In what has been a half-season of fascinating changes in the competitive order among the top teams, we take a look at three significant developments.
McLaren’s bodywork
Introduced: Miami Grand Prix
McLaren began the season with only the third-fastest car, seeming to have lost out a little over the winter to Red Bull and Ferrari. But they did so in the full knowledge that a major upgrade (which was set for Imola but made its debut on Lando Norris’s car one race early, in Miami) was coming, which was expected to bring a major uplift in performance.
READ MORE: Stella pledges to help Norris after McLaren driver claims he needs a ‘reset’ over the summer break
The changes centred around a floor redesign which enhanced the downforce at the front of the car, particularly in low-speed corners. To facilitate the energising of the aerodynamics around the leading edge of the floor, the whole lower front of the sidepod had been hollowed out – this made possible by a new wider, shallower radiator intake with an enhanced lip above it.
