McLaren comes with first updates in Miami: ‘We need more than one round of improvements’

The McLaren team has started the 2024 season well, but is still constantly struggling to keep up with rival Ferrari. Earlier this season, the British racing firm announced that it would introduce the first updates to the MCL38 around May. Team boss Andrea Stella announced during the Grand Prix weekend in Shanghai that the team will have used the first car upgrade in Miami, reports. Motorsport.com.

The British team qualified well in China. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will start the race on Sunday from fourth and fifth place. The pair have the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in their rear view mirror as the Ferrari drivers start from sixth and seventh.

Focus on tire management

“In Miami we will finally use the first phase of the car upgrade,” Stella announced at the Shanghai International Circuit. However, the team insists that there is still a long way to go until the car performs at the required level. In addition to improving the overall performance of the vehicle, the upgrade also focuses on tire management. During the race weekend in Shanghai, the team suffered a lot from rear tire wear.

“The improvements will also include efforts to reduce tire wear. We want to see if we can take this step further,” Stella said. The problem will not be solved immediately. “Considering the improvements needed to be close to our competitors, I would say that more than one round of improvements is needed to change the behavior of the tires.”

“It’s a constant improvement,” Stella explains. ‘You can’t assume (as a team, ed.) that it’s good enough when it comes to tyres.’ The improvements will be very welcome in Miami due to the high temperature of the city. “There’s a lot of traction in low-speed corners and acceleration later.”

Better tire management for Ferrari and Red Bull

According to Stella, Ferrari and Red Bull are doing better than McLaren in terms of retaining rear tyres. This also seems to be the case for many teams grain be less of a problem ahead than first thought. According to Stella, the biggest problem at the Shanghai International Circuit is overloading the rear axle. “That’s not surprising,” says the McLaren team boss. ‘When it comes to the asphalt, despite the amazing coating, this circuit looks more like Bahrain and Suzuka.’

‘We know we are burdened at the back. “Some cars, like Ferrari and Red Bull, know how to deal with that better than us,” says Stella.