McLaren’s outstanding performance in medium-speed corners is giving them a notable edge over their competitors in the 2025 Formula 1 season. This observation comes from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who has noticed McLaren pulling further ahead in recent races. Even McLaren acknowledges that their MCL39 car is the quickest in mid-speed corners, which helps mask some of their car’s weaknesses for this season.
This strength explains McLaren’s strong showing in Belgium, though their advantage diminishes on circuits like Suzuka and Silverstone, which feature different types of corners. Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, confirmed that their car excels in medium-speed corners but still has limitations in very fast corners like Copse or Pouhon, and also in very slow-speed sections. However, since many corners in the championship fall into the medium-speed category, this trait works well in their favor.
Throughout the season, McLaren has introduced multiple upgrades, including new front wings, suspensions, brake ducts, and floors. Unlike other teams who made major changes earlier and then focused on 2026, McLaren’s updates have enhanced performance without compromising other areas. Mercedes, for example, has regressed recently, even reverting to an older suspension setup for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Stella highlighted that their development strategy ensures new parts improve the car without negatively impacting driving performance. He emphasized that success in Formula 1 comes from attention to mechanical and aerodynamic fundamentals, the generation of innovative ideas, and solid development methodologies that translate well from wind tunnel and CFD testing to actual on-track performance. He praised the team’s leadership and talent for driving these advancements.
Fan Take: McLaren’s progress in medium-speed corners could shake up the 2025 F1 championship, making races more unpredictable and exciting. For racing fans, this shows how detailed engineering and clever development strategies continue to be as crucial as driver skill in shaping the sport’s future.
