The 2021 Formula 1 season has brought several changes to McLaren's MCL35M, as outlined by Technical Director James Key. While it might appear similar to its predecessor at first glance, Key assures that the new car is fundamentally different and improved in numerous ways.
"Looks can be deceiving. To the untrained eye, our 2021 Formula 1 challenger doesn’t look all that different to its predecessor, but don’t be fooled. The MCL35M is pretty much a brand-new car," said Key. This news is crucial for fans and followers of the storied racing team, as they anticipate what the new car will bring to the track this season.
One of the most notable changes for McLaren this year is the switch to a new engine supplier. As the only team making a transition to a new power unit, the stakes were high. Key elaborated on the challenges faced, particularly the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. "We faced a unique challenge heading into 2021 as the only team changing power unit," he explained. "Not only did we have less time to get on top of the engine installation, we had to do a lot of it working from home."
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The collaboration with Mercedes has proven pivotal as they are recognized as a benchmark within Formula 1. Key noted, "It’s great to work with Mercedes; they’ve set the benchmark with the current generation of F1 power units." Despite the rigorous journey, he acknowledged that performance differences across teams are now minimal: "The reality is there’s now very little separating any of the engines in F1 in terms of performance."
In optimizing the MCL35M to fit the new Mercedes engine, McLaren executive teams undertook an extensive redesign that affected key components. As Key stated, "The power unit is a fundamental part of a car’s architecture, and because many of the Mercedes components have different geometries compared to what we used last year, we effectively had to redesign the whole car." He emphasized the complexity of this task, which involved adhering to strict homologation rules.
"When modifying the chassis, we worked very closely with the FIA to ensure we were only changing what we needed to. However, this meant we couldn’t exploit the chassis change as much as we would have liked in the pursuit of performance," Key added. With limited development tokens available for the power unit installation, there remains untapped potential due to regulatory constraints.
The aesthetic changes to the MCL35M's bodywork can be attributed largely to the new engine set-up. Key pointed out, "A lot of the bodywork shape is dictated by the engine installation," suggesting that these alterations might seem superficial but stem from essential engineering decisions.
Aerodynamically, this year’s car is designed to harness power while abiding by stringent regulations that prioritize safety. "Although we spent our development tokens on the power unit installation, it’s not fully optimized because of the rules around homologation," Key acknowledged. Safety considerations in the design process required the team to adjust their strategy amid tighter restrictions from governing bodies.
The F1 season has seen significant aerodynamic regulation changes aimed at stabilizing performance while reducing potential safety risks. Tiny modifications like the narrowing of the floor and adjustments to rear winglets are designed to cut downforce and enhance driver safety. According to Key, "These changes are also in a very sensitive area of the car – around the rear wheels. Anything that involves wheels and airflow is very complex to understand."
While the alterations may seem minimal, the ramifications are substantial. They directly impact the overall aerodynamic balance of the car. "We’ve been trying to claw back the downforce lost, and it’s been a real challenge," Key expressed. Rebalancing the car in light of these changes has ushered in a rigorous learning process, with potential for continuous improvement.
As the MCL35M hits the track, it promises to be a vessel of innovation. Key's faith in the team's ability to adapt to challenges is palpable as he noted, "There’s more to come; it’s an ongoing process to get the most out of these changes." The anticipation surrounding the McLaren team is palpable as they aim to maximize the potential of their new car throughout the season.
