McLaren’s principal, Andrea Stella, declared a focused review of the team’s straight‑line shortfall against Mercedes, citing a persistent deficit of about one‑and‑a‑half tenths of a second per lap.
Investigating the Drag Gap
Stella outlined that the MCL40 lags the W17 by three to four tenths overall, with roughly 30 % of that loss manifesting on the straights. Although a higher aerodynamic drag is suspected, the team also probes any variance in power‑train deployment, especially the unconventional energy burst strategies championed by Mercedes.
Power‑Unit Deployment and Downforce
While the car’s reduced downforce already explains the majority of corner deficit—another source of performance loss—Stella said the straight‑line difference might stem from “additional aerodynamic drag” or simply from how each team manages the Mercedes unit’s electric and ICE output. He acknowledged that despite using the same engine, small variations in setup can tilt the balance.
Collaborating with HPP for Gains
McLaren has maintained close contact with Mercedes’ High‑Performance Powertrains division, which has supplied development tools that sharpen McLaren’s exploitation of the energy‑deployment system. Stella concluded that the team “cannot effectively distinguish what drag, what power‑unit behaviour or other sources drive the deficit” and will concentrate on minimizing all drag contributors on the MCL40.
With the 2026 season in full swing, McLaren’s quest to close the straight‑line gap continues, steering clear of the car‑balancing debates that plagued the previous year.
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