McLaren, considered the paddock’s benchmark car, is bringing the most updates during this crucial phase of the 2024 Formula 1 season. While other top teams have focused primarily on reliability, dealing with the thin air at Mexico City’s 2,240-meter altitude with large air outlets at the expense of aerodynamic efficiency, the Woking team has prioritized cooling the Mercedes power unit while still debuting a new floor on Norris’s MCL38.
Max Verstappen’s challenger missed the first free practice session for the Mexican Grand Prix, handing over the cockpit to Pato O’Ward, but an interesting aspect emerged when the papaya technical staff, midway through the first session and taking advantage of the red flag caused by Alexander Albon’s Williams crashing into Ollie Bearman’s Ferrari, switched the floor. They mounted the more advanced version on the Indycar driver’s car.
Changes affected almost all parts of the floor, with several flow deflectors directing air into the Venturi ducts, modifications to the underfloor structure, and an updated flow pattern on the floor’s outer edge, including further revisions to the cantilevered longitudinal wing.
McLaren, aware of Ferrari’s growth, aims to make a leap in quality, taking the risk of debuting a solution that should generate more aerodynamic downforce, recognizing that it could disrupt the delicate balance achieved by Rob Marshall. Scuderia Ferrari showed significant improvement in Austin, and if Lando Norris is to attempt a comeback on Max Verstappen, it’s time to pull out the best the car can offer.
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