What happened: McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says the team will investigate why it is losing around one-and-a-half tenths to Mercedes on the straights, despite both cars running a common power unit. Stella estimates the overall gap between the MCL40 and the championship-leading W17 at roughly three-to-four tenths per lap.
Why it matters: A straight-line shortfall with an identical power unit points to aerodynamic or drag inefficiency rather than engine performance, narrowing where McLaren can find lap time. Closing a three-to-four-tenth deficit is central to McLaren reeling in a Mercedes team that currently leads the championship fight.
By the numbers: Stella's figures put the straight-line loss at about one-and-a-half tenths and the total per-lap gap at three-to-four tenths between the MCL40 and W17.
What to watch: Watch whether McLaren traces the straight-line loss to drag or setup and how quickly it can respond as it chases Mercedes.
Sources
- @autosport