McLaren Formula 1 boss Andrea Stella has noted that the team’s upgrades for the Miami Grand Prix should be a “decent step” but not as big as the ones last season.
The Woking-based squad has been regarded as the most improved team over the past 12 months, having gone from enduring Q1 exits to regular podium challengers.
McLaren introduced a substantial upgrade package in Austria last Juli which reversed its fortunes prior to introducing more developments in Singapore in September.
But as McLaren bids to close the deficit that remains to Red Bull, Stella has cautioned that he is not expecting as sizeable a leap with the newest parts on the MCL38.
Asked about the expectation for the Miami updates, Stella said: “These upgrades will not be as big, as the two that we had delivered last year in Austria and Singapore.
“But it should be a decent step. Like it should be noticeable. I cannot say much more than that. Because otherwise we talk about numbers. I would like to keep confidential.
“But let’s say not as big probably as Austria and Singapore. But noticeable.”
McLaren CEO Zak Brown had stated that the team’s strong record between wind tunnel and track correlation should place it in a good place to maximise the benefits.
However, Stella has warned that there can be “surprises” that prop up and is taking no guarantees that McLaren’s latest parts will deliver the anticipated step forward.
“If things correlate with our expectation with the wind tunnel numbers for instance and with the computer simulation,” Stella added.
“It’s always a big if, because even if the heat rate of this correlation has been good over the last 12 months there’s always possible surprises.”
McLaren heads to the first of three rounds Stateside this campaign sitting third in the Constructors’ Championship on 96 points, 55 points behind Ferrari in second.
