McLaren’s Andrea Stella has responded to comments made by Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff suggesting that the McLaren MCL60 closely resembles the design of the Red Bull RB19.
Following a challenging start to the season with the MCL60, McLaren introduced a comprehensive upgrade package over the past two race weekends, which has paid off with the team securing second and third place in qualifying at the British Grand Prix.
Hamilton and Wolff both commented on the similarities between the MCL60 and the Red Bull car, with Hamilton stating that they look “very, very similar down the side.” Wolff acknowledged the resemblance but emphasized that the stopwatch is what truly matters.
Stella confirmed that McLaren took some inspiration from the RB19 but clarified that drawing inspiration does not equate to directly copying the geometry of another car. He explained that teams often analyze photos and gather inspiration, but the key is understanding which concepts have the potential to enhance development.
Stella praised Peter Prodromou, who leads McLaren’s aerodynamic development, for his exceptional work in setting the conceptual direction and inspiring the entire aerodynamic group.
When asked about the significance of photos of Red Bull’s floor taken during the Monaco Grand Prix, Stella downplayed their impact, stating that all teams gather inspiration from various sources and photographs. He emphasized the importance of doing one’s own job and iteration to create solutions that work.
Regarding McLaren’s aims for the race and competing against Aston Martin and Red Bull, Stella highlighted the importance of understanding the battles to pick on Sundays. They will assess their pace and tire longevity to determine a sensible race strategy.
In conclusion, McLaren has acknowledged the inspiration drawn from the Red Bull car but has emphasized the importance of their own development work. The team will make strategic decisions based on their pace and tire management during the race.
