McLaren team principal Andrea Stella stated that the team's recent shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya confirmed a solid baseline for the MCL40 car. He emphasized that major performance improvements will stem from mastering the new power unit and active aerodynamics. The test provided valuable real-world data after simulations.
The Barcelona shakedown marked McLaren's initial real-track evaluation under the new Formula 1 regulations. Over three days, drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri completed 291 laps, gathering extensive data on the MCL40's behavior. Stella described the session as "a very useful three days," noting that the car performed in line with simulations, unlike some correlation challenges in the prior ground effect era.
This alignment offers reassurance as teams navigate the steep learning curve of these entirely new single-seaters. "What emerged clearly is that the learning curve is very steep for everyone – drivers and teams alike – which means that every lap teaches you something useful in terms of performance," Stella said.
While the MCL40 provides a promising starting point, development remains crucial. Stella pointed to untapped potential in the power unit and driver options, as well as the variable aerodynamic setups like Corner and Straight Modes. "I believe that one of the areas where there is great room for improvement is in exploiting the new power unit and all the options available to the driver," he added. "There is also a lot of potential to be extracted in terms of managing the variable aerodynamic configuration."
Unlike the 2022 ground effect introduction, where power units and tires carried over, this year's changes demand rapid adaptation from the outset. McLaren now focuses on refining the package for immediate gains and long-term season strategies.
