In the ultra-competitive world of Formula 1, every thousandth of a second is the result of a delicate balance between power, aerodynamics, and efficiency. In the 2025 Formula 1 season, a (relatively) new technical truth is emerging strongly: the difference between a win and a mediocre result no longer lies in the engine or aerodynamic load, but in the thermal and mechanical management of the tyres. And in this “Tyre Formula”, McLaren is asserting itself as the undisputed queen.
Aerodynamics and engine: advantages now reduced
With the technical regulations introduced in 2022, F1 underwent a new aerodynamic revolution. However, after four years of development, the teams have now reached a significant level of convergence. Differences in downforce between cars have shrunk, and even the most refined technical solutions — beam wing, flow conditioners, and complex floors — struggle to create stable advantages across all circuits.
Added to this is the engine freeze, in place since 2022 and valid until the hybrid revolution of 2026. This means that power differences between various power units are now minimal, almost negligible in terms of pure performance, and reliability is now extremely high and common to all teams. This makes certain elements that once decided the fate of a Grand Prix less decisive.
The new black gold: tyres
McLaren has developed a car, the MCL39, capable of managing tyres perfectly under all conditions. In qualifying, it quickly brings the tyres into the optimal window, ensuring grip sector after sector from the very first flying lap, without reaching the final sector with tyre degradation. In the race, the car maintains the ideal temperature without overheating, even over long stints.
In this sense, Lando Norris’s words are emblematic: “It’s impressive how our car behaves in every condition. The work done in the factory on balance and tyre management is really paying off.”
At the heart of this excellence is a simple concept, but one that is extremely difficult to achieve: the car’s dynamic balance. McLaren presents a car with well-connected axles, capable of offering a stable and predictable platform both in slow and fast corners. This allows for:
precise and clean corner entry;
stable mid-corner behavior with minimal chassis movement;
effective exits without wheelspin.
The result is a uniform and controlled use of the tread, with well-distributed loads and heat generation that never gets out of hand.
The “secret” of brake cooling
One technical element that might contribute to McLaren’s advantage is how brake heat is managed, particularly at the front. It is speculated that a system channels hot air to help warm the tyres more quickly but without excess, especially when ambient temperatures rise. This could also explain the MCL39’s superior performance during hotter race weekends.
In this regard, the team had to reveal some details at the last round, when, in the mandatory update presentation document to the FIA, it disclosed significant changes to the airflow management system used to cool the front brakes. The document reads:
“A new geometry has been developed for the front brake duct winglet, aiming to improve airflow management in that area and achieve an overall increase in the car’s aerodynamic efficiency.”
Near-intelligent suspension: how McLaren “reads” the asphalt
McLaren also stands out for its ability to “map” the asphalt precisely. Thanks to a less rigid setup, the MCL39 absorbs track imperfections without compromising stability in fast corners. The balance between both ends of the car ensures a stable platform in every phase of the corner.
A relevant detail is that the car manages to maintain an effective ride height without excessively wearing down the wooden skid block, avoiding penalties. Some analysts speculate that the suspension system behaves similarly to active suspensions — even though they’re banned by the regulations — in a manner similar to what Red Bull did in the early seasons of the new regulatory cycle.
Flexible wings: the possible aerodynamic “trick”
One of the most discussed elements of McLaren’s recent success is the possible controlled flexing of the wings, both front and rear. This feature would allow the MCL39 to dynamically vary its aerodynamic behavior depending on speed, partially simulating the effect of banned active suspension.
At high speeds, a slight flexing of the wing can reduce aerodynamic load, improving top speed; during braking or cornering, the wing can return to its natural position, ensuring greater grip. This behavior could contribute to the overall balance and stability of the car in every phase of the lap.
However, starting from the Spanish GP, the FIA will introduce a new technical directive with stricter limits on wing deformation. More rigorous static tests will be carried out to verify the compliance of wing profiles. It will be interesting to see if McLaren can maintain its advantage even after the introduction of these new technical checks.
This update does not seem to worry the team: “We know the new directive on wing flexing might affect many teams. We’re ready, because our advantage doesn’t rely on a single trick,” Oscar Piastri recently declared.
McLaren has understood that in modern Formula 1, mechanical intelligence is worth more than pure power. With a balanced car, able to preserve tyres, read the asphalt, and make use of brake heat, the Woking team has projected itself to the top thanks to the coherence between every technical component.
A journey that began just two years ago, with patience and constant, progressive optimisation, without any magic formulas. Once again, we borrow the words of those involved:
“It’s not just about aerodynamics: our strength is the whole package, the coherence between what we design and how we use it on track.” – Andrea Stella, McLaren Team Principal
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