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McLaren Technical Director of Engineering Neil Houldey has explained how it avoided its rivals’ development hurdles throughout the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.
McLaren won its first Constructors’ title since 1998 last year and had the best overall package after a seismic floor upgrade in Miami. Red Bull started strong in 2024 but faced balance issues as the season progressed. Ferrari finished close behind McLaren, needing to restart development after a Spanish Grand Prix upgrade caused issues. Mercedes struggled throughout the season due to the narrow performance window of the W15. McLaren’s meticulous approach to upgrades, as explained by Houldey, focused on manageable deadlines and ensuring each part improved performance across the car. This strategy paid off in 2024 and will be continued with the philosophy of “doing the right things for the right reason.”