Tech F1i: No let-up in McLaren's development push in Canada

The 2025 Formula 1 season reaches its 10th round this weekend in Canada where the intense battle at the top of the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings will resume.

With McLaren holding a commanding near-200-point lead over Ferrari in the Constructors’ championship and just 10 points separating McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the Drivers’ standings, the development race remains critical.

This weekend, only five teams – McLaren, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Alpine, and Racing Bulls – have introduced upgrades to their cars, with McLaren and Mercedes leading the charge. Here is our detailed rundown of the technical enhancements brought to Montreal.

McLaren Keeping Their Foot Down

Championship leaders McLaren are showing no signs of complacency despite their strong position at the top of the grid. The Woking-based squad has introduced a trio of upgrades in Canada, targeting key aero components and suspension geometry.

The most prominent change is to the front wing, which features redesigned main elements and new ‘mermaid tails’ on the endplates. According to McLaren, this was done to “improve aerodynamic performance across a wide range of attitudes.”

A circuit-specific rear wing has also been introduced to match Montreal’s medium downforce profile. McLaren described the new rear wing as offering “more efficient coverage of a larger drag range, suitable for multiple circuits.”

Finally, there’s a modification to the front suspension geometry, accompanied by an updated aerodynamic surface designed to “reoptimize local flow conditioning.” The aim is to maximize both mechanical grip and aerodynamic flow through the front end of the car.

Mercedes Tweak for Performance and Cooling

Mercedes have rolled out two new components for their W16 challenger, focused on enhancing both aerodynamic performance and brake cooling.

The Brackley outfit revised the floor corner to increase airflow under the car. They explained the change was made to “increase mass flow under [the] forward floor and vorticity shed from the fence system, increasing floor load.”

In tandem, Mercedes have also modified the front brake ducts, enlarging both the inlet and exit areas. This tweak is specifically tailored for Montreal’s high brake duty demands: “to cover off high brake duty for this circuit.”

Midfielders Showcase Developments

Midfielders Aston Martin, Alpine, and Racing Bulls have also brought updates to Canada.

Aston Martin mirrored Mercedes’ focus on braking, implementing a new front brake duct with a larger exit for improved cooling performance in heavy braking zones.

Alpine has introduced a revised front wing aimed at delivering improved aerodynamic balance across a broader range of conditions.

Racing Bulls arrived with two noteworthy changes to their front wing:

-A reduced-chord flap, which the team said helps adjust aero balance at lower rear wing levels: “It achieves this by reducing the load generated by the front wing at a given flap angle.”

-A revised lower winglet endplate, designed to “improve the quality and consistency of the shed vortex, which in turn increases rear downforce.”

No Movement from Red Bull or Ferrari

While McLaren and Mercedes press forward, Red Bull and Ferrari have opted to hold station in Montreal. Both teams are understood to be focusing on further understanding their current packages rather than introducing new parts.

With the tight title battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris continuing to heat up, and McLaren’s development pace showing no signs of slowing, the next few races could prove pivotal in shaping the championship narrative.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook