McLaren began off 2024 in fine condition, heading into the fifth spherical of the season because the third group within the pecking order, forward of Mercedes.
However whereas it stays a power on high-downforce circuits, the group admitted in the beginning of the yr that its persistent low-speed weak point nonetheless hadn’t been addressed but.
That weak point might come again to hang-out it at some circuits greater than others, with F1’s return to the Shanghai Worldwide Circuit a specific headache for the Woking group.
The 5.4km venue shouldn’t be solely affected by hairpins, but it surely additionally has a novel begin of the lap via the ever-tightening Flip 1 via 4 complicated that mixes the kind of sluggish, lengthy corners the place the McLaren lacks grip in comparison with its rivals.
“I’ve to say that of those first a part of the season, China is the observe that worries me essentially the most from a competitiveness perspective,” Stella acknowledged.
“You might have a lot low-speed, hairpins. Even in nook two, nook three, you spend so lengthy in lengthy corners.
“And I feel it has been a theme I have been repeating. Up to now, we have not been capable of enhance the automobile sufficient in these low-speed, medium-speed lengthy corners.
“So from a aggressive competitiveness perspective, I might anticipate a harder scenario than right here in Suzuka, Australia and the primary a part of the season.”
Andrea Stella, Staff Principal, McLaren
Picture by: Erik Junius
“China could also be a bit of injury limitation for us. After which from Miami onwards, hopefully we begin sort of a greater stage of this 2024 season and extra to return within the second a part of the season.”
However Stella additionally recognised China internet hosting the primary dash format of the season gives some alternatives, as groups could have only one free observe session to get to grip with the circuit and its new tarmac earlier than dash qualifying.
“Undoubtedly it should be a difficult occasion, from a number of factors of view. What’s the tarmac scenario will we discover?
“On the similar time, let’s not neglect that China was some of the extreme tracks for graining. So how will the tyres have the ability to address this?
It is also a tough observe by way of stability between some very high-speed corners, like coming into nook one, after which many low-speed sections.
“Seeing it in isolation, it provides a headache. However when you see it from a aggressive perspective, I feel you should assume: ‘If I don’t do an ideal job, however slightly bit higher job than others, then this might be a giant alternative.”
Extra reporting by Jonathan Noble
Watch: F1 2024 Chinese language Grand Prix Preview – The whole lot You Want To Know
