McLaren set to launch 'noticeably different' MCL 60

McLaren says its ongoing development programme for its MCL60 will see the team roll out a "noticeably different" car later this summer, likely at the British Grand Prix.

McLaren implemented a significant update on its contender at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the end of April, with changes to the car's floor that aimed to add aerodynamic.

While the feedback from its drivers was positive in Baku where Lando Norris qualified seventh and finished P9, the team's trip to Miami was a big disappointment, with both Norris and Oscar Piastri failing to make the Q2 cut and finishing the race well down the order.

Monaco delivered another upswing in performance with both cars concluding their race among the top-ten.

This weekend's round of racing in Barcelona should will provide the team with more relevant insight into its current package that will undergo another transformation, likely after Austria, that should take the car's performance to the next level according to team boss Andrea Stella.

"The plan is we need to get the car more competitive," said the Italian. "We've now released the package which should be available between Austria and Britain, and this is what should take the car to a more competitive level.

"It's progressing the car, evolving concepts we see as successful. It will be noticeably different to what we have at the moment.

"It will be the foundation for future developments next year. For the second part of the season there should be another major upgrade."

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Stella reckons that the Circuit de Catalunya's blend of high-downforce corners and high-speed sweeps should cater to the MCL60's characteristics.

But the McLaren team principal admits that the car's aero efficiency must be improved.

"You can have high-quality execution but on tracks where you can overtake, ultimately you need the pace," he noted.

"Let's see. Hopefully Spain, with some high-speed corners, suits our car better. But we know we need to improve aerodynamic efficiency and that's what will happen in a couple of races."

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