P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Has McLaren nailed the aero/cooling demands of Mexico City better than Red Bull?
McLaren boss Andrea Stella cautioned against judging Red Bull’s Formula 1 car solely based on its performance in the Mexican Grand Prix qualifying due to a potential aerodynamic compromise. Despite Max Verstappen winning three of the last four races from pole position, he ended up fifth in qualifying, half a second behind McLaren’s Lando Norris. Norris’s pole position was McLaren’s first since the Belgian Grand Prix in July and their first qualifying session victory since the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The disparity in performance between McLaren and Red Bull in qualifying signaled a significant shift from their recent trends. Verstappen’s complaints about his car lacking grip, turning ability, and traction echoed his struggles before the summer break.
Stella highlighted the importance of the cooling system in the high-altitude, hot conditions of the Mexican race, suggesting that aerodynamic compromises for cooling purposes could impact performance. He emphasized McLaren’s investments in their 2025 car and cooling system engineering.
Despite potential aerodynamic concerns, Stella acknowledged Red Bull’s overall competitiveness and stressed the need for McLaren to focus on outperforming their rivals. McLaren’s advancements in tyre management and cooling solutions have been crucial factors in their improved performance in hot races, visible in their approach to the Mexican Grand Prix.
The implication that Red Bull may be sacrificing aerodynamic efficiency for better cooling explains their struggles in qualifying, contrasting with McLaren’s ability to optimize their aerodynamics and cooling solutions. This dynamic underscores the complexity and strategic considerations involved in Formula 1 racing.
