P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren CEO Zak Brown claimed the team elected to modify its controversial ‘mini-DRS’ rear wing to prove to its Formula 1 rivals that it wasn’t the secret to its newfound advantage.
The Woking-based McLaren F1 team has made a remarkable jump from a backmarker at the beginning of 2023 to leading the 2024 Constructors’ standings by 41 points with six rounds left. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have secured three of the last four victories, with Piastri’s win in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix raising some eyebrows due to concerns about the flex in the McLaren rear wing. McLaren agreed to tweak the rear wing design in cooperation with the FIA to address rivals’ complaints, though McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown hinted at more to the decision. Despite the controversies, Red Bull and Ferrari voiced their discontent to the FIA about McLaren’s rear wing flexibility, which, while not breaching the rules, raised ethical questions about drag reduction. McLaren’s dominant performance has prevented Red Bull’s Max Verstappen from winning in the past eight races, with Norris now closing the gap in the Drivers’ standings to 52 points. Nico Rosberg suggested that Red Bull should be wary of McLaren’s pace potentially leading Norris to win all remaining races and challenge for the World Championship. Overall, the F1 season has been marked by McLaren’s resurgence and their rivals’ efforts to keep up with their innovative and fast-paced development.
