“For Miami we will finally have the first set of improvements to our car,” confirmed team leader Stella in Shanghai.
But with the team being realistic that they may need another year of continued development to truly compete at the forefront, Miami’s upgrade package is the first in a series of steps in this direction.
As well as adding pure performance, the update is also designed to improve the way the car takes care of the tires, with rear degradation being a key differentiator at this weekend’s Shanghai event.
“These improvements will also include attempts to improve tire degradation, so we will try to see if we can take a step forward,” explained Stella.
“Considering the number of improvements we would need to make to get closer to some of our competitors, I would say we need more than a series of improvements in terms of improving tire behavior.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“But with everything it’s a constant development. You never assume it’s enough when it comes to keeping the tires in the correct operating window.”
“The next one will certainly be interesting from a tire point of view.
“Especially if in Miami we have high temperatures like before, so the track becomes a little limited at the rear; a lot of traction with low speed corners and then accelerations.”
Norris and Piastri qualified fourth and fifth for Sunday’s Grand Prix, after finishing sixth and seventh respectively in the 19-lap sprint.
Stella said it was clear that Red Bull and Ferrari still had a better handle on keeping the rear tires alive, with front graining less of an issue than many initially thought.
“I think the circuit has been pretty consistent in that the main limitation is rear axle overload,” he said.
“It’s not a surprise because this track in terms of tarmac, despite a surprising surface, it is more on the side of Bahrain and Suzuka.
Sergio Pérez, Red Bull Racing RB20, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“We know we are overloaded at the rear, which some cars handle better than us, for example Ferrari and Red Bull.
“In terms of limitations at the front, I think since we introduced the wide tires there has been a lot less graining in China than before 2017.”
“For Miami we will finally have the first set of improvements to our car,” confirmed team leader Stella in Shanghai.
But with the team being realistic that they may need another year of continued development to truly compete at the forefront, Miami’s upgrade package is the first in a series of steps in this direction.
As well as adding pure performance, the update is also designed to improve the way the car takes care of the tires, with rear degradation being a key differentiator at this weekend’s Shanghai event.
“These improvements will also include attempts to improve tire degradation, so we will try to see if we can take a step forward,” explained Stella.
“Considering the number of improvements we would need to make to get closer to some of our competitors, I would say we need more than a series of improvements in terms of improving tire behavior.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“But with everything it’s a constant development. You never assume it’s enough when it comes to keeping the tires in the correct operating window.”
“The next one will certainly be interesting from a tire point of view.
“Especially if in Miami we have high temperatures like before, so the track becomes a little limited at the rear; a lot of traction with low speed corners and then accelerations.”
Norris and Piastri qualified fourth and fifth for Sunday’s Grand Prix, after finishing sixth and seventh respectively in the 19-lap sprint.
Stella said it was clear that Red Bull and Ferrari still had a better handle on keeping the rear tires alive, with front graining less of an issue than many initially thought.
“I think the circuit has been pretty consistent in that the main limitation is rear axle overload,” he said.
“It’s not a surprise because this track in terms of tarmac, despite a surprising surface, it is more on the side of Bahrain and Suzuka.
Sergio Pérez, Red Bull Racing RB20, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“We know we are overloaded at the rear, which some cars handle better than us, for example Ferrari and Red Bull.
“In terms of limitations at the front, I think since we introduced the wide tires there has been a lot less graining in China than before 2017.”