Looking back 12 months, or even just after the fourth race of the 2024 season, few would have predicted a Constructors’ Championship not headed to Milton Keynes. Yet, 26 years after their last triumph in 1998, McLaren claimed the team title in a season where the Woking squad stood out thanks to a car that, on multiple occasions, proved to be the best on the grid following extensive behind-the-scenes work.
Interestingly, with proper comparisons, the RB19 and the MCL38 share one common feature: versatility. While the Woking car didn’t reach the peaks of the RB19 in 2023, the MCL38’s versatility throughout the recently concluded season was the key to securing the Constructors’ title, consistently performing well across a wide range of circuits.
However, reviewing the season, the British car wasn’t always the most competitive, particularly during the opening races, where it often ranked as the third-best team. This was due to delays accumulated during winter development, reminiscent of 2023, when the MCL60 debuted with clear shortcomings but improved significantly with updates.
This same trajectory repeated itself this year. At the start of the season, the MCL38 was often the third-best car behind Red Bull and Ferrari. In the first five races, the car’s weaknesses were evident: difficulties in handling softer tires, especially where there was a risk of rear overheating, as seen in Miami qualifying, and persistent issues with the front end.
This underperformance stemmed from the MCL60’s legacy, as the previous car suffered from chronic understeer in certain types of corners, particularly slow ones. This issue resurfaced, for instance, in Australia, where the MCL38 excelled in medium-to-high-speed turns but struggled in slower sections.
Additionally, in races, aside from strategic considerations, the Woking car experienced front-end graining with softer tires, an issue that recurred later in the season.
McLaren’s climb to the title began by addressing these shortcomings, with significant progress made following the introduction of a new package in Miami. While it didn’t solve all the MCL38’s flaws—such as difficulties managing rear tire overheating on hot circuits in qualifying, as seen in the U.S., or in early laps at Imola—it delivered a clear performance boost.
The key aspect of this package was laying the groundwork for what became the most versatile car of the championship. Its innovations were so effective that another floor update was delayed until the second half of the season. This package not only provided more aerodynamic downforce but also improved drivability, two pillars that enabled McLaren to dominate the Constructors’ Championship.
At technical tracks like Barcelona, these improvements became evident. While Red Bull remained highly competitive in ultra-high-speed corners, McLaren balanced strong performances in fast sections with greater effectiveness in medium-to-slow corners.
This success was due to progressive improvements to the front end and the car’s potential on medium-to-high-downforce circuits, which had been a focus during development. As seen at Imola and Canada, the MCL38 handled curbs exceptionally well without destabilizing its setup, an area where the stiffer Red Bull struggled.
These advancements allowed McLaren to consistently compete at the front, benefiting from targeted updates that didn’t compromise the car’s handling. The MCL38 offered excellent drivability and continuous improvement, addressing weaknesses like performance on low-downforce circuits.
The introduction of a redesigned family of rear wings, more suited to fast tracks, addressed these issues. McLaren introduced eight different rear wings and 14 beam wing solutions throughout the year. These changes, alongside work on reducing drag, enabled the MCL38 to excel at circuits like Monza, where it locked out the front row.
Although McLaren didn’t win the race at Monza due to front-end graining, this remains a limitation of the Woking car. Addressing graining, particularly in specific conditions, will be a focus for 2025. The new tires debuting next season, with greater mechanical resistance, may also help mitigate this issue.
In a season defined by development uncertainty, McLaren’s ability to consistently improve the car made the difference. Each update enhanced the MCL38’s versatility, with great drivability and a wide operational window. Particularly after the Miami package’s introduction, the car was often quick straight out of the box, cementing its status as a technical masterpiece.
Leave a Reply