McLaren's back-to-back wins at Budapest and Zandvoort weren't just about the aero upgrades that restored lost downforce — they unlocked a genuine step forward. The car now dominates the faster, longer corners, and the high-speed performance has exceeded even McLaren's internal targets. But the real edge at Zandvoort came from new front wheel rims and more closed wheel covers, a detail that flew under the radar. The redesigned rims feature internal "pockets" that manage air exchange and thermal transfer, keeping more heat in the tyre. That matters because front-tyre temperature has been McLaren's Achilles heel all season — graining in Australia and China, struggles in Monaco. At Zandvoort, Norris nailed pole on his final Q3 lap while rivals needed an extra tour to bring the rubber up to temp. The rear rims stayed unchanged; tyre deg is already marginal there. With Monza next, McLaren's high-speed weapon just got sharper.
Read the full story at Motorsport.comTHE UNDERLYING UPGRADE THAT BOOSTED MCLAREN'S PERFORMANCE JUMP
McLaren's back-to-back wins at Budapest and Zandvoort weren't just about the aero upgrades that restored lost downforce — they unlocked a genuine step forward. The car now dominates the faster, longer corners, and the high-speed performance has exceeded even McLaren's internal targets. But the real edge at Zandvoort came from new front wheel rims and more closed wheel covers, a detail that flew under the radar. The redesigned rims feature internal "pockets" that manage air exchange and thermal transfer, keeping more heat in the tyre. That matters because front-tyre temperature has been McLaren's Achilles heel all season — graining in Australia and China, struggles in Monaco. At Zandvoort, Norris nailed pole on his final Q3 lap while rivals needed an extra tour to bring the rubber up to temp. The rear rims stayed unchanged; tyre deg is already marginal there. With Monza next, McLaren's high-speed weapon just got sharper.
