Norris closed the gap to Max Verstappen, maintaining a clear advantage over the rest of the field .
In essence, a pattern seen earlier in Australia resurfaced: as long as the tyres held up, the McLaren was highly competitive. When tyre wear and temperature spikes kicked in, the MCL39 extended its lead while others began to falter.
It’s worth recalling that intermediate tyres are relatively soft compounds. They need to deliver strong grip in damp conditions but can overheat rapidly as the track dries. This leads to swift performance drop-off due to both tread wear and rising operating temperatures, resulting in tyre overheating.
It therefore comes as no surprise that Andrea Stella highlighted tyre management as the key factor for excelling in wet conditions. High aerodynamic load remains important—especially at fast circuits like Silverstone—where teams like Red Bull opt for lower downforce wings to gain straight-line speed in dry conditions. But in wet or mixed weather, that additional downforce provides stability and, more importantly, instills confidence in the drivers.
What truly makes the difference is the car’s interaction with the tyres: maintaining them within their optimal operating window. This is where McLaren achieves not only pure pace but consistent performance over time. As Stella described it, even midfield teams can showcase surprising speed if they, drivers included, manage this balance well .
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, contrasting the Italian squad’s wet-weather difficulties with McLaren’s strengths, observed: maintaining a constantly effective car under varying track conditions is very tough—but that is precisely where McLaren outpaces everyone else.
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