McLaren F1 chief Andrea Stella isn't making any excuses for team papaya's low-key performance in pre-season testing, revealing the reasons behind its MCL60's struggles.
At the team's launch in Woking last week, Stella candidly admitted that McLaren's 2023 wasn't where it needed to be in terms of its development, a fact confirmed by Zak Brown on Friday in Bahrain and by the car's performance relative to its peers.
As an evolution of last year's MCL36, McLaren's new-spec car hits several development targets set by the team's design department last season. But one area - aerodynamic efficiency, or the car's ability to produce donforce without generating excessive drag - has yet to be completely addressed as Stella explained.
"Last year, we had some clear objectives in terms of development, they had to do with aerodynamic efficiency, some development related to the exploitation of the tyres, and also some other objectives to improve the balance," explained the Italian engineer.
"The reality is that most of these objectives have actually been met. But the objective in terms of aerodynamic efficiency of the car, that's the one where we are still shy of what was our target.
"So some of the objectives have been met. Aerodynamic efficiency is still not where we would like it to be, or where we would like it to be a top-four contender. So I would say that's the one in which we are still short."
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In terms of the all-important correlation between the car's theoretical and real-life numbers, there have been no 'bad' surprises in Bahrain, insists Stella.
"I think based on what I've seen in these two days, our performance is pretty much where I expected it to be. No surprises," he added.
"The data correlates with what we were expecting from an aerodynamic point of view. Even performance-wise, for whatever is possible to assess based on lap times in tests, where we know that lap times can depend on fuel level engine modes, and conditions.
"We know we have work to do. But if we think about the season, it is long, and there can be variations in the competitive order.
"And, like I said already in the car launch, we know there's a good development rate. That's where we are focusing. So I think the start will have to be realistic. But in terms of looking ahead to the season, we remain optimistic."
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On Friday, McLaren reeled in an aggregate 139 laps, with Oscar Piastri who ran in the afternoon clocking in P9 overall while teammate Lando Norris concluded his day P16.
The Briton's body language and demeanour suggested that a displeased frame of mind. But Norris wasn't giving anything away at the end of the day.
"It's been a productive day for everyone in the team," he commented.
"I did a lot of testing on a number of different setups as planned and we also put in a solid number of laps which is positive.
"I’m looking forward to heading into tomorrow’s running in the evening to finish off our run plan."
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