Macklaren wrote: ↑08 Dec 2024, 19:31
I know today is about celebrating what we have already achieved but what are thinking about 2025? Some of the late season upgrades didn't seem to deliver as much time as previous packages? Zak talking about a dramatically different car next year sounds a bit ominous/scary after what RBR went through this year? Least wind tunnel time of anyone in the 2nd half of 2025? Everyone ignoring 2025 and focusing on 2026?
Upgrades naturally deliver diminishing returns as they get closer and closer to the ultimate potential of the regulations. At this point there isn't much more the teams can do to improve their existing packages. We are well past the point of pure upgrades. Most upgrades from now on will be more about tradeoffs the teams deem worthwhile. You won't be getting any more upgrades that are just outright better across the board, at least not with the existing cars.
If McLaren are making major changes, it's because they think they have exhausted the upgrade potential of the MCL38 and that it won't go much faster, or at least that developing it further would be inefficient compared to a clean-sheet design.
Both Ferrari and Red Bull have been confirmed to be making major changes as well, so I don't think there is any reason to suspect that McLaren will be taking any more risks than their competitors, if anything they are probably taking fewer, since their car lacks glaring issues. Ferrari is doing a major suspension overhaul at least, but will likely continue to upgrade the floor in the same direction they have been since Monza, while Red Bull are probably developing the RB21 based on the pre-Spain RB19.
Darth-Piekus wrote: ↑08 Dec 2024, 19:38
Wasn't there a rule that forbid research in the 2026 cars till a certain date?
Yes, but the teams can still save wind tunnel and CFD time for when the development embargo is lifted, at least that is my understanding.
