McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has issued a cautionary note regarding Red Bull’s Formula 1 performance at the recent Mexican Grand Prix qualifying. He emphasized that evaluating Red Bull solely on its qualifying showing could be misleading due to potential aerodynamic compromises stemming from the challenging conditions at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Max Verstappen, who has secured three pole positions in the last four races, found himself in fifth place during qualifying, trailing McLaren’s Lando Norris by half a second. This marked a triumphant moment for Norris, as it was his first pole since the Belgian Grand Prix in July and McLaren’s first top qualifying performance since Oscar Piastri led the charge in the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August.
Despite McLaren’s resurgence in form, which snapped a series of disappointing Saturdays, the significant gap between their performance and Red Bull’s results did not align with the expectations set by their recent performances. Verstappen described the car’s handling as lacking grip and traction, echoing issues he experienced before the summer break in Hungary.
Stella mentioned that the unique altitude conditions of Mexico City could conceal the true speed of Red Bull’s car due to the necessary compromises in their cooling system. He explained that the quality of a team’s cooling system becomes crucial in hot climates and at high altitudes, where lower air density affects car performance.
“It’s a circuit where your cooling system’s efficiency matters immensely,” Stella noted, suggesting that any need for Red Bull to sacrifice aerodynamic efficiency for cooling could lead to the performance discrepancies observed during qualifying.
He also praised McLaren’s engineering advancements, highlighting the effectiveness of their cooling technology, which seemingly allows them to perform well even under the extreme conditions in Mexico. Stella conveyed pride in their ability to use available technology without resorting to Mexico-specific solutions, contrasting their approach with that of other teams.
Looking ahead, Stella expressed optimism for the race, acknowledging the importance of a clean start for Norris, who will be in pole position, and for Piastri, who starts seventh. He believes that managing tire performance will be critical, especially as McLaren’s car could demonstrate stronger endurance throughout the race.
“As long as we stay competitive in the race, we can capitalize on our strengths,” Stella added, indicating confidence in McLaren’s ability to leverage their technological advantages.
This performance evolution highlights McLaren’s commitment to innovation and adaptability in the competitive world of Formula 1, positioning them as a formidable contender moving forward in the season.