McLaren has successfully developed its F1 car over the last two seasons as it looks to claim its first title in almost two decades.
McLaren’s chief designer, Rob Marshall, has highlighted the team’s advantage in delivering major upgrades in one go instead of gradually introducing new parts. The Woking-based team unveiled significant updates in Miami and Zandvoort this year as they aim for their first F1 title since 2008. Currently leading the constructors’ championship by 41 points over Red Bull, with Ferrari a further 34 points behind, McLaren’s strategic development approach has propelled them to the front of the field from a challenging start in 2023. Marshall emphasized the benefits of introducing upgrades simultaneously, ensuring that parts are designed to work harmoniously together rather than risking unforeseen complications by implementing changes incrementally. By developing components concurrently in CFD and wind tunnel tests, McLaren builds confidence in the performance of their upgrades as a cohesive package, avoiding potential conflicts that may arise when modifications are introduced piecemeal.