2025 McLaren F1 Team

[Farnborough]

It's like attempting to run across quicksand, making estimate of gain in real pace time, especially from untested winter development etc.

McL do seem to fundamentally understand what they've got, the development path thats most beneficial, then reasonably able to "close out" their internal comparison through method and tools, to bring this to the car.

A shaky start to new era in 2022, but with fundamental core of latent mechanical concept to then begin understanding this rule set. A progressive thinking technical group, one which appears quietly comfortable with an enquiring outlook.

The best will usually and carefully accept accolade once the job is done, trying to avoid the foolish claims before that has been tested

[mwillems]

Well, it really depends on what the competition is doing. For example, rumors from Ferrari were saying they gained 1s in in the simulator, but Ferrari winter rumors are very unreliable. Half a second is good given the restricted nature of the regulation + this being the last year of these ruleset, but it only remains good until someone manages to find even more.

Agreed, if it is half a second, it feels like a good step.

If Ferrari found a second ill be shocked and impressed.

[CjC]

If Ferrari want to win both titles this season then they need to have gained that 1 second in laptime.

I’d say McLaren was still quicker than Ferari towards the end of last season barring the amazing race pace in Austin which could have been due to it being a sprint weekend and McLaren not totally nailing the set up.

If Ferrari have improved by a second then they’ll be 2 to 4 tenths ahead of McLaren and if so, hats off to Ferrari- they will have done a mega job over the winter.

However, my question regarding ‘the second’ gain is on what track will they have gained a second? I know we talk about the base line of the cars but the cars fluctuate from track to track. For example McLaren was near enough untouchable in high downforce spec after the summer break so if Ferrari have gained a second in high downforce spec I’d be tempted to say McLaren would still be the faster car in said spec.

[FittingMechanics]

Well, it really depends on what the competition is doing. For example, rumors from Ferrari were saying they gained 1s in in the simulator, but Ferrari winter rumors are very unreliable. Half a second is good given the restricted nature of the regulation + this being the last year of these ruleset, but it only remains good until someone manages to find even more.

Ofcourse but I'm talking about what Stella said. If it tracks linearly on the upgrades they had in last 2 years, that is a massive step. Let's remember that two years ago before Austria the car was nowhere. McLaren gained the most in that period so any linear extrapolation from that point would very likely make the car even faster than the rest (if others keep improving at pace they did last 2 years).

Obviously this is not proof of anything but at least it tells us that the team is very optimistic going into the season. Hopefully we are not disappointed, going back to midfield would make missed opportunities for Lando hurt that much more.

[CjC]

Midfield??

[Macklaren]

Anyone here going to the Big show tomorrow?

[mwillems]

It's like attempting to run across quicksand, making estimate of gain in real pace time, especially from untested winter development etc.

McL do seem to fundamentally understand what they've got, the development path thats most beneficial, then reasonably able to "close out" their internal comparison through method and tools, to bring this to the car.

A shaky start to new era in 2022, but with fundamental core of latent mechanical concept to then begin understanding this rule set. A progressive thinking technical group, one which appears quietly comfortable with an enquiring outlook.

The best will usually and carefully accept accolade once the job is done, trying to avoid the foolish claims before that has been tested

Stella isn't really like that. He's open about the development and made 2 statements about his expectations. A few tenths found, and in line with previous upgrades.

He and most sensible people know on track this can change and he doesn't know what time others have found.

It's a good nugget of info and worth some optimism and does narrow the suggested gains to a small window.

[mwillems]

If Ferrari want to win both titles this season then they need to have gained that 1 second in laptime.

I’d say McLaren was still quicker than Ferari towards the end of last season barring the amazing race pace in Austin which could have been due to it being a sprint weekend and McLaren not totally nailing the set up.

If Ferrari have improved by a second then they’ll be 2 to 4 tenths ahead of McLaren and if so, hats off to Ferrari- they will have done a mega job over the winter.

However, my question regarding ‘the second’ gain is on what track will they have gained a second? I know we talk about the base line of the cars but the cars fluctuate from track to track. For example McLaren was near enough untouchable in high downforce spec after the summer break so if Ferrari have gained a second in high downforce spec I’d be tempted to say McLaren would still be the faster car in said spec.

Ferrari finished ahead of us in 5 of the last 6 GPs, they were very fast.

If they find a second over the winter it'll be massive.

[djos]

It's great to see good Aussie businesses getting behind Oscar... I wouldn't mind trying that burger, sounds tasty!

For the non-Aussies, Grill'd is a good quality burger chain, not a Macca's/BK/HJ's clone.

https://grilld.com.au/oscar-piastri?utm ... ent=launch

[FittingMechanics]

Midfield??

Who knows, margins are tight. Better have lower expectations than be disappointed.

Obviously I feel that the team is doing good and they seem confident, but I've been here through the bad years as well so I know it doesn't always work out.

[Darth-Piekus]

Let's not jinx it. We are gonna be top again.

[Seanspeed]

Anyone here going to the Big show tomorrow?

I considered it, but decided to put that money towards Goodwood FoS tickets instead. I think that's gonna be miles better a celebration of F1's 75th anniversary for fans. And I haven't been in like five years, so seems like the right time to head back.

[haza]

Same livery as last season was really hoping for some white

[Marc.W]

Saved money in the livery department to spend on the speed department

[Darth-Piekus]

So officially what we saw at the Silverstone test was the MCL39. So opinions.