P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren: 2024 F1 car changes have to go beyond just aero
The McLaren team has emerged as Red Bull’s strongest competitor in recent races, achieving podium finishes in five out of the last six races. Despite their progress, they acknowledge that they still have work to do before challenging Red Bull in terms of pure pace, especially in terms of tire management. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has stated that the only thing separating the two teams at the moment is how they handle tire degradation, with Red Bull having the edge in this aspect. The team is aware that they need to make progress in multiple areas, not just aerodynamics, as they work on their 2024 design. Stella mentioned that aerodynamics and mechanical factors both contribute to the tire degradation issue. McLaren expects next year’s competition to be different, as rivals like Mercedes and Ferrari are planning major revamps. However, Stella believes McLaren is in a good position to make progress this winter as they are starting from a more competitive platform. The current form of the McLaren team was achieved with a car that was not ideal at its launch, as they had to make significant changes throughout the season.
