P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Stella: Improved rear grip McLaren’s key F1 2024 gain
McLaren’s team, led by the Italian, is focused on increasing overall grip as they advance through an intense development program following positive testing days in Bahrain. Despite facing minor setbacks like a fuel tank issue on Thursday, the team is satisfied with the performance of the car and the improvements made, particularly in rear axle grip and overall grip enhancement.
The team acknowledges there is still work to be done, mainly in enhancing aerodynamic performance and mechanical grip, as well as optimizing tire interaction. They plan to introduce advancements in these areas over the season to further enhance the car’s performance. The team’s Technical Director, Stella, expressed optimism about the car’s performance relative to last year’s model, noting that while some innovations didn’t make it to the launch spec, there is substantial potential in the background waiting to be explored.
Stella believes the team is on the right development path, despite not reaching the level of innovation seen in Red Bull’s RB20. He emphasized that McLaren is confident in their concepts and the evolution of the car compared to the previous year, even though there is still room for improvement. The team is determined to bridge the gap with competitors in terms of development progress as they strive for success in the upcoming races.
