[jerkstate]

McLaren has a loooong history of applying carbon fiber in new ways that revolutionize racing - the MP4/1 was the first full carbon monocoque chassis way back in 1981. Even though carbon fiber had previously been used in a limited fashion in other automotive and aerospace applications, most people credit McLaren for really bringing carbon fiber to the automotive world, because the MP4 series of racing cars were so dominant, everyone else copied them.

McLaren is also currently leading the F1 world championship (after one race) after having won the constructor's championship last year. So whatever they are doing merits understanding.

[archsurface]

They didn't win last year as much Checo handed it to them.

[syntaxless]

McLaren did win. Norris did not. F1 is a team sport. The drivers championship is secondary as it doesn’t award money or affect wind tunnel time.

[archsurface]

You've misunderstood. I know what F1 is and how it works, I've been watching it since the 70s.

[ForTheKidz]

I'd appreciate an insight into what above poster allegedly misunderstands.

[txs]

I believe the original point was that McLaren had an easier time winning the constructors because they had two drivers collecting points, while Red Bull — due to Checo not performing — only had one

[mauvehaus]

Checo (Sergio Perez) was Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull. Red Bull had a dominant start to the season which set Verstappen up to win the driver's championship. Lando Norris at McLaren mounted a challenge to Verstappen as the McLaren car went from good to great at Miami, but couldn't pass Verstappen. He did, however, have a strong teammate in Oscar Piastri, and the two of them handily accumulated enough points for McLaren to beat Red Bull for the constructor's championship.

Which brings us back to Checo. There's a strong argument to be made that he, driving the dominant car for the first six races and probably second best car for the remainder of the season, should have been able to score enough points to keep McLaren from winning the constructor's championship. He did not and Red Bull cut him loose at the end of last season.

The second seat at Red Bull has been a brutal spot to be in since Verstappen came along. Arguably their car is very tailored to his preferences, and it's hard for another driver to get the most out of it, or even set it up to suit their preferences. Whatever the case, it's been a bit of a revolving door.

[syntaxless]

The Red Bull car isn’t dominant. Max’s skill covers up how bad the car really is. Especially without Newey. Very similar to Marquez in MotoGP.

[wafflemaker]

I'd second it. F1 racing is an interesting combination of sport, physics, aerospace engineering and manufacturing. But most of us don't have the background to fully enjoy what you've said without at least some background.

[spookie]

It doesn't matter what any of the other teams did apart from points. McLaren won the constructor's championship.

[ksec]

I mean judging from Liam Lawson I think the car isn't that well suited to most people other than Max.

And I remember Christian Horner said something to Zak Brown that seems to fuel fire inside him. And McLaren have been improving since then.

And back to the topic, I was rathe hoping this is some new tech we could reduce the weight of F1. It is still way too long and wide. Even accounting for the upcoming 2026 changes.

I wish we could go back to Pre 2009, sub 600kg much smaller F1 cars.

[atonse]

And Lawson might do it yet again this year, if the first race was any indication.

Still impressive what they’ve accomplished to respond to an utterly dominant RB.

[syntaxless]

Red Bull isn’t dominant. Max is.

[rand0m4r]

tu tu tu du max verstappen

[rad_gruchalski]

Carbon Fibre didn’t become mainstream until Pagani Composite Research was established in 1988. The person who brought carbon fibre to the masses was Horacio Pagani through his cooperation with Lamborghini. That’s where Horacio Pagani had the money from to focus on Pagani Automobili.