McLaren F1 boss Andrea Stella says the team's latest rear wing updates on its MCL60 follow the potent DRS and beam wing setup successfully exploited by Red Bull on its dominant RB19.
As part of its overall multi-stage development programme initiated in Hungary, McLaren introduced in Spa last time out revised elements on its rear wing package.
The changes, which McLaren said were circuit specific, included a modified beam wing, endplates and different trims to the trailing edge of the rear wing flap element, all of which helped reduce aerodynamic drag and load.
However, central to this approach is the integration of an expanded rear wing surface that
yields a more substantial DRS advantage upon activation, while aero drag is offset by the aforementioned revised elements.
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Stella places substantial emphasis on this low-drag strategic avenue for development in the second part of the season that will sit alongside the main development of its car.
"The underlying level of drag is more, it has to do with the overall configuration of the car," commented the Italian at Spa as he explained McLaren's approach.
"Red Bull has done a very good job of having a car that is low drag independent of the rear wing.
"If I take our case specifically - like in Spa - the main opportunity is to keep working on the rear wing. This is something that was on our to-do list, but kind of we are not there yet.
"So I think the main opportunity for us is on the rear wing. But overall, the impact on drag comes actually from the entire car."
Red Bull's aero design is undeniably the RB19's main asset and is central to its dominant performance. But Stella suspects that the team is also reaping big dividends from its experience and knowledge of its concept.
"They seem to have pursued this concept for some time," he said.
"I think they may be taking some advantage from having had a lot of experience in developing this kind of configuration. This has now become apparent over time.
"All teams now will try and see what is possible to exploit by developing in this kind of direction."
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