McLaren, here is the new project: more aerodynamics to dominate

From the first images of the MCL39 on the Silverstone track for the first kilometres of shakedown last week, it was possible to notice a profound resemblance to the previous car. But this should not be misleading. In fact, it has already been possible to see a profound refinement of the project, both dynamically and aerodynamically. Obviously, the wings were not to be taken into consideration, which corresponded to one of the latest configurations seen on the MCL38, while it was absolutely relevant to note the kinematics of the front suspension, characterised by a very inclined upper triangle, with the attachment point of the very low rear arm, practically almost at the same level as the fulcrum of the pull rod arm. It is therefore interesting how the anti-dive characteristic of the front suspension appears much more accentuated than the previous model and this is further confirmed by the greater height of the front arm of the lower quadrilateral, compared to the previous one.

Here too, an attempt was made to increase the inclination of the lower wishbone for the same reasons that increased the inclination of the upper wishbone. The sidepods have a less rounded profile towards the outside, but above all the bodywork at the base of the bonnet is much less bulky and has an almost rectilinear profile, compared to the rounded one of the MCL38. There is also a different position, to be verified in the tests here in Bahrain, of the lower triangle of the rear suspension, which denotes a change in its kinematics, hidden by the different shape of the rear bodywork of the car.

These are the distinctive signs of a single-seater evidently born on the basis of its 2024 sister, but with the intention of making a leap in performance that can allow it to restart without uncertainty from where it finished last season. The Andrea Stella-Rob Marshall duo seems to be aware that they cannot make any missteps right from the start, knowing how much their rivals (read especially Ferrari) have invested in terms of a reasoned review of the previous project. It may be trivial to say, but the details this year, even more than in the recent past, will make the difference. Dare to avoid being taken aback by the progress of their rivals, especially those from Maranello.