Latest news with #MCL39
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Formula 1: What has gone right for McLaren as they head to Belgian GP on top of drivers' and constructors' races?
By Amrit Prakash The 2025 season has come up like a reward for long years of sweat and toil for McLaren. Ahead of the Belgian GP this weekend, the McLaren team is leading both the drivers' and constructors' standings. With both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the top and both commanding over a 60-point lead over the dominant champion Max Verstappen, McLaren is starting to dream about its first champion since they had the modern-day great Lewis Hamilton in their stables in 2008. With a commanding lead of over 200 points over Ferrari, which is placed a distant second in the constructors chart, McLaren looks well within reach to repeat the 2024 constructor's title win, which it won after a long two decades in 1998 when Mika Hakkinen successfully won the championship with active support from David Coulthard. McLaren's dream run of 2025 isn't due to luck or a single innovation. It's the result of an amalgamation of a sweeping technical overhaul supported by strong leadership and trust in the sustained efforts of various team members. As former team owner Ron Dennis once said, 'You don't expect to be at the top of the mountain the day you start climbing.' The team has been charting its way back to the top gradually since the fall from the top in the 2013 season. Andrea Stella, who took over from Andreas Seidl as team principal in the 2023 season, has been with McLaren since 2015, prior to which he had worked with Ferrari and F1 legend Michael Schumacher. He has overhauled the team by bringing in Rob Marshall, ex-Red Bull honcho, who revamped the car architecture. Peter Prodromou, the veteran aerodynamicist, made improvements in the chassis and aerodynamics of the car. This gave the winning combination of the MCL39 car of 2025 with active support from the pool of young talent. 'It's not about shortcuts. It's about culture, science, and belief,' Stella once said. The belief is visible in the MCL39 car. There have been changes in the chassis design with reoriented suspension. Front and rear suspension redesign has also helped the MCL39 reduce wearing down of tires and helped stabilised the aerodynamic platform. Rob Marshall's architectural innovations have overhauled the diffuser and the cooling package of the car. Work was also done on the thermal management of the car with improvement on the airflow in the sidepods and engine cover. The McLaren team has also introduced advanced use of telemetry with AWS and Splunk, providing them with real-time simulation for tire prediction and aero modelling. Behind the wheel, UK-born Lando Norris has been McLaren's consistent driver for the last seven years, while the Australian Piastri has been with the team since 2023 when he replaced fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo. Both Norris and Piastri are technical, adaptable, and collaborative, which was absent in previous pairings of MCL39 initially suited Piastri's braking style, but Norris adapted to it by tweaking his technique, contributing to a stronger mid-season surge in performance. What's also important is that Piastri and Norris don't just coexist—they push each other to their limits, giving McLaren its desired results. With nine constructors' titles, McLaren is only behind Ferrari in the all-time list, making it one of the most consistent teams. But the last decades have just seen the downfall of this glorious team. After Mika Häkkinen's retirement in 2001, McLaren struggled to maintain title-contending form with the Mercedes chassis issue of 2004. Then came the 2007 Stepneygate Scandal, where McLaren was fined $100 million for possessing Ferrari technical data, and banned from the championship race. 2008 gave them a winner in Hamilton, but they lost to Ferrari in the Constructors race. Their real downfall started when the new chassis policy in the Mercedes engine was adopted, which resulted in the disastrous season of 2013-14. But things turned worse from there, with the Honda Gp2 engine also facing public criticism from the drivers. The seasons of 2015-17 gave McLaren its worst finish since its origin. With another transition to Renault for three years, McLaren again returned to Mercedes in 2021 which has laid the foundation for the team to regain its long-lost glory. McLaren is one of those teams that has supported raw talent, be it in the case of 1976 champion James Hunt or Niki Lauda, who later won with McLaren in 1984. Hamilton, who won the 2008 F1 title, was also a raw talent. Jenson Button, who won the F1 title with Brawn, was a McLaren find too. Same is the case of current drivers, Piastri and Norris, who helped McLaren win the 2024 constructors title, the first since 1998. After the British Grand Prix 2025, the point difference between Piastri and Norris is eight points, and the intra-team rivalry is starting to emerge. Will this lead to a split between the winning pair, like we have seen throughout the history of McLaren in famous rivalries between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna or the British pair of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton? The performance of Norris and Piastri is getting compared with three-time Champion Senna and four-time champion Prost, who dominated the F1 for the decade with the McLaren team. With 12 races to go in the season, it is for these drivers to prove that they are worthy of this comparison.
Newsweek
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
F1 Insider Predicts 'Mind Games' At McLaren For 2025 Championship
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Formula One presenter Naomi Schiff has predicted that "mind games" will be at play in the McLaren garage as both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri battle closely for the 2025 championship. McLaren's MCL39 F1 car has been a dominant machine this season thus far, given that Piastri and Norris occupy the top two positions in the Drivers' Standings in the same order. The Papaya outfit experienced a resurgence in the current ground effect era, mid-2024, and surpassed Red Bull to win the constructors' championship. The Woking-based outfit adopted a radical approach with the MCL39, which is mostly new compared to its predecessor, the MCL38. However, having a dominant car with two strong drivers could lead to a situation where they are constantly compared. Following Norris' British Grand Prix win last weekend, he closed the gap to Piastri in the championship by a considerable margin. He trails his Australian teammate by just 8 points. Sky Sports' Naomi Schiff has opened up on the probability of mental games affecting both drivers. She said: Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren and Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren take part in media duties on the deck of the hospitality suite during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of... Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren and Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren take part in media duties on the deck of the hospitality suite during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 29, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. More"They have proven to be competitive at every circuit and have so much consistency that it doesn't look like anyone is able, yet, to take the fight to them. "So mind games will 100% come into it. "Comparison is the killer of joy! Your teammate next to you is constantly being compared. That's what will be hard. "I am sure [Mark Webber] has been giving [Piastri] help from the sidelines of all the things to think about." Schiff believes Norris has more homework to do than Piastri, considering he was slower in qualifying at Silverstone. She added: "There were a few places that Lando dropped the ball this weekend. "He didn't have the right lap in qualifying. He qualified behind his teammate. "There were rumours he was saving the inters but he didn't seem to be as quick as Oscar. "There are things for him to study despite his victory." Piastri failed to extend his lead in the championship after a safety car infringement at Silverstone, for which he was handed a ten-second penalty. That allowed Norris to take the lead and seal his victory. Expressing his frustration at the penalty, Piastri said after the race: "Yeah, I'm not gonna say much. I'll get myself in trouble, so well done to Nico. I think that's the highlight of the day, so... yeah, I'll leave it there." When Jenson Button insisted he spoke about the incident, Piastri added: "Yeah, I mean, apparently you can't brake behind the safety car anymore. I mean, I did it for five laps before that and... again, I'm not gonna say too much 'cause I'll get myself in trouble. But thanks to the crowd for a great event. Thanks for sticking through the weather. I still like Silverstone even if I don't like it today, so thanks for coming out."
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Verstappen's Father Hits Back After Driver Points to Red Bull Exit Clause
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Jos Verstappen has slammed former Red Bull test driver Robert Doornbos for his comments on Max Verstappen's contract. Doornbos highlighted exit clauses in Max's F1 contract, which could reportedly pave the way to his exit. This comes amid rumors about Max's potential Red Bull exit to join Mercedes, after George Russell revealed that his contract extension was on hold due to ongoing talks between Max and Mercedes. The four-time world champion is said to have been approached not only by Mercedes but also by Aston Martin. Given that his 2025 F1 car, the RB21, cannot match the pace of McLaren's MCL39, Max has been struggling to secure victories as before. Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Jos Verstappen arrive by boat prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 23, 2025... Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Jos Verstappen arrive by boat prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 23, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. MoreThe past eleven rounds of the 2025 season saw him win only two races, as opposed to the previous year when he won seven out of the first ten Grands Prix. Max also suffered a DNF last weekend at the Austrian Grand Prix after Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashed into him. That places Max third in the championship standings, and only nine points separate him and Russell in fourth. Consequently, Red Bull suffered greatly in its championship battle, with the team now placed fourth in the Constructors' Championship. Yuki Tsunoda's ongoing struggles with the RB21 are not helping either. Doornbos revealed that Verstappen's Red Bull contract will activate an exit clause if he drops to fourth place in the championship standings. Speaking to Race Café De Stamtafel, he said: "If the exit clauses are correct, because of course there are two clauses actually, then one will be activated if Max is not in the top two among the drivers. "And if Red Bull is not in the top three among the constructors, then one will also be activated. "The other one is about third place among the constructors, I'm 100 per cent sure it's in there. If a constructor can no longer deliver, then Max cannot deliver. And Red Bull is fourth. "He's leaving. "Red Bull's fairy tale stops at some point. As much as you would like to see it go ahead." However, Jos Verstappen has ridiculed Doornbos's claims by commenting on the social media post by Ziggo Sports. Planet F1 reported his comment: "Doornbos talks like a headless chicken." Regardless of the claims, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff clarified in Austria that while Russell and Kimi Antonelli would likely form the 2026 driver lineup, his pursuit of Max will continue in the team's long-term interest. He said: "I think when you look at the situation we have with Kimi [Antonelli] and George, we have a perfect line-up that we very much enjoy, that we believe is the future. "But at the same time, there is a four-time World Champion that needs to decide what he's going to do in the future, and that is just, as a team principal, you need to see where that is going." He added: "Nothing needs, in a way, to come towards favourable for us, because with George and Kimi is what we want to be and what we want to continue. "But, in order to plan right for the long term of the future, you've got to understand what other people do."
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
FIA Comes Under Fire as Franco Colapinto Receives Death Threats
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Alpine Formula One driver Franco Colapinto has been receiving hate comments on Instagram for nearly crashing into Oscar Piastri during the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Piastri's fans targeted the Argentinian driver on his most recent post, with some even typing out death threats. The incident between Colapinto and Piastri occurred in the last stage of the race in Spielberg. Piastri was held up by the back-marker traffic while battling for the top spot with Lando Norris. Colapinto and Yuki Tsunoda were fighting for a position outside of the points at the same time. When the blue flags are out, cars that are about to get lapped must clear the way for the leading cars. However, occupied by his battle, Colapinto nearly made contact with Piastri when the McLaren driver tried to pass him. Franco Colapinto of Argentina and Alpine F1 on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Franco Colapinto of Argentina and Alpine F1 on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, was then forced onto the grass in an attempt to prevent a collision. Colapinto eventually gave way after noticing the MCL39 in his mirror. He received a five-second penalty from the FIA stewards for forcing a car off the race track. Despite the penalty, Piastri's fans were not satisfied. They vented frustration on Colapinto's most recent post. The comments section became a war zone, with Colapinto's fans calling for the FIA's intervention for the hate comments. Some comments are posted below: One fan posted: "F1, FIA this is death threat don't go. Not to say anything?????" [sic] Another fan asked for Colapinto to be respected: "FIA we ask respect towards Franco Colapinto for verbal aggressions and threats. F1." An Argentinian fan commented: "FIA, F1. Are hate and bad comments only punished when they're from an Argentinian? Be fair and treat everyone equally." This fan was furious about the hate Colapinto was receiving: "F1, Sky Sports F1, ESPN F1, FIA. WE KINDLY INVITE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE COMMENT SECTION AND READ THE AGGRESIVE COMMENTS, BULLYING AND HATE OUR DRIVER @francolapinto IS RECEIVING DUE TO THE INCIDENT WITH @oscarpiastri during today's GP. Now that the tables have turned, we hope you voice your opinion same way you did in the past. ALL DRIVERS DEMAND THE SAME MISTAKE REGARDLESS OF THEIR COUNTRY OF BIRTH!" [sic] Several F1 drivers have faced online hate in the recent past. Yuki Tsunoda was targeted by Colapinto's fans online after he revealed his frustration at being blocked by the Alpine driver at Imola in the first practice session. However, Colapinto urged his fans to have respect for other drivers. He said: "I know they are extremely passionate, and they are always very harsh on people. They have to give respect, and that's what we all want. "There is a lot of hate on social media ... so of course we always try and want, for all the drivers, to keep it respectful and keep it calm there."
The Journal
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Journal
'The best day of my life' - Irish teenager Alex Dunne makes superb F1 debut for McLaren
The 42 IRELAND'S ALEX DUNNE was the story of the first free practice (FP1) at the Austrian Grand Prix, turning heads on his Formula 1 debut. Offaly teenager Dunne, a McLaren junior and the current Formula 2 Championship leader, finished fourth in his first ever F1 session as he temporarily deputised for Lando Norris. Racing for the first time in the latest McLaren car, the MCL39, Dunne finished within a tenth of team-mate and F1 championship leader Oscar Piastri, with George Russell setting the FP1 pace just two tenths up the track. Russell saw off second-placed Max Verstappen by 0.065 seconds. Dunne's joy was immediately apparent upon his finish, with the 19-year-old telling his McLaren team over the radio: 'I want to say a massive thank you. A little boy's dream came true and it's definitely the best day of my life. 'So, thank you, everyone, for letting me do this, and thanks to Lando, as well, for trusting me with his car,' Dunne added. 'It means a lot.' Sky Sports F1 / X (Formerly Twitter) McLaren / X (Formerly Twitter) Speaking post-race, Dunne said he was 'super, super happy'. Advertisement 'I think it's fair to say it went pretty well,' he added. 'I think we knew going through the session that the goal wasn't necessarily for performance, it was more to help out with the car, help Lando, and kind of just help the team to improve as much as they can through FP2, FP3, and then onwards into the weekend. 'So, to have the pace that I had and show what I'm capable of on the F1 stage is something pretty special. A massive thank you to McLaren for the opportunity. I'm extremely grateful.' Alex Dunne exits the pit lane during the first free practice at the Austrian Grand Prix. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo McLaren team boss Andrea Stella was impressed by Dunne's performance, but particularly with how he achieved his team's objectives on his first run-out. 'Before we look at the time, we have to acknowledge that he has gone through quite an extensive plan of testing with some new parts,' Stella said. 'There was some work that won't be seen on TV but keeps the drivers very busy and you have to be very precise, very much on time. 'In all of this, Alex has been quite diligent and impressive. 'He had also a chance to show us his pace. It's no surprise he is a fast driver. 'We have to be careful looking at the lap times because his lap time came later in the stint when the fuel was down. But I think it's encouraging and impressive for Alex himself, and a good session for McLaren.' Written by The 42 and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
