2025 McLaren F1 Team

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The software itself is homologated. They can not build their own one. Not make it more efficient, etc.

It's still possible to use different modes. Just not under parc fermé anymore.

[Gillian]

Afaik the software itself is homologated but different engine modes are allowed, including ERS deployment and fuel related. The homologation pertains to certain parameters being in an allowed window (rev limit, delays, etc).

Running the ICE more "aggressively" would imply things like maybe changing ignition timings and RPM limits, and such things would surely be part of the ECU homologation, no? And where would these "spicy modes" come from? Presumably Merc is in control over the ICE modes and they need to be the same across all of their customer cars. One can't have a super mode available that none of the others can use.

I think the first part is actually allowed, as long at it is been within specified constraints. The latter part is a good point but it does not mean all engines across all teams are identically mapped. So playroom is limited, but not non-existent.

[Quantum]

McLaren know how to manage the risk of an engine failure, they have a flawless track record for 4 years. I trust them a whole lot more on that than a guy who thinks RB finished 2nd in Brazil. A pit lane start for McLaren would be a needless gift to Verstappen in the championship. It would make it easier for him to win in Vegas, and it would make it very unlikely that McLaren finishes in the top 5 when all 4 top teams look competitive. That could be 15+ points in Verstappen's pocket which means that Lando puts himself within reach if he has a DNF in the last two races. Totally unnecessary for McLaren to give a gift like that to RB when they have no reason to suspect an imminent engine failure.

Moreover, if Lando DNFs and Max wins he's 24 points behind, not 14 as you say. Finally, you keep talking about these "aggressive engine modes", but as I said in another comment, I'm quite sure this isn't even allowed in the regulations now. The regulations state that you are only allowed one ECU homologation per year, so suddenly introducing more aggressive engine modes would be out of the question.

Between 3rd and 2nd doesn't invalidate any of the points. None of the points I made were addressed.
And running engines more aggressively is permissible it's just detrimental to engine life. We see it all the time in practice sessions. Race modes are also not all run to the highest output because....reliability. Lando actually has an engine in his pool of 4 that ended in a smoking mess at Zandvoort. You want him to run that in the next 3 races?

Vegas also has a high chance of a safety car. Especially with the race start on cold tyres in cold ambient temps.

You are also assuming that Max will win the race.

By the same assumption you can assume a 25 point loss if Lando retires from the lead AND puts strain on the remaining pool of engines available. Or, you wait for the Qualifying result and if Max is outside the top 3 you take the new engine and bag some points at a track that has a good chance of a safety car that has a high period of time on full throttle.
Added benefit is that that engine can be ragged for the next 2 races. Because that is where it will be won or lost...not in Vegas unless Max DNF's.

[Farnborough]

Afaik the software itself is homologated but different engine modes are allowed, including ERS deployment and fuel related. The homologation pertains to certain parameters being in an allowed window (rev limit, delays, etc).

Running the ICE more "aggressively" would imply things like maybe changing ignition timings and RPM limits, and such things would surely be part of the ECU homologation, no? And where would these "spicy modes" come from? Presumably Merc is in control over the ICE modes and they need to be the same across all of their customer cars. One can't have a super mode available that none of the others can use.

I think the first part is actually allowed, as long at it is been within specified constraints. The latter part is a good point but it does not mean all engines across all teams are identically mapped. So playroom is limited, but not non-existent.

In broad concept, the banning of "party" modes brought about an inverted structure, as I understood it.

Rather than a door to "Narnia" it puts the highest output mode as "Normal" with the engines then utilising restricted modes for general operating, which is allowed.
The events of use at different strat then being "metered" out in totality to comprise the working life of a PU.
That would bring the use profile of a particular PU to have no longer available the highest deployment strat in ultimate conservation of that PU in further use.

[Badger]

Afaik the software itself is homologated but different engine modes are allowed, including ERS deployment and fuel related. The homologation pertains to certain parameters being in an allowed window (rev limit, delays, etc).

Running the ICE more "aggressively" would imply things like maybe changing ignition timings and RPM limits, and such things would surely be part of the ECU homologation, no? And where would these "spicy modes" come from? Presumably Merc is in control over the ICE modes and they need to be the same across all of their customer cars. One can't have a super mode available that none of the others can use.

I think the first part is actually allowed, as long at it is been within specified constraints. The latter part is a good point but it does not mean all engines across all teams are identically mapped. So playroom is limited, but not non-existent.

I don't see how it passes since it would be a de facto party mode, and it would be exclusive to certain cars which would "challenge the regulations" to borrow a turn of phrase from Stella. But who knows, it's complicated.

Either way it makes no sense for McLaren to take a penalty.

[f1isgood]

McLaren should have taken a penalty at Spa or some race where they would have gotten a reasonable points finish. They had plenty of such races previously. The tracks now aren't the greatest to race in the pack and both their drivers especially the to-be WDC of this year cannot drive in traffic and pass cars quickly as he's too tentative.

[venkyhere]

I don't understand this 'worry' about engine life in this thread. Would this discussion even happen had Max not been out in Q1 in Brazil ? The WCC is already won , and the WDC gap to a non-Mclaren driver is 49 points, with 3 races to go. Why are we even discussing this ? The McLaren F1 team has enough knowledge, tact and risk v/s reward analysis within them, to decide when to trade grid positions for a fresh engine and when not to. Relax guys, they are not a weekend hobbyists, they are a professional F1 team. They will take a decision (or not even consider the matter at all) - if they suffer for it, let them ; if they don't, well good for them. Why are we laymen thinking 'we know better' and debating whether McLaren needs a new engine or not ?

[Darth-Piekus]

Good night from me. I'll probably miss both Qualifying and the race as it's very early in the morning and I'm not doing another Australia wake up. Good luck to our drivers. May we drop Verstappen out of the title from this race. If not. Damage limitation.

[Macklaren]

P19 and P20 in FP3. IT'S OVER. all hail 5x WDC Max

[Watto]

Lando looked okay without the issue Oscar is a concern

[Macklaren]

Lando looked okay without the issue Oscar is a concern

What issue?

Oh the telemetry issue? Yes, he was 3/10 up on Max P1 time on old tires before he boxed the lap. The team had new tires waiting but had to call it off because of the issue

Is there precedent here? If it's not resolved before quali, will they be allowed to participate?

[Szabi1112]

Congrat Lando. What a lap was that excluding the last sector. Last sector was a harder warming pace

[Macklaren]

INCREDIBLE from NOR. if/when he wins WDC, he will thoroughly deserve it. Hoping for a Carlando masterclass tomorrow to harry VER

[matt_b]

Gotta hand it to Lando there delivered in those crazy condition where so much can go wrong, worth staying up for to see that kind of performance under pressure

[FittingMechanics]

Dominant performance by Norris. He looked on pace for pole throughout Q3.

Without the mistake he was probably +1s on the whole field. Amazing pace.

A shame Piastri couldn't make the lap, he probably would have been P1 or P2 if there was no Racing Bull. I need to see if that was intentional by them.

All in all, looking good, Norris just needs to play this smart tomorrow and McLaren WDC is in the bag.