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Stella: F1 development curve will flatten amid third year of rules cycle
The 2022 rules cycle has been dominated by Max Verstappen and Red Bull, but other teams have been closing the gap, setting up 2023 to be one of the most competitive seasons in history in terms of lap time differences among all 10 teams. Stella, McLaren’s Team Principal, expects diminishing returns on aero development with the stable regulations entering its third year. Adding lap time might start showing diminishing returns for the first time with these new regulations, Stella noted. McLaren finished fourth in 2023 after a turnaround, but other teams are adopting Red Bull-like design philosophies, making significant jumps harder. Stella hopes F1’s budget cap and aerodynamic testing restrictions will level the playing field and increase competitiveness.
