Why McLaren's controversial mini-DRS rear wing has change into a 'source of pride'

McLaren believes the 2024 Formula 1 rear wing controversy is a “source of pride” and shows how far the team has come.

McLaren's low-downforce rear wing design raised eyebrows in Azerbaijan, where at higher speeds the upper element appeared to rotate rearward greater than competing teams allowed, opening a niche between the 2 elements, referred to as mini DRS.

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After competitors questioned the legality of the design, the FIA ​​found that the McLaren's rear wings met the regulations.

However, the governing body continued to demand that the team make changes to avoid forcing other teams to provide you with similar designs and starting a brand new arms race to further exploit the aerodynamic regulations.

McLaren subsequently made modifications to its entire range of rear wings, with some competing teams also having to make improvements to the integrity of the upper flaps.

Looking back at one in all F1 2024's major technical intrigues, McLaren's technical director of engineering Neil Houldey says the mini DRS controversy is seen by the team as a compliment showing how much of an innovator it has change into, relatively than a midfielder lagging behind its peers. Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes.

Technical details of the McLaren MCL38

Photo: Giorgio Piola

“If we go back 12 months, no one was interested in what we were doing,” Houldey said in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com. “So as a team we’ve a way of pride that there are other teams concerned about their position within the championship and what we’re doing.

“We can come back and say, 'Actually, good job, guys. In the pit lane, people have a look at what we do, why we do it, and check out to mimic us. » It's a superb situation and shows how much has happened within the last 18 months and in addition shows the performance we’ve put into the automobile.

“We did this knowing that the answer was legal. We received feedback from other teams who weren’t comfortable with it. And actually the FIA, after discussing it with us, didn't want it to spread and didn't wish to force other teams to have to seek out such solutions.

“So they asked us to lower the effect to a level much like that of another teams; actually a bit lower because there are several other teams which have needed to make similar changes.

“We were happy we did it. We will try to take opportunities where we can, just like everyone else. However, we always strive to cooperate with the FIA ​​to ensure the best results in the sport.”

McLaren's controversial low-downforce wing was one in all several recent rear wing designs the Woking-based team dropped at the track in 2024, and its long-standing lack of aerodynamic efficiency was one in all the important thing areas the team tried to handle this 12 months, noting that a big deficit in comparison with Red Bull's leading projects in 2023.

In addition to the large leap McLaren made with its comprehensive Miami upgrade package that turned the MCL38 right into a race winner, the aggressive development of the rear wing at various levels of downforce is hailed as McLaren's significant contribution to beating Ferrari and Red Bull for the primary time within the constructors' title since 1998.

“It was quite clear that our rear wings were not optimal last season, both from a performance and DRS point of view, so this was an area we focused on throughout 2023 and into this year to secure our place in the class.” -host,” Houldey explained.

“To change into a frontrunner in our class, it was inevitable that we’d develop many wings that may further improve our performance. I believe that showed, that effort to make sure that where we saw weakness there was actually real strength within the automobile and that was a part of the explanation it was so fast.

“It's slowly getting there and I'd say we're very, very close [to Red Bull’s strong DRS effect]. This shouldn’t be an area where we’ll stop developing, so with this whole automobile there continues to be quite a bit we are able to do and we all know we are able to still bring lots of performance to the automobile.