McLaren MCL38 speculation.

[mwillems]

Andrea Stella when asked if McLaren are capable of winning in the 2024 season?

“Realistically speaking, we know that we need half a second if we want to remain competitive next season.”

Half a second is an interesting number. Given Red Bulls longer focus on next years car, half a second feels like a number that is more about stopping us from dropping too far back rather than keeping development parity. You'd think that since Red Bull have had more time and focus on their 24 car than us then the current gap to RB could possibly grow at the start of the season.

[Emag]

Half a second is not really a big number when you take into consideration how bullish some of the top teams are going into next season.

Everyone is practically scared at what RedBull might have done with the RB20 based on words coming out from that camp.

Mercedes has brought back Allision and they have been working on an all-new concept for next year which, again, looks like it's given them a confidence boost for 2024.

Ferrari has been quietly using 2023 as a learning platform and are also hyped to have great things cooking for 2024.

Half a second would barely put the 2023 car on par with the RB19 (race-pace wise). They would need to find at least a second if they want to fight in the sharp end of the grid from the get go in 2024.

[mwillems]

Half a second is not really a big number when you take into consideration how bullish some of the top teams are going into next season.

Everyone is practically scared at what RedBull might have done with the RB20 based on words coming out from that camp.

Mercedes has brought back Allision and they have been working on an all-new concept for next year which, again, looks like it's given them a confidence boost for 2024.

Ferrari has been quietly using 2023 as a learning platform and are also hyped to have great things cooking for 2024.

Half a second would barely put the 2023 car on par with the RB19 (race-pace wise). They would need to find at least a second if they want to fight in the sharp end of the grid from the get go in 2024.

Largely agree. No point arguing how far back we are from RB as I'm feel at some races we were very close and in other half a second or more.

But in everything else I feel you are correct.

I'd be surprised if RB are only half a second quicker in their new car versus the one that finished the season, which is why I also think if Mclaren gain half a second at the seasons start then this will only limit the losses and put us in the mix with Merc and Ferrari, possibly even behind them.

[MJIM]

Looks like it will be the MCL38 going by McLarens insta post, but couldn't see a hidden release date

[mwillems]

McLaren's 2024 Car: Key Takeaways
Early Development:

Design underway since July, leveraging the new wind tunnel.
All MCL60 upgrades utilized the old Toyota WT facility.
Focus Areas:

Drivability: Addressing long-standing challenges.
Mechanical elements: Suspension upgrade for improved downforce and stability.
Low downforce circuits: Targeting weaknesses identified this season.
Overall: McLaren appears to be taking a comprehensive approach to building a competitive car for 2024. Their emphasis on early development and targeted areas of improvement suggests a strong commitment to progress.

The design went into the wind Tunnel in July and was likely in development some time before.

[_cerber1]

Looks like it will be the MCL38 going by McLarens insta post, but couldn't see a hidden release date

Where? I haven't seen it on Instagram

[mwillems]

Looks like it will be the MCL38 going by McLarens insta post, but couldn't see a hidden release date

Where? I haven't seen it on Instagram

In the wind tunnel there is a sign saying MCL38.

[_cerber1]

In the wind tunnel there is a sign saying MCL38.

[Holm86]

Looks like it will be the MCL38 going by McLarens insta post, but couldn't see a hidden release date

Where? I haven't seen it on Instagram

In the wind tunnel there is a sign saying MCL38.

Are they teasing a new colour scheme too? Looking in the paint booth, I see tins of white, red, orange, and maybe a dark blue, but no light blue?

[mwillems]

Where? I haven't seen it on Instagram

In the wind tunnel there is a sign saying MCL38.

Are they teasing a new colour scheme too? Looking in the paint booth, I see tins of white, red, orange, and maybe a dark blue, but no light blue?

Did you know that guys have a less accurate perception of colour than women due to the way their brain processes the information?

That's the clause before I say that it looks to me that there is 2 tins of light blue on the top shelf.

But I wouldn't read too much into it, I think they do this as much for their own fun of watching us guess what we can extrapolate from it as much as they enjoy making something for us to do. And eventually it gets a little bit like when Chris Nolan fans find everything in his movie has meaning because everything in a Chris Nolan movie can have meaning therefore meaning magically appears everywhere

[Marc.W]

It's on "X" too for anyone wanting a better look, wouldn't read in to the shapes or anything, looks like Launch Spec MCL60 to me

[AR3-GP]

It's on "X" too for anyone wanting a better look, wouldn't read in to the shapes or anything, looks like Launch Spec MCL60 to me

That's clearly the MCL38

[mwillems]

It's on "X" too for anyone wanting a better look, wouldn't read in to the shapes or anything, looks like Launch Spec MCL60 to me

That's clearly the MCL38

You can tell from the anti dive suspension.

[_cerber1]

[lucafo]

As cars are evolving aerodynamically for big side pods (and entrance RBR like), maybe McLaren should re-consider its 2022 SIS and radiator arrangement.