Red Bull driver advisor Helmut Marko noted McLaren’s pure speed, being between seven tenths and a second faster during the Miami Grand Prix, revealing their superiority. The race showcased McLaren’s potential fully for the first time in Formula 1 2025 after overcoming previous concealed speed due to race circumstances.
Lando Norris impressively closed the gap to Max Verstappen in just 13 laps after slipping to sixth position in Florida, demonstrating McLaren’s competitive edge. McLaren’s advantage in speed on hotter circuits, such as Miami, was evident as Norris swiftly regained his position. The nearly 40-second gap to third-place George Russell was attributed to McLaren’s superior tyre management and aerodynamic versatility.
McLaren engineers have excelled in identifying factors affecting tyre management and designing the car for an advantage in this area, a crucial aspect in Formula 1. The MCL39’s improvements in tyre management, aerodynamics, and mechanical efficiency have propelled McLaren to a dominant position in the ground-effect era, with a significant lead over competitors. Overall, McLaren’s strategic advancements in tyre management and car design have been paramount to their success in F1 2025.
