McLaren is currently “best of the rest” in Formula 1, sitting comfortably in fourth place as a constructor, 22 points clear of the Renault works team.
Part of the reason for their success this year has been excellent aerodynamic efficiency, more so than out-and-out downforce. However, according to technical director James Key, all that could change come next season.
“I think there are some conceptual changes we need to look at, just because we’re looking forward,” said Key during an interview with Autosport. “Even though there’s a reg change [in 2021] on the horizon potentially, we are looking forwards, and we want to see how we can begin to generate the performance that allows us to take genuine steps towards those at the front.”
“Everyone around us is doing the same thing, so I think you need some conceptual changes for that.”
McLaren would still need a pretty big leap in order to catch up to the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. Currently, they trail the latter by no fewer than 200 points, which isn’t exactly something you make up through minor aero tweaks.
Also read: McLaren Hopes 2020 F1 Car Will Lap Within Less Than A Second Off Top 3 Teams
Still, Key is quite happy with the MCL34, even from a downforce perspective.
“At a track like [Singapore] we’re still pretty quick in a straight line, so efficiency is still there, but we can generate, at least competing with the guys around us, the sort of downforce levels you need.”
“So, I think fundamentally we won’t change the numbers surrounding it, but conceptually it will change a little bit.”
