McLaren MCL38

2024 Formula One car

McLaren MCL38
An MCL38 driven by Norris during the Chinese Grand Prix.
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMcLaren
Designer(s)Rob Marshall (Chief Designer)[a]
Other designers[1]
  • Peter Prodromou (Technical Director, Aerodynamics)
  • Neil Houldey (Technical Director, Engineering)[b]
  • Andrea Stella (Technical Director, Performance)[c]
  • David Sanchez Technical Director, Car Concept and Performance[d]
PredecessorMcLaren MCL60
Technical specifications[2]
ChassisCarbon fibre composite
Suspension (front)Carbon fibre and titanium pullrod suspension legs operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
Suspension (rear)Carbon fibre and titanium pushrod suspension legs operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
EngineMercedes-AMG F1 M15 E Performance
1.6 L (98 cu in) direct injection V6 turbocharged engine limited to 15,000 RPM in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
Electric motorMercedes-AMG
Kinetic and thermal energy recovery systems
TransmissionMcLaren 8-speed + 1 reverse sequential seamless semi-automatic transmission operated via paddle shifters with limited slip friction clutch epicyclic differential
BatteryLithium-ion battery
Weight798 kg (including driver, excluding fuel)
Brakes6 piston calipers, carbon ventilated discs/pads
TyresPirelli P Zero (dry)
Pirelli Cinturato (wet)
ClutchElectro-hydraulically operated, carbon multi-plate
Competition history
Notable entrantsMcLaren F1 Team
Notable drivers
Debut2024 Bahrain Grand Prix
Last event2024 Chinese Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
50200

The McLaren MCL38 is a Formula One car constructed by McLaren under the direction of Rob Marshall to compete in the 2024 Formula One World Championship.

The car is driven by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, for their sixth and second seasons respectively. The MCL38 made its competitive début at the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, and has to date achieved two podiums and a sprint pole, all scored by Norris.

Background

Development context

The MCL38's predecessor, the MCL60, was initially designed by then-technical director James Key.[3] It became apparent early in the 2023 season that the initial specification of the MCL60 was highly uncompetitive, and as a result Key left the team.[3][4] Existing employees Peter Prodromou and Neil Houldey were promoted to lead the design department,[3] with their work culminating in a mid-season upgrade to the MCL60 that significantly improved the team's competitiveness.[5] Sanchez was hired from Scuderia Ferrari as part of the technical restructure, but was placed on gardening leave until the beginning of 2024.[3] However, Sanchez left the position in April 2024, only three months into his contract.[1]

Following Key's departure from the team, the new technical team implemented several rounds of mid-season upgrades that resulted in a turnaround for the team's performance.[6][7] Journalist Lawrence Barretto observed that the radical changes on the MCL60 had opened up ample development opportunities for McLaren to pursue on the MCL38.[6]

Early development

McLaren had previously used a wind tunnel in Cologne owned by Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe and previously used by the Toyota Formula One Team.[8] This arrangement posed a major challenge for the team, as parts had to be shipped from the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England to Germany in order to be tested.[8] The team had invested in a wind tunnel of their own, which had been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] McLaren began development of the MCL38 in July.[9][10] The wind tunnel was ready for operations in August, and models began to be run in wind tunnel that same month.[5][11] McLaren reported good correlation as well as cost and time savings.[12] Team principal Andrea Stella said in September 2023 that early data was encouraging, but stressed that McLaren couldn't know how fast they were developing compared to other teams.[13]

Of particular concern was driveability, which long-time driver Norris had observed was poor in all McLarens he had driven.[14][15] Stella speculated that although the mid-season upgrades delivered to the MCL60 radically improved performance, they may have introduced undesirable handling traits which would be investigated during the development of the MCL38.[16][17] Some of these driveability improvements were installed on the launch specification, but others will be delivered later in the season.[18] Further, Stella said that the development would prioritise improving tyre degradation, McLaren's main weakness compared to field-leading Red Bull Racing, which would require mechanical as well as aerodynamic changes.[19]

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said that the team wanted to start the 2024 season where it had finished the 2023 season, and stated that he was optimistic about the MCL38's development.[4] Stella said McLaren's focus was on achieving their development goals rather than a specific result,[20] and said that the team had not hit a point of diminishing returns and found its progress to still be linear and sustainable.[21][22] Stella theorised that McLaren may still struggle to match Red Bull Racing, who dominated the 2023 season, suggesting that Red Bull's lack of upgrades in 2023 meant they had built up a substantial backlog of improvements.[21]

According to Stella, the team set three main goals for the MCL38: improving aerodynamic efficiency, mechanical grip, and tyre performance.[23] The car as initially presented to the public had several areas concealed.[24] However, the MCL38 at its launch featured new front brake duct inlets, sidepod inlets, floor edge, and revised suspension layouts for the front and rear.[25][26] Gary Anderson, writing for The Race, concluded that the changes visible on the launch specification car were intended to produce more controlled suspension, improving the MCL38's aerodynamic profile.[25]

Liveries

The MCL38 featured a livery largely similar to the one used on the MCL36 and MCL60, dominated by papaya orange and exposed carbon fibre (which McLaren referred to as anthracite).[27][28] Two changes were inspired by one-off variant liveries used on the MCL60: the increase in exposed carbon fibre which was used in the "Stealth Mode" livery, and the use of chrome elements as in the British Grand Prix livery.[29][27] The livery does not include any blue, which had been a prominent feature of every full-season McLaren livery since the MCL33 which competed in 2018.[27]

McLaren again collaborated with sponsor Vuse to run a special livery featuring the work of a local artist, in this case a design by MILTZ for the Japanese Grand Prix.[30]

Competition and development history

Pre-season

Stella stated that not all the new developments McLaren had planned for the MCL38 had been ready in time for the launch specification car, but would become early season upgrades.[23]

The car first ran on track during a filming day at Silverstone Circuit in February, driven by both drivers ahead of the official pre-season test.[31][32] Stella said that the MCL38 performed as expected during the pre-season test, and that its most significant gain over the MCL60 was its increased rear grip.[7]

Opening rounds

The MCL38 featured a new front wing, sidepod inlet, floor, engine cover, and beam and rear wings for the Bahrain Grand Prix.[33] Norris qualified seventh and finished sixth, while Piastri qualified and finish eighth.[34] Both drivers suggested they could have qualified in the top three had they set error-free laps.[35] The result meant Norris and Piastri left the opening round in sixth and eighth respectively in the World Drivers' Championship (WDC), while McLaren was classified fourth in the World Constructors' Championship (WCC).

The car was fitted with modified rear and beam wings for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.[36] Piastri qualified fifth and finished fourth, while Norris qualified sixth and finished eighth.[37][38] The drivers respectively moved up fifth and down to eighth in the WDC, while McLaren moved up to third in the WCC.

Norris qualified fourth and Piastri sixth for the Australian Grand Prix, and were both promoted a place on the starting grid by a penalty for another driver.[39] Norris finished third and Piastri fourth, a result which moved Norris up to sixth in the WDC.

Norris driving his MILTZ-liveried MCL38 during free practice for the Japanese Grand Prix.

The MCL38 featured a special livery for the Japanese Grand Prix (see § Liveries).[30] McLaren fitted the car with new front brake duct inlets.[40] Norris qualified third but finished fifth.[41] Piastri qualified sixth and finished eighth,[42] losing places late in the race after a driver error.[43] In the WDC, Norris overtook Piastri for sixth.

McLaren expected that the car would be uncompetitive at the Chinese Grand Prix given the quantity of low-speed corners at Shanghai International Circuit, which the MCL38 typically underperformed (see § Assessment and characteristics).[44] However, in a wet sprint qualifying session, Norris qualified on pole.[45] Piastri, who qualified eighth for the sprint, suffered an issue with his car's transmission, which accidentally shifted into neutral during his qualifying lap.[46] During the sprint, Norris finished sixth after a poor start, and Piastri finished seventh.[47][48] For the Grand Prix, Norris and Piastri qualified fourth and fifth respectively.[49] In a race twice interrupted by safety cars, Norris moved up to finish second.[50][51] Piastri, however, was struck by Daniel Ricciardo (who had in turn been struck by Lance Stroll), and finished eighth with significant damage to his car's diffuser.[52]

Assessment and characteristics

Piastri's MCL38 displayed in the pit lane at the Chinese Grand Prix.

In the car's early races it exhibited strong performance in medium- and high-speed corners and proved a significant improvement over the early-season MCL60.[53][54][43] However, it also displayed a lack of top speed, an inefficient drag reduction system, and poor performance in longer corners.[53][54] Compared to its nearest competitor – Ferrari's SF-24 – the MCL38 lacked race pace largely due to the SF-24's superior tyre management, but excelled over a qualifying lap.[43] Despite these flaws, the MCL38 proved to be the overall third-fastest car early in the season.[55]

Complete Formula One results

Key
Key
Colour Result
Gold Winner
Silver Second place
Bronze Third place
Green Other points position
Blue Other classified position
Not classified, finished (NC)
Purple Not classified, retired (Ret)
Red Did not qualify (DNQ)
Black Disqualified (DSQ)
White Did not start (DNS)
Race cancelled (C)
Blank Did not practice (DNP)
Excluded (EX)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Withdrawn (WD)
Did not enter (empty cell)
Annotation Meaning
P Pole position
F Fastest lap
Superscript
number 		Points-scoring position
in sprint
Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers Grands Prix Points WCC
BHR SAU AUS JPN CHN MIA EMI MON CAN ESP AUT GBR HUN BEL NED ITA AZE SIN USA MXC SAP LVG QAT ABU
2024 McLaren F1 Team Mercedes-AMG
F1 M15 E Performance
1.6 V6 t 		P United Kingdom Lando Norris 6 8 3 5 26 96* 3rd*
Australia Oscar Piastri 8 4 4 8 87
Source:

* Season still in progress.

Notes

  1. ^ Marshall initially worked as Technical Director, Engineering and Design until the design team was restructured in April 2024.
  2. ^ Houldey joined the design team from April 2024.
  3. ^ Stella joined the design team on an interim basis from April 2024.
  4. ^ Sanchez worked on the design team from January to April 2024.

References

  1. ^ a b Suttill, Josh (2 April 2024). "McLaren's big ex-Ferrari F1 hire out after three months". The Race. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  2. ^ "What is the technical specification of our 2024 Formula 1 car?". McLaren Racing. McLaren Racing Ltd. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Medland, Chris (23 March 2023). "Key leaves McLaren, Sanchez returning amid technical restructure". RACER. ISSN 1066-6060. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Brown sets clear McLaren target for start of 2024". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 3 January 2024. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Noble, Jonathan (1 August 2023). "McLaren pushing to sign off final F1 'conceptual evolution' update for 2023 car". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  6. ^ a b Barretto, Lawrence (8 August 2023). "McLaren's turnaround has been spectacular – but can they now push on to challenge Red Bull?". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  7. ^ a b Hughes, Mark; Piola, Giorgio (22 August 2023). "The best car, best upgrade and biggest disappointment of 2023 so far". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. Archived from the original on 23 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  8. ^ a b Gale, Ewan; Rencken, Dieter (28 June 2023). "Exclusive: Brown insists no Toyota blame for McLaren facility investment". RacingNews365. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
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  12. ^ Medland, Chris (8 September 2023). "McLaren getting 'massive advantage' from new wind tunnel". RACER. ISSN 1066-6060. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
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  14. ^ Kew, Matt (17 February 2023). "Norris wants better behaved McLaren F1 car, not ultimate performance". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
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  19. ^ Noble, Jonathan (15 November 2023). "McLaren: 2024 F1 car changes have to go beyond just aero". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
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  27. ^ a b c Kalinauckas, Alex (16 January 2024). "McLaren reveals new-look 2024 F1 livery ahead of MCL38 launch". Autosport. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
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External links

  • iconFormula One portal
  • McLaren official website
  • McLaren MCL38 record at StatsF1
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