McLaren cites double‑diffuser to justify copying rival upgrades
Summary
Rob Marshall says studying rivals—like Ferrari’s rear wing or Audi’s concepts—is essential, citing the 2009 double‑diffuser as proof that copying can give a grid advantage as the team heads to Miami and Canada.
McLaren chief designer Rob Marshall says dissecting rivals’ upgrades is a strategic necessity, not mere copy‑catting. He cites the 2009 double‑diffuser – once controversial, later copied by the whole grid – as proof that understanding a concept can become a performance boost. The upgraded MCL‑40 will debut in Miami and Canada, with parts from Ferrari, Audi and Aston Martin.
Why it matters:
- Copying accelerates development; a single aero gain can decide a race.
- The double‑diffuser showed a legal reinterpretation can reshape the technical landscape overnight.
The details:
- McLaren’s upgrade for Miami and Canada includes an MCL‑40 rebuild, borrowing Ferrari’s “Macarena” rear wing, Audi’s front‑end concepts and Aston Martin‑style barge‑board tweaks.
- Marshall explains the scouting process: “We look at everything. If regulations allow, we test in the wind‑tunnel or CFD, then decide if it fits.”
- 2009 double‑diffuser, used by Brawn, Toyota and Williams, was challenged by Red Bull’s Adrian Newey but cleared by the FIA – a precedent that legitimises copying when the physics are sound.
What's next:
- McLaren will debut its upgraded package at the Miami Grand Prix, hoping borrowed ideas boost straight‑line speed and tyre life.
- With 2026 power‑unit rules looming, the team says cross‑team intelligence will be even more critical to stay ahead of the development curve.
Original Article :https://racingnews365.com/mclaren-point-to-controversial-device-to-explain-f1-co...