McLaren Very Fast on the Straight in Las Vegas, But It Wasn’t Enough
Ah, the thrill of speed! Isn’t it just like a first date gone wrong? You’re all dressed up, ready to impress, and you get there only to realize you were aiming for the wrong kind of attraction. McLaren seemed to believe that sheer straight-line speed was the secret sauce to success in Las Vegas, but let’s face it: they might as well have brought a rubber chicken to a Formula 1 race. Because, in the end, it wasn’t enough!
So, what’s the scoop? Apparently, McLaren decided to ditch the “mini DRS” wing that had served them well in Baku and rolled out a weary version from the garage, one that looked like it had just come off a long-haul flight. It’s like going to a fancy restaurant and ordering last week’s leftovers. In our world, this is known as playing with fire… and they might just get burned!
To cut a long story short, the team went all-in on straight-line speed but forgot about those pesky curves. It’s almost like they aimed for the weak rear wing of the bunch, believing it would do the trick. But as the saying goes, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” and unfortunately for McLaren, this gave them precisely zero cards to play when it came to cornering. They may as well have been driving a shopping cart!
The lack of proper downforce compromised their grip and the tire temperatures—like trying to do the cha-cha with two left feet. When Q3 rolled around, they were finding it harder than a comedian trying to keep a straight face at an open mic. By the time the last stint came around, they lit up like a Vegas slot machine, going fast—when the conditions were just right and with a lighter load. Typical! Start slow and catch fire only when it’s too late. Seems like an F1 version of “better late than never.”
Everything is Different in Qatar to Challenge Ferrari
Now, onward and upward to Qatar, where the car will face entirely different challenges. Picture this: a track with corners that could throw spaghetti at your grannies better than they throw themselves at the wall to see what sticks! McLaren’s got the MCL60, which had a terrific showing last year. Let’s be honest; if it can tango with curves and heat, there’s a chance they’ll shake things up—assuming they remember how to dance without stepping on their own toes!
Last year, those nasty serrated curbs caused a lot of grief, making drivers stop for rubber repairs like they were at a pit stop party. This year, however, thanks to some sensible changes, we’re looking at curbs that won’t take your tires out for a nasty spin. Less invasive, folks—like a kitten in a room full of yarn! So McLaren should be feeling like they’re on borrowed time and hoping this track becomes their own version of ‘The Greatest Showman’ instead of ‘Cirque du So Lame’!
Let’s not forget: the MCL38 has a chance to strut its stuff, and with the sprint format rolling in, there are more points up for grabs than a cheeky stand-up comedian at a family reunion. McLaren needs to nail it in Lusail, or they might as well pack their bags and give the other teams a farewell tour.
So, will McLaren snag that first match point in Qatar and give Ferrari a run for their money? Or will they keep playing chicken with the other teams? From all of us in the stands, we’re just hoping they bring a bag of popcorn—with extra butter—for this rollercoaster ride of an F1 season!
McLaren very fast on the straight in Las Vegas, but it wasn’t enough
It’s easy to think of the rear wing adjustments without the innovative “mini DRS” utilized in Baku, but the reality in Las Vegas was quite different. Rather than employing the aerodynamic wing version that had proven effective in Azerbaijan, McLaren opted for a more conservative approach. After reviewing their performance on Friday, the team chose to implement the weakest rear wing available to them—an older model that had been sidelined in the garage following a test session during free practice in Monza.
In short, McLaren bet everything on maximizing straight-line speed, but ultimately fell short of their expectations: there may have been miscalculations on their part, or perhaps the MCL38 was hampered by inherent limitations that prevented them from capitalizing on their strategy in Nevada. This reduction in aerodynamic load may have led the MCL38 to forfeit the advantageous momentum observed in the first sector on Friday, resulting in challenges with achieving the proper tire temperature—a factor that ultimately compromised their performance in Q3. Additionally, the team’s emphasis on reducing downforce may have detracted from their braking stability, significantly affecting their ability to handle the demands of the racetrack, which usually benefits from a more controlled load to generate heat in the tires during braking. It is particularly puzzling that McLaren would make such strategic errors, as the car demonstrated a susceptibility to tire graining, suggesting that a more downforce-heavy setup, akin to that utilized by Mercedes, might have been more appropriate given the concerns about graining that emerged strongly during long runs on Friday.
Confirmation of this underperformance became evident during the last stint of the race: as the track became increasingly rubberized and with a lighter fuel load, the MCL38 began to perform significantly better, escaping the graining issues that had plagued them earlier. This newfound pace allowed McLaren to approach the competition’s times, a feat they had struggled to achieve at the race’s start.
Everything is different in Qatar to challenge Ferrari
With this context in mind, the dynamics will shift in Lusail. The upcoming track features an entirely different layout characterized by a variety of corners and a warmer climate, where the MCL60 found a rhythm last year. The modifications to the curbs this season are expected to mitigate the risks of punctures that affected teams in the previous year: during last season’s race, mandatory pit stops were necessitated as a result of the serrated curbs damaging tire integrity. This year, however, teams can anticipate lower and less intrusive curbs, complemented by gravel run-off zones for safety.
That said, there should be no cause for concern at the Woking headquarters: the MCL38 has the potential to excel in Lusail, and the team is optimistic, especially with the new sprint format that offers additional points, which could be invaluable for scoring on a circuit that traditionally favors their performance. This creates a significant opportunity for the team to secure crucial points in the Constructors’ Championship, as they prepare to take advantage of their first match point available in Qatar to solidify their standings.
GP Las Vegas: the pagelle
