What's Up With McLaren This Year?

"atomic8778" (atomic8778) 09/08/2013 at 22:35 • Filed to: Formula 1

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(image from Google/CNN)

Slight spoiler? If you didn't watch the Italian GP, I guess it could be a spoiler.

Anyone have an idea of what's up with McLaren this year? I mean this is their 50th year anniversary and so far [Italian GP being the latest], they haven't won a race...let alone a podium. I haven't fact checked this, but as far as I can remember, they haven't even qualified in the top 3 positions this year. I'd understand if they didn't have qualifying speed, but had a solid race pace, but that hasn't been the case either. The highest position they've finish in was 5th. That isn't bad compared to say a backmarker, but this being McLaren, it's pretty bad. I know it's not either driver's fault - they're both solid drivers, especially Jenson, so I'd assume it's the car.

But does anyone have any idea about what part of the car is seriously underperforming? I understand it could be a sum of parts, meaning 1 part is subpar which leads to another part being subpar - such as the aero package lacking that leads to suspension set ups being wonky (maybe?). Or perhaps bad race strategy? Maybe loosing Lewis was a serious blow? Were they doomed to begin with?

Furthermore, should they bother anymore? I mean yes, you should absolutely care to win, and I'm sure they do, but should they stop trying to upgrade the car any further - meaning leaving it as is and just hoping for the best - and focus everything for next year? There's 7 races left, and if today's any indication, I don't think McLaren is going to have a shot at WCC...or even the WDC for that matter. So should they just cut their losses and shift to next year already?

I absolutely love McLaren, but it's heartbreaking to see them underperforming this year, their 50th Anniversary. Anyone have any ideas what's happening?

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > atomic8778 09/08/2013 at 22:50

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They radically redesigned things from the 27, which was the fastest car last year. They made it more reliable, but killed the performance

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > atomic8778 09/09/2013 at 00:02

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I saw on the broadcast of Spa that they stopped development of this years car to focus it all on next years because of the dramatic rule changes. To be honest I think that's the smart move here because so much is changing. Hopefully we can watch the McLaren/Honda relationship start on a high note.

atomic8778 > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo 09/09/2013 at 00:50

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I do hope they have a rockin' start next year. It'll really boost morale considering this season for them definitely hasn't been going well. I can only hope they score at least one win this year.

atomic8778 > McChiken116 - Patrick H. 09/09/2013 at 00:54

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I guess they got at least that: a reliable car. Maybe they were going for a consistently podium scoring car to offset a potentially race winning-less car.