Although Lando Norris’ triumph was not won entirely on pace, as Max Verstappen’s RB20 was damaged after he ran over that bollard, it was clear that McLaren’s upgraded MCL38 is now a serious challenger.
What’s most important to understand, though, is that its success is not just the result of the single upgrade package brought to Miami.
Instead, it has been a carefully plotted plan that can be traced back all the way to before the 2023 MCL60 had even turned a wheel in anger because the team knew it was not good enough.
This approach meant something of a leap of faith, as it brought only minor performance updates in the opening races of last season while it worked on the major overhaul it knew it needed.
What arrived at the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix was substantial, with Lando Norris the first to sample what was akin to a B-Spec machine.
The transformative Red Bull Ring changes
The package installed on Norris’ MCL60 was completely transformative, not only in terms of looks but also in lap time, as the team immediately leapfrogged its way towards the front of the pack in a manner that’s very unusual in modern F1.
The focal point of the update package was on the sidepod arrangement, with more of an underbite created, as the lower lip of the inlet was raised and brought forward [2]. This resulted in a much more generous undercut, providing passage for the airflow to the rear of the car.
Meanwhile, the mirror assembly was adjusted [3] to alter the flow conditions on the sidepod’s upper surface which had also been fettled, with the shape of the rear ramp altered and a deep-water slide gulley also added [7].
In restructuring the aerodynamic surfaces, McLaren also altered its radiators and cooling, which also led to the engine cover and cooling outlets being redesigned.
The larger panel of vertical louvres on the side of the engine cover [9] were replaced with a longer panel in a more rearward position and featured much shallower louvres [8].
To supplement this, an additional outlet was added around the lead arm of the upper rear suspension wishbone [11].
There were also changes to the floor’s body, floor fences and edge wing, all of which are critical in finding performance under these regulations and must work in conjunction with the surfaces around them.
Leading the way at Silverstone
The update package was further complemented at the following race, when McLaren had enough parts at its…
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