McLaren wants to return to the top

Red Bull et Ferrari are clearly one step ahead of McLaren but the Woking team does not despair. The arrival in Australia could even coincide with the return to form of the MP4-25, which showed some limitations in Bahrain. In Melbourne, the cars will navigate an “on off” circuit, made up of fast straights and slow corners, so the need to benefit from aerodynamic downforce is less fundamental to perform well. McLaren is therefore confident that the MP4-25 will do well there, despite the lack of aero downforce of the car.

In addition, McLaren also needs to solve another problem, that of tire degradation. In the paddock, more and more informed observers are convinced that the MP4-25 is fishing in this area, degrading its tires more quickly than the others. Which is a very credible explanation for the fact that Martin Whitmarsh called for the obligation for a single-seater to stop twice during a Grand Prix. However, when he spoke in Bahrain, the main McLaren team used this argument in order to reignite suspense during the races. You might as well combine business with pleasure.

If all is not rosy for McLaren, the British team with two World Champions should therefore show a better face this weekend. But the fight will be fierce against Red Bull, which has a head start, Ferrari, determined to continue its momentum, and Mercedes, who intends to raise his level of performance.