McLaren is not worried about the effects of the new flexiwing rules before the Formula 1 race in Barcelona this weekend, which will be strict now. Because the racing team has already successfully tested the reinforced front wing in Imola.
After the FIA had already introduced stricter tests for the rear wing during the winter break – with further tightening in China and Japan – from this weekend in Barcelona there are also tougher demands on the front wing.
The technical regulations of the FIA originally stipulated that with a symmetrical load of 100 kilograms on both sides of the car, the vertical deflection of the wing may be a maximum of 15 millimeters. With one -sided load, it was 20 millimeters. From Spain, only ten or 15 millimeters are now considered upper limits.
The tolerance for the bending of the flaps has also been tightened: from five to only three millimeters.
For a long time, McLaren was considered the team that could have benefited most effectively from a flexible front wing: more contact pressure in slow curves, then with targeted flexible less air resistance at high speeds – a balance that makes the car competitive.
Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur said after the Monaco race: “This can be a game changer for everyone because we do not know how the new rules will affect every single team.”
Red Bulls Max Verstappen and Christian Horner, on the other hand, were more skeptical that the changes swirl the balance of power in 2025.
From the beginning, McLaren was irritated by the assumption that the new technical directive would be braked. In fact, the new, stiffer front wing was already tested in Imola at Norris’ first run in the first free training – with the result that no significant loss of performance was found.
Field does not move together because of directive
Team boss Andrea Stella says in the run-up to the Barcelona weekend: “We know that the field is probably closer together here. The characteristics of the route could be good for our competitors. Therefore we expect a race that is more reminiscent of Imola and Suzuka.”
And further: “The new technical directive to the front wing is a completely different topic. It may look as if it made the field narrower, but that would be a wrong assumption. We already tested the new front wing in Imola with Lando – the performance effect was negligible, as was our simulations.”
“So it is obvious that the reasons for a narrower field are somewhere else. In any case, the new TD did not slow down the MCL39.”
Since the increase in the carbon composite material is a structural and no aerodynamic change -the shape of the wing remains the same -McLaren did not have to officially register the part as an upgrade to the FIA.
McLaren senses the danger
Why McLaren still carefully looks at his chances in Barcelona is mainly due to the high-downforce characteristics of the route. This resembles courses such as Imola and Dschidda, where Red Bull was also very strong with Max Verstappen.
Stella was already warning in Imola and Monaco to compare apples with pears – that is: stretches like Bahrain or Miami with significantly different layouts than Barcelona.
The test in Imola once again shows that McLaren’s upswing is not based on a miracle cure, but in a number of smaller, technical progress that make the package faster and more gentle on tire together. The fact that the 2025 season will falter for the world champions therefore remains a dream of the competition for the time being.
Speaking of tires that could become a topic again at the weekend, because the drivers are expecting a hot race at around 30 degrees Celsius at the weekend. In theory, the McLaren should play in the cards, but Oscar Piatri says that it doesn’t necessarily have to mean anything.
“We also thought that in Imola – and we were beaten,” he emphasizes and wants to wait. “Of course there were races where it was hot and we were strong. But it is not so easy to say: If it’s hot, McLaren dominates. Many factors play in there. I expect hard competition this weekend.”
Does Piatri Norris now have a grip again?
As usual, the first competitor should be teammate Lando Norris. At least after its victory in Monaco, the Briton is again within reach of the World Cup lead. The two separate just three points, and whoever wins on Sunday would definitely be in the championship.
Piatri hopes that he will win the upper hand on a “normal” route again, but emphasizes that it has been close everywhere. “There were weekends when I was a little faster, others where Lando was a little faster – but these were not necessarily the weekends when we beat each other,” he says.
“It is more than just being quick. I think that will move a bit back and forth over the course of the year. But I am confident that we analyzed what was not optimal in Monaco. It wasn’t a catastrophic weekend, just not as good as others this year.”
There are no routes that are more to a driver
“We have looked at what we can do better and try to implement it now,” says the Australian, who generally does not recognize a specific pattern of who is on which route types.
“It is not that a certain type of route is like me or a certain type of curve. It depends more on who brings everything together on the respective day,” he says. “There are no clear patterns – and frankly, they have never existed.”
Of course there are small strengths and weaknesses, but even they would not always be transferred from route to route. “I may be in fast curves faster on a weekend, the next weekend it is Lando,” said Piatri. “I think we have very similar strengths and weaknesses – and that will probably not change.”
Norris himself says that he is currently not looking at the World Cup lead. “It doesn’t change how hard I work or what I want to achieve. I just try to win this weekend, and then Montreal and then Austria. That has nothing to do with my placement,” says the Brit.
Max Verstappen still clearly in the World Cup fight
Asked about the World Cup situation, he calls people “naive” who believe that it is currently only about the title between him and teammate Piatri. He believes that Ferrari will become even stronger during the season, and Max Verstappen is always a competitor anyway. “He has been on the podium many times. He won races,” said Norris.
“In Imola he beat us fairly because he was faster. I don’t know what makes you assume that it is only possible between me and Oscar.”
“No, I don’t think you can calculate him out,” says Piatri, and refers to the supposedly low gap of 25 points of the Dutch – it can be gone in a race.
“And they were competitive on quite a few routes. Of course there were weekends when we were stronger, but I think they continue to develop their car and get more performance,” he says. “So yes, I think Max is definitely still in the race.”
Red Bull in Barcelona a dangerous opponent
He also expects Red Bull quickly in Barcelona, who have always won on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the past three years. Because the layout fits the other courses on which Red Bull was competitive this year. You will see whether there are other victory candidates.
Verstappen has at least one advantage, namely that Red Bull focuses completely on him, while McLaren supports both drivers alike. “Of course that helps in some situations,” says Piatri. “You don’t have to balance both strategies, you can pay all attention to Max.”
But: On the other hand, McLaren has two iron in the fire, which can also be helpful in the race. Piatri also estimates that two strong drivers can drive each other. “Max is extremely experienced and talented – but I think Lando and I pushed each other for more lap time,” he says.
“Of course this also brings challenges, but ultimately we want to fight for the title – against everyone. And if you have someone who pushes you, then it will raise your own level – and that’s exactly what you want.”
PIISTRI: Let it go freely as long as possible
A question that is repeatedly asked is how long McLaren can afford to treat both drivers immediately. Last year Piatri had to support Norris at some point, and the like could threaten this season if Verstappen – or another driver – remains dangerous in the long term.
However, Piatri still sees no reason for an external intervention: “We currently have a very good lead in the constructor evaluation – and as long as we further expand it, it is right to have both of us fight for the title,” he says.
“At the moment we both want to try to fight the title and get our points.” But: Should the point come later in the year where it is really no longer possible or very unlikely that one of the two will win the title, then he would like a clear decision by McLaren. “But I don’t think that will happen in the near future.”
Drivers must not harm the team
But what could happen is that there is an internal team fight between the two McLaren drivers, which currently only separates only three points. Then of course the good relationship is at stake – McLaren can sing a song with a view to 1988 or 2007.
Piatri is also aware of this: “I think we knew from the start that it is impossible to keep your own goals completely congruent with the team destinations,” he says. “And we both were very open about that from the start – the team was also aware of this.”
Already last year the feeling had the feeling that such a situation could come if the car was just as strong as it was then.
“I think we are all very open in dealing with it. But we would never do anything that would be unfair or harms the team – these are neither Lando nor me,” he clarifies. “Of course we want to beat each other every weekend, but we would never exceed the limit that causes damage that can no longer be repaired.”
“I have said it a few times: We don’t just want this one chance for the title. We are both in the long term at McLaren, we want to fight for the World Cup every year. It would be pretty unclear to risk everything for a title and set the house on fire.”