The 2023 Formula 1 season is witnessing a significant fall in the McLaren F1 team. They performed miserably in the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Lando Norris came last and Oscar Piastri had to abandon the car after trying to restart it with a different steering wheel but failed.
The new driver at McLaren, Piastri displayed excellent composure at the Saudi Arabia GP which gave him little advantage, despite coming in 15th place. Piastri started the race in eighth place but was involved in a small collision with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly that damaged his front wing and prompted a pit stop on the opening lap.
Special year. Special car. 🧡
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) February 13, 2023
#MCL60 is ready for the 2023 F1 season! 👊
McLaren’s performance in the previous season is not distinct compared to the current season. While the team had to let go of Daniel Ricciardo and brought in a rookie, McLaren hoped for a better season this time around which doesn’t seem to align with their expectations.
McLaren’s 2023 car
The FIA established a new rule last year for the 2023 season that required each team to increase their car’s height by 15 mm to lessen porpoising. Because the aerodynamic phenomenon was too extreme in some cars, it was soon turning into a concern for the safety and well-being of the driver.
Although McLaren initially supported this idea, the design and geometry of their 2023 car did not work well with the 15 mm ride height. They tried to boost performance by making little adjustments to their car’s floor, but they were unable to continue with the development. As the team began the new season, this was one of the biggest blows.
McLaren Racing statement on organisational changes within our Formula 1 team.
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 23, 2023
Like many of its competitors, McLaren changed its sidepod concept in 2022, switching from the narrow rear body design it used at the beginning of the season to something more reminiscent of the downwash ramp solution used by the Red Bull and AlphaTauri.
McLaren upgrades for 2023
The design of the downwash ramp and cooling gills has not changed, but the performance was intended to improve due to the reprofiled upper surface of the sidepods, which appears to have been recessed similarly to how Alpine did with their bodywork last season. It’s also not strange to see the engine cover idea come back because one of the teams had it in 2022.
Andrea Stella, the new team principal for McLaren described the MCL60 post the Bahrain Grand Prix and how compact and close the F1 midfield is, with nearly all of the cars being only a few tenths apart from one another. He also called the vehicle a midfield car.
Can McLaren boss the midfield this season?@lawrobarretto assesses their prospects for 2023 #F1 https://t.co/YyYX3PIUCJ
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 13, 2023
McLaren is restructuring and dividing its technical director role to prepare for the launch of a new wind tunnel, simulator, and manufacturing facility later this year. The upgrades will aid in designing next year’s car and will be at full capacity for the 2025 season. The new structure aims to provide clarity and effectiveness within the technical department and position the team to maximize performance.
McLaren’s team principal, Stella, is focused on leading the team back to the front of the field and establishing a long-term foundation. The team currently uses Toyota’s wind tunnel in Cologne, which is both challenging and costly, and has an outdated simulator.
Along with changes in the team, we will be seeing a few changes in the car’s aerodynamics and power unit too. However, it is difficult to say if McLaren will be ‘back on top’ this season any time soon. With a young driver lineup with Aussie Oscar Piastri and Englishman Lando Norris, the only way Bruce McLaren’s brainchild can go is upwards.
