McLaren Focuses on Perfecting Formula 1 Starts Amidst Costly Launch Issues
Lando Norris’s victory at the Dutch Grand Prix may have overshadowed McLaren’s struggles with getting off the line, but the team is well aware that it needs to address its launch issues to remain competitive in the world of Formula 1. According to McLaren boss Andrea Stella, the team’s poor starts have resulted in significant missed opportunities, including Oscar Piastri’s loss of a podium chance at Zandvoort.
Stella emphasized that the performance of the launches is a priority for the future at McLaren, citing the importance of nailing the perfect start in Formula 1. The team’s struggles with starts have been a recurring theme this season, with Norris facing issues in particular. At the Spanish Grand Prix, Norris made a good initial getaway from pole position but lost momentum in the second phase of acceleration, allowing Max Verstappen to get alongside him. A similar scenario played out at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Piastri got alongside Norris at Turn 1.
“The Formula 1 starts have become increasingly complex, with a greater emphasis on driver influence over the launches. The FIA has made several moves to ensure that starts are in the hands of the drivers, rather than engineers.”
To achieve the perfect getaway, drivers must master three separate elements: the initial getaway phase, the second phase element where the clutch is steadily released, and the final acceleration phase. Analysis of Norris’s start problems has shown that they typically go wrong in the second phase, where the transition to the final acceleration element is critical.
McLaren’s double whammy at Zandvoort has highlighted the importance of teamwork in maximizing getaways. Stella revealed that sometimes a misstep in one phase can trigger consequences in later ones, making it crucial to identify where things go wrong. The solution is not simply for Norris to go easier on the accelerator, as it is not just the throttle level that has to be perfect to ensure no wheelspin.
Instead, a host of factors come into play, including the manner of the clutch release, its bite point, its temperature and wear, the throttle level, torque characteristics of the engine, tyre temperatures, and the level of grip being offered by the track. These elements and their influence never stay the same, which means that what works for one race start will not work for another.
To deliver better race starts, teams need to learn from what went wrong in the past and use that knowledge to improve for the future. This is the process McLaren is going through right now, with Stella emphasizing the importance of teamwork and incremental improvements. As the Formula 1 season heats up, perfecting the art of the start will be crucial for teams looking to gain an edge over their competitors.
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