Formula 1 is about relentless development, and at the 2025 British Grand Prix, teams like McLaren, Red Bull Racing, and Aston Martin have once again decided to raise the bar. The reigning World Champion team, McLaren, continues its efforts to maintain its dominant position, while Red Bull, led by Team Principal Christian Horner, is determined to return to the front of the pack. Meanwhile, Aston Martin—headquartered right in Silverstone—is gradually improving its development processes, benefitting from technical insights reportedly inspired by legendary engineer Adrian Newey.
McLaren Seals the Floor of the MCL39 and Revises Brake Ducts
Last week, McLaren brought an extensive set of micro-upgrades to the Formula 1 grid. But the team based in Woking hasn’t slowed down for the Silverstone weekend either. They have introduced yet another technical step, this time focused on reshaping the floor geometry of the MCL39. Detailed analysis of these upgrades will follow in the coming hours.
What is already known is that McLaren engineers have worked on the car’s floor edge—specifically the floor’s sharp edge—a crucial area where teams aim to maximize aerodynamic sealing. This section of the car appears to have undergone reshaping. The reason behind the redesign is quite clear: to improve fluid dynamics and airflow management in that region of the car.
In addition to this, changes have also been made to the rear brake inlet, which further underscores the significance of the floor modifications. The goal is not only to enhance the internal airflow of the brake cooling duct but also to increase the efficiency of the overall airflow mass circulating through the brake duct system on the MCL39.
Red Bull Seeks More Downforce on the RB21
The Red Bull Racing team, based in Milton Keynes, has also brought a key upgrade to the Silverstone circuit—again involving the floor of the RB21. The team of engineers led by Technical Director Pierre Waché has altered the geometry of the vertical fences located at the entry of the Venturi tunnels. These fine-tuned adjustments improve the pressure distribution across the faces of the aerodynamic appendages, which is a critical aspect in Formula 1 aerodynamics.
This modification influences the energy of the vortex generated by these components. In the case of the RB21, its vortex structure is designed to create a significant increase in vertical downforce. However, generating a more energetic vortex also requires ensuring its stability across various driving conditions. If the vortex becomes unstable or breaks down, it can seriously compromise the car’s handling and balance.
It is no coincidence that both McLaren and Red Bull Racing have introduced new floor developments for Silverstone. The British Grand Prix circuit requires a high amount of downforce generated by the floor, especially due to the presence of numerous high-speed corners. However, teams must also ensure that this downforce is clean and efficient in order to run a lower rear wing setup and boost aerodynamic efficiency.
Last weekend in Austria, Scuderia Ferrari introduced a new floor and hopes it will work well in combination with the medium-downforce rear wing package specifically designed for the Silverstone layout.
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