McLaren realized that it had to put part of its ambitions for the 2022 Formula 1 season on hold during the second pre-season test, held in Bahrain. The team began to work to rectify all the problems that arose in testing and which, as a consequence, continued in the first two races on the calendar.
Great things were expected from the MCL36, but those hopes were dashed almost immediately due to a series of major setbacks. First of all, a problem of overheating of the brakes, which could be solved but only temporarily due to the little time available. On the other hand, the orange car showed a worrying lack of downforce.
McLaren boasts low downforce at both the front and rear. As a reminder, as of this year each one represents 25%, for a total of 50% between them, of the total load generated by the new generation of single-seaters.
In addition, to all this we must add a lack of grip, both due to aerodynamics and mechanical grip, considered too low compared to the rest of the grid.
A series of problems that, until a few years ago, would have suggested a bad car and a failed season. But this year Formula 1 faces the longest calendar in its history, since it has 23 races, and McLaren, rightly, has no intention of giving up the world championship when only two have been held.
McLaren director Andreas Seidl took stock of the MCL36’s problems, starting with overheating of the brakes. “We kept putting together a temporary solution for the brakes, at least for the time being, because with the little time we had available it was the only reliable solution that we could adopt in the cars. Of course, that is not optimal in terms of performance.”
“I would say, however, that regardless of this, we just lack grip, which is the result of the lack of mechanical grip and the downforce of the car. We saw it clearly in the last pre-season test in Bahrain. It is definitely not just an issue with the current brake lines we’re using.”
With the introduction of the budget cap, McLaren must also distribute the amount of financial resources at its disposal for the development of the MCL36. According to Seidl, some of these funds have already been spent trying to fix the problems experienced in this less than ideal start to the season for the team.
“Obviously, the intense work we have had to do after experiencing the current problems has made us spend some resources that we would have liked to use for performance development. Honestly, it has not been ideal and I would say that it has forced us to do some sacrifices and has caused delays in improving the car’s performance.
“In the end we have to accept the current situation. The Woking team is working very hard and will continue to do so in the coming weeks to understand exactly how to solve the problems and how we can improve our performance.”
As said, Seidl is not one to give up easily. His previous experience in motorsports has forged him and, after taking McLaren from the back of the F1 grid, he will have to try to solve another difficult but, above all, unexpected situation.
“It is still very early days and now it is not so easy to define in detail all the updates that we will bring throughout the season, not only in terms of the deficits that we saw in the first two races of the season.
“Our goal as a team remains to be strong on all types of tracks, to be where we want to be, regardless of circuit, weather conditions and tire choice.”
“I am convinced that we have a strong team to be able to do it and that we will be able to do it and come back to the top. Everyone is fully motivated. Now we just need some time,” concluded Seidl.
