McLaren Aims for Success in Final Races After Vegas Setback

Formula One champions McLaren are optimistic about their prospects in the final two races of the season, scheduled for Qatar and Abu Dhabi, despite the recent disqualification of drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in Las Vegas. Team principal Andrea Stella expressed confidence in a team Q&A, stating that the challenges faced in Las Vegas, which were attributed to excessive wear on the rear skids, were specific to that street circuit and would not alter their racing strategy.

Focus on Upcoming Races

Stella emphasized that McLaren’s established car setup would be effective at the Lusail International Circuit this weekend. “We have a well-established and consolidated way of setting up the car, and we are confident that this will lead us to an optimal plan for the coming races,” he said. He acknowledged that the Las Vegas experience provided valuable insights into the car’s operating window and its porpoising behavior.

Porpoising, a term associated with ground-effect aerodynamics, refers to the oscillations a car undergoes when it bounces on its suspension at high speeds, resulting in a loss and subsequent recovery of downforce. Stella noted that the McLaren team experienced “large vertical oscillations” during the Las Vegas race, which contributed to the disqualification.

Stella clarified that the level of porpoising was intensified by the specific conditions the car encountered during the race. “We did not anticipate the behavior based on our practice sessions and the predictions regarding the car’s operating window,” he explained. He firmly rejected claims that the team took unnecessary risks regarding ride height, stating that a safety margin had been factored into both qualifying and the race.

Learning from Experience

The team principal pointed out that the unexpected oscillations negated the additional clearance intended to prevent the car floor from making contact with the ground. “Going slower, which should have increased clearance, only proved partially effective and was counterproductive in some areas of the track,” he said. Stella reiterated that the challenges faced in Las Vegas were anomalies rather than a reckless pursuit of performance.

As the championship approaches its conclusion, Norris leads Piastri and Red Bull’s four-time world champion Max Verstappen by 24 points, with a total of 58 points available across the final two grand prix and one sprint race. McLaren has already secured a second consecutive constructors’ title, and Stella affirmed that the team would maintain its approach to driver management. “There is no reason to change our strategy. Unless the math dictates otherwise, we will continue to allow both drivers to compete for the championship,” he stated.

With a focus on teamwork and a commitment to learning from past experiences, McLaren enters the final races with renewed confidence. “We are prepared to fight for the double world championship, fully aware of our strengths,” Stella concluded. The upcoming races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will be pivotal as McLaren aims to solidify its standing in the championship.