McLaren flags tyre graining as obstacle in fight for front of grid
Summary
McLaren boss Andrea Stella says tyre graining is the biggest hurdle keeping the MCL40 off the podium. He aims to improve chassis performance and close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari in 2026.
McLaren boss Andrea Stella says tyre graining is the team's biggest technical hurdle as they chase Mercedes and Ferrari. The MCL40 is third‑quickest this season, but front‑tyre grip loss is keeping it off the podium.
Why it matters:
- Grip loss reduces corner speed and raises tyre wear, negating the advantage of a strong HPP power unit.
- Closing the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari is essential for McLaren’s 2026 title push; without solving the tyre issue the team remains midfield.
The details:
- After Piastri’s DNS in Melbourne and power‑unit glitches in China, McLaren rebounded in Japan. Piastri led from third on the grid before a safety‑car pit stop shuffled the order.
- Stella noted front‑graining at Suzuka, a problem that didn’t appear in earlier races, and said McLaren seems more prone to it than Ferrari or Mercedes.
- He added Ferrari still has a corner‑grip edge and a slightly more powerful engine, while HPP’s unit remains competitive for McLaren.
What’s next:
- Engineers will focus on tyre‑management, tweaking suspension and monitoring temperatures to curb graining.
- Chassis aerodynamics work will be accelerated to lift corner grip.
- The next race will test these upgrades, with Stella expecting the performance gap to narrow.
Original Article :https://racingnews365.com/mclaren-make-f1-discovery-as-firm-instruction-delivere...