2025 McLaren F1 Team

[the EDGE]

Another new sponsor

https://www.mclaren.com/racing/latest-n ... l-partner/

Never heard of them, but a quick search makes me feel very optimistic about what this partner can do for McLaren

[Emag]

The quality and materials used for manufacturing can indeed have an impact on performance. Especially on temperature and/or weight critical parts.

[Macklaren]

https://x.com/i/status/1887426506361872425

Stella looks very stoic, calm and very very confident so far this season (in interviews etc, even in this video)

[WardenOfTheNorth]

As far as RBR b*tching and moaning, it could just be an act.

Isn't that just Horner's approach. Love him or loath him, he's definitely effective.

[taperoo2k]

As far as RBR b*tching and moaning, it could just be an act.

Isn't that just Horner's approach. Love him or loath him, he's definitely effective.

It's difficult to know when Horner is genuinely annoyed that a TD has gone against Red Bull or if he's playing mind games with other teams.
The teams must have known the FIA were likely planning to clamp down on flexi wings, so will have had
that in mind in the design phase. Seems a bit pointless given the technical regs for 2026 has movable aero parts.

[Waz]

It's not pointless. It cleverly avoids the 2013 scenario, when Vettel won all the races in the second half simply because other teams stopped development.

[diffuser]

As far as RBR b*tching and moaning, it could just be an act.

Isn't that just Horner's approach. Love him or loath him, he's definitely effective.

It's difficult to know when Horner is genuinely annoyed that a TD has gone against Red Bull or if he's playing mind games with other teams.
The teams must have known the FIA were likely planning to clamp down on flexi wings, so will have had
that in mind in the design phase. Seems a bit pointless given the technical regs for 2026 has movable aero parts.

From what I understand, it doesn't work that way. Generally these TDs come about from some team asking the FIA for clarification on "something". At this time of the year, you'd have to believe it's on something they're working on, as they don't know what others are doing. I presume that during the year it could be to block something that someone else is doing.

[Mostlyeels]

It's not pointless. It cleverly avoids the 2013 scenario, when Vettel won all the races in the second half simply because other teams stopped development.

Was this was after the Silverstone tyre blowouts, and Pirelli had to switch back to the old tyre construction, and the Red Bull worked much better on the older tyres than it did on the new ones? I think the situation was a little different -- RB never planned to get an advantage in that way -- but I do agree it might have a similar effect to the new TD (though a much smaller difference in performance I reckon).

Another lesson from that season: even if you're not winning races, if you can be consistently score points in the first 1-5 positions, you can capitalise and bring home the WDC if there's a sudden change in fortune.

[mwillems]

Isn't that just Horner's approach. Love him or loath him, he's definitely effective.

It's difficult to know when Horner is genuinely annoyed that a TD has gone against Red Bull or if he's playing mind games with other teams.
The teams must have known the FIA were likely planning to clamp down on flexi wings, so will have had
that in mind in the design phase. Seems a bit pointless given the technical regs for 2026 has movable aero parts.

From what I understand, it doesn't work that way. Generally these TDs come about from some team asking the FIA for clarification on "something". At this time of the year, you'd have to believe it's on something they're working on, as they don't know what others are doing. I presume that during the year it could be to block something that someone else is doing.

With the FIA in its current state, it could easily be one individual that woke up and decided that they'd push through a change.

Quite how much notice they got is hard to tell. But it's not hard to imagine that conversation starting in December, or later, long after much of the 25 design work.is done.

I've no idea who this helps or harms, but I do think that it's an odd situation, it doesn't feel massively collaborative, well timed, or that there really was much notice.

[the EDGE]

Isn't that just Horner's approach. Love him or loath him, he's definitely effective.

It's difficult to know when Horner is genuinely annoyed that a TD has gone against Red Bull or if he's playing mind games with other teams.
The teams must have known the FIA were likely planning to clamp down on flexi wings, so will have had
that in mind in the design phase. Seems a bit pointless given the technical regs for 2026 has movable aero parts.

From what I understand, it doesn't work that way. Generally these TDs come about from some team asking the FIA for clarification on "something". At this time of the year, you'd have to believe it's on something they're working on, as they don't know what others are doing. I presume that during the year it could be to block something that someone else is doing.

I don’t think that would be the case here. That usually happens when something is clarified, but in this instance we have a clear tightening of an existing test

I really think this is being blown out of proportion. No one is saying wings can’t flex all of a sudden, they are simply saying when the test is applied, the wing can’t flex as much as it currently can

Smart teams will work around this, and the wing under load will probably still flex as much as it does now, or very near it at least anyway. I suspect it will have a very small effect on performance

[WardenOfTheNorth]

It's difficult to know when Horner is genuinely annoyed that a TD has gone against Red Bull or if he's playing mind games with other teams.
The teams must have known the FIA were likely planning to clamp down on flexi wings, so will have had
that in mind in the design phase. Seems a bit pointless given the technical regs for 2026 has movable aero parts.

From what I understand, it doesn't work that way. Generally these TDs come about from some team asking the FIA for clarification on "something". At this time of the year, you'd have to believe it's on something they're working on, as they don't know what others are doing. I presume that during the year it could be to block something that someone else is doing.

I don’t think that would be the case here. That usually happens when something is clarified, but in this instance we have a clear tightening of an existing test

I really think this is being blown out of proportion. No one is saying wings can’t flex all of a sudden, they are simply saying when the test is applied, the wing can’t flex as much as it currently can

Smart teams will work around this, and the wing under load will probably still flex as much as it does now, or very near it at least anyway. I suspect it will have a very small effect on performance

If anything this could give the teams, such as McLaren, who'd been using flexi wings for longer and advantage if they have a better understanding of how to work around the tests.

[Farnborough]

It's difficult to know when Horner is genuinely annoyed that a TD has gone against Red Bull or if he's playing mind games with other teams.
The teams must have known the FIA were likely planning to clamp down on flexi wings, so will have had
that in mind in the design phase. Seems a bit pointless given the technical regs for 2026 has movable aero parts.

From what I understand, it doesn't work that way. Generally these TDs come about from some team asking the FIA for clarification on "something". At this time of the year, you'd have to believe it's on something they're working on, as they don't know what others are doing. I presume that during the year it could be to block something that someone else is doing.

I don’t think that would be the case here. That usually happens when something is clarified, but in this instance we have a clear tightening of an existing test

I really think this is being blown out of proportion. No one is saying wings can’t flex all of a sudden, they are simply saying when the test is applied, the wing can’t flex as much as it currently can

Smart teams will work around this, and the wing under load will probably still flex as much as it does now, or very near it at least anyway. I suspect it will have a very small effect on performance

Yes, I view it the same.

Looking at the figures given out for new tests (I think this was from official notice ? ) the wing flap deflection is tested @ 60 newtons for the measurements. Which equates to roughly 6kg if these are correct, and my calculation this being a relatively small amount in contrast to the load coming on for high speed airflow.

If anyone's examined a front wing assembly hands on, then it's clear they'll sustain that with ease ordinarily. They're quite significant structure, against that which maybe projected from watching them remotely.

The load across the span, for droop ? Is already substantial and doesn't APPEAR to be moving much even last year. Tbat is a significant load already. I'd envisage that as more difficult to change or comply with, but doesn't look that many would be impinging on that as existed.

The balance of aero front to rear change seems more driven by the flaps "rolling" back to alter attack angle. It LOOKS like the FIA directive could be aimed at holding onto this aspect as opposed to letting someone come to races with something that moves so flat as to make a huge change in performance. Maybe those skinny flaps on MB were becoming a target for development that could give concern.

[Ground Effect]

Contract extension for Peter Prodromou

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mcla ... /10695051/

[ScottR267]

Allwyn who were linked to McLaren as a sponsor have signed up with F1 instead

[Ground Effect]

Allwyn who were linked to McLaren as a sponsor have signed up with F1 instead

According to Sports Business, a deal with McLaren is expected to follow. This was an article headline posted yesterday, subscription required though.

"Allwyn strikes F1 deal, McLaren to follow"