McLaren has revealed that recent upgrades delivering the expected step have provided the team with more encouragement heading into the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The Woking-based squad had shown a reluctance to introduce new parts amid worries that it could experience the same issues that its rivals have endured this term.
Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull have all encountered unanticipated complications with updates that have derailed their competitiveness at various stages this season.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s approach to not rushing developments has paid dividends in 2024 as the MCL38 has been recognised as the benchmark package since Miami.
But with the campaign in the closing stages, McLaren elected to bring updates to the United States and Mexico last month in a bid to preserve its championship lead.
Among the changes included was a revised floor design, the element which has served to catch out numerous teams through the current ground effect regulation era.
However, McLaren boss Andrea Stella divulged the updates again aligned with expectations, boosting the side’s prospects in both the short-term and looking to 2025.
“We were very encouraged that the data from the front wing and underbody at the racetrack corresponded to what we had recognised in development,” Stella said prior to last weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
“The updates were not as extensive as some in the past, but they contributed to the lap time. Just as we had expected.
“That also gives us a lot of confidence as we prepare for the 2025 season.”
McLaren won’t become complacent
McLaren’s competitiveness in wet conditions didn’t equal its pace in the dry in Brazil, resulting in Lando Norris’ title hopes all but being ended as Max Verstappen won.
READ MORE – McLaren attributes Lando Norris mistakes in Brazil GP to ‘unpredictable’ F1 car
Nevertheless, McLaren still departed Interlagos having extended the advantage in the Constructors’ Championship to Ferrari to 35 points with three rounds remaining.
But despite its commanding position, Stella is adamant that McLaren will not become complacent in its hunt to end a protracted title drought stretching back to 2008.
“We at McLaren are focussing on ourselves,” he insisted. “There is no one opponent on whom we would prioritise.
“We have all our opponents in our sights. We don’t care whether it’s Red Bull, Mercedes or Ferrari. It’s all the same for us.
“But Ferrari has continuously developed its car. There was a phase where development didn’t go as expected, but Ferrari has overcome that.
“I think it has got some of its problems under control and now it has a very strong car. Ferrari has done a good job.”
READ MORE – McLaren: F1 Drivers’ title was ‘always secondary’ to Constructors’ bid in 2024
