McLaren's 'Mini-DRS': Stella rejoices over 'decoy' that distracted other teams

What if all this was just a strategy well executed by McLaren to disrupt the competition? Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, one of the hot topics in the paddock was this famous rear wing of the MCL38 which, under the pressure of the air at high speed, lifted slightly and offered a "mini-DRS" effect. A spoiler which notably allowed Oscar piastri to assert itself in Baku. Faced with the controversy and criticism launched by Red Bull, Mercedes et Ferrari especially, FIA has asked McLaren to make changes on this aerodynamic appendage until the end of the season.

At McLaren, the story is laughable. Indeed, this rear wing specification specific to "low downforce" circuits was only planned for the next Grand Prix in Las Vegas by the end of the season. If the British team agreed to modify its rear wing, Andrea Stella claims that this story of "mini-DRS" was a "red herring", understand a "decoy" to distract and disrupt its competitors. And the least we can say is that it worked! "For us, making changes is unimportant, so we might as well do it. It won't have a big impact on performance.", said the McLaren Team Principal in Singapore.

"For McLaren, this is good news" Stella says

“Personally, as McLaren principal, I think having so much attention on our rear wing is good news because it means the opponents are not focusing on themselves, underlines the Italian leader. The Formula 1 It's such a complicated sport... when I see that there is so much attention from the other teams, it means that they are going to work, that they are going to do analyses, that they are going to talk to the FIA. Time and energy are limited. They are using this time and energy to pursue something that, in my opinion, is a decoy. For me, for McLaren, it is good news."

This rear wing with a "mini-DRS" effect is not expected to see the light of day again by the end of the season, but in the meantime, McLaren has taken a full score in the last two rounds with two victories, one for Piastri in Baku, one for Norris in Singapore. Two radically different tracks that show the incredible versatility of the MCL38, capable of performing on all types of circuits. And this, with... or without the controversial rear wing. The Oranges now have a 41-point lead over Red Bull in the Constructors' category, while Lando Norris sees its delay fall to 52 points against Max Verstappen. “The Drivers’ Championship is still ongoing, the mission is ongoing! " proclaimed Andrea Stella after his driver's victory on Sunday in Singapore.

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