Even before the timing, what stands out from McLaren during testing is the team’s and drivers’ familiarity with the car, despite the many changes made to the project. On the MCL39, the Woking-based team has once again updated the steering position, which was already an innovation on the 2024 world championship-winning car and later became something competitors tried to emulate. This solution is symptomatic of the technical boldness of the world champions, though any potential side effects will need further analysis.
The New Steering
Due to the poor quality of the images from the shakedown and the rush of the test days, it was initially reported that the MCL39 had confirmed the steering placement behind the lower suspension triangle. However, a closer look reveals that McLaren has moved the steering element just above the triangle, now placed in front of the further rearward control arm.
This new architecture likely presented several design challenges, but evidently, the Woking team was not afraid to tackle them. The proximity between the steering arm and the suspension triangle creates a cascade of profiles, useful for directing airflow towards the floor and underfloor. However, this solution certainly has implications for the chassis dimensions, suspension kinematics, and the steering angles of the wheels, all of which are connected to tire usage and the management of their turbulent wake in corners.
It is not surprising, therefore, that during the tests McLaren conducted some constant-speed trials to find the maximum steering angle, in order to verify every aspect of the design. It is worth noting, though, that Mercedes’ new W16 now mounts the steering arm behind the lower triangle, drawing inspiration from a solution on the MCL38, which McLaren has already evolved.
The uniqueness of McLaren’s steering is emblematic of the originality of the solutions found on the MCL39. Among these is the pronounced inclination of the front suspension triangles, designed to prioritize aerodynamic influence, both in terms of airflow conditioning and height stabilization. The geometries are so extreme that they raise some concerns among industry experts, who question whether the kinematics compromises could cause issues with curbs and setup.
Many Innovations, Few Surprises
In addition to the noticeable changes on the exterior, there are other innovations hidden under the bodywork. The bold nature of some solutions was reportedly responsible for the MCL39’s long pit stops during testing, with the team working to verify the correct functioning of the components. The ambition with the 2025 project was to make a significant leap forward rather than proceed with small incremental steps, knowing that the competition would also grow.
Despite the innovations on the car, the McLaren 2025 has not been altered in terms of behavior compared to its predecessor, with drivers perceiving it as similar in handling. The world champions’ intent was not to change the car’s dynamic characteristics but simply to increase aerodynamic efficiency by boosting downforce and reducing drag. From this perspective, the continuity with the 2024 car helped McLaren’s preparation, making them appear the most ready during the Bahrain tests. However, the rise in temperatures on the final day exposed some instability in the rear, justifying calls for caution from those who already see the British team as a favorite for the Formula 1 world titles.
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