McLaren eyes game-changing ‘conceptual evolution’ for 2023 F1 car

Lando Norris' MCL60 (Image credit: Motor Sport Magazine)

McLaren’s 2023 F1 car will see a major ‘conceptual evolution’ change, pending approval. The team from Woking aims to push the current MCL60 to its limits before testing the 2024 vehicle in their new wind tunnel. McLaren Team principal Andrea Stella promises more advancements to build on recent podium successes in Britain and Hungary.

Andrea Stella explained that there would be another round of changes to the bodywork and floor. He also mentioned that they still needed to finalize the approval and that they had a few more days of work ahead. However, if they succeeded, they would try to implement it in one of the events shortly after the shutdown.

“We are working on an evolution of these concepts for post-shutdown. There is another kind of round [of changes to] the bodywork and floor. We still have to sign this off, and we have a few more days of work, but if we are successful, then we will definitely attempt to bring it in one of the events soon after the shutdown,” Stella said in Spa.

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McLaren’s gradual upgrade strategy pays off with podium triumphs

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella (Image credit: Planet Sport)

Despite the team’s gradual introduction of a significant upgrade package for its MCL60, drivers and management have been cautious in setting high expectations for recent races. However, McLaren was pleasantly surprised with podium finishes at the Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, and in the Spa sprint race last weekend.

In the same interview, Stella mentioned that they understood the recent upgrade’s outcome but were now focusing on a conceptual evolution, not just minor adjustments. Aerodynamic advancements were uncertain, requiring trackside testing despite accurate wind tunnel and CFD correlations. He noted this uncertainty was common among all teams.

Still thinking about @OscarPiastri leading his first laps in @F1. ??#BelgianGP ?? pic.twitter.com/UvyjBnifM8
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) July 31, 2023

“I think we kind of understand what happened with this one, but what we are working on is not only simple millimetres, it is a bit of a conceptual evolution,” he said, “So, there’s a degree of uncertainty with aerodynamic evolutions. And, really, the evidence comes only when you test these kinds of things trackside,” Andrea continued.

McLaren saw a sudden surge in performance at the British GP, where Lando Norris finished in P4. Since then, the Brit has clinched two podiums and an excellent recovery drive to seventh place at Spa-Francorchamps. McLaren currently sits fifth in the constructors’ championship with 103 points.