McLaren: The F1 wind tunnel handicap is not an excuse for subpar performance

According to McLaren, the challenges it faces moving up the Formula 1 order before its new wind tunnel arrives are no justification for failing to pursue short-term gains.

Lando Norris during pre-season testing in Barcelona. (Twitter: @McLarenF1)
By Mahaksh Chauhan | Dec 7, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The Woking-based team is fully aware of how vulnerable its current setup is to larger teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. There is anticipation that the inclusion of significant new investments in a wind tunnel and simulator, which should be available next year, would significantly advance it. But until then, McLaren is conscious that it will be difficult to finish any higher than fifth in this year’s constructors’ championship.

Lift the Game up

Andreas Seidl, the team’s manager, argues that this does not imply that the group is prepared to do nothing but wait until it can take a bigger step. Instead, he thinks McLaren has room to improve and position itself to take advantage of possibilities that present themselves. “The goal is obvious for next year as well; we want to advance once more in every aspect of the team,” he stated. “That’s not just with the car itself, including some of the shortcomings we’ve seen this year, but also with just straight up taking another step forward as a team in every way,” the speaker said.

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Positive ?

McLaren placed fifth this year after coming in third in the constructors’ championship in 2020, fourth in 2021, and third in 2020. Seidl acknowledges that the sequence is not ideal, but believes that McLaren is moving closer to assembling the pieces necessary to return to the front of the grid. In the end, he added, “I feel that this season has taken a step backwards in comparison to prior seasons. “However, I believe there were still many positives this year, where we advanced as a team. Because of this, it ends up being a good season for us.

“We are traveling. To take these next steps as a team, we are completely aware of what needs to be done. However, we are also aware that it takes time. The good news is that we are aware of everything that is happening and fitting into place in order for us to take this last step in the coming years. And since I’m confident that we have all the necessary talents involved, we just need to make sure that we maintain continuity in the team’s personnel organization. It’s just up to us to put everything in place, make it work, and demonstrate our ability to do so.