F1 tech expert believes he’s just discovered something ‘unique’ about McLaren’s new car

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Formula 1 technical expert Craig Scarborough believes he’s spotted something ‘unique’ on McLaren’s 2024 car.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are both chasing their first Grand Prix win this year and will hope the MCL38 can help them reach the top step of the podium.

Posting on social media after pre-season testing, Scarborough was analysing what he’s seen on McLaren’s latest offering to Formula 1.

‘Unique’ part spotted on McLaren 2024 car

It may be the third year of the current regulations in Formula 1, but teams are still finding clever ways to be innovative.

Last year’s Red Bull was unstoppable and yet this year’s car looks very different with Adrian Newey taking the RB20 in a new direction.

Judging by their performances in testing, it looks like they may have extended their gap over the rest of the grid.

Mercedes have also brought a few new parts this year and one in particular has caught the attention of Newey.

Meanwhile, McLaren have looked steady so far but one unique part on their 2024 car could end up giving them a small advantage.

That could ultimately be the difference between qualifying on the second row of the grid or third and with Red Bull expected to dominate in Bahrain, that might help them achieve that final podium position.

Innovation taking place across the F1 grid

Examining the MCL38, Scarborough said: “I just picked up on a ‘unique’ idea on the #MCL38. The lower front wishbone & steering rack are reversed! Not new in historical terms, but new in the current formula.

“Now the steering rack is behind the front axle line, with its trackrod sitting below/behind the wishbone.

“Usually it’s the opposite, the rack mounting the front of the car, easy to access and connect the steering wheel/column to.

“This change is likely to be purely aerodynamic, but does open up options for steering Ackerman geometry.

“All three lower suspension elements are in a cascade helping drive downwash towards the underfloor tunnels. I’d love to see [the] rack in situ and the steering column routing.”

Any aerodynamic improvements McLaren can make heading into 2024 are going to be beneficial and this unique solution could end up being very effective.

Only time will tell if they’ve gone in the right direction with their development and it’s going to be difficult to say just how much we can attribute any improvement to their steering rack change.

Joylon Palmer believes he’s spotted McLaren’s ‘Achilles heel’ after studying the car in Bahrain and that’s something Andrea Stella and Zak Brown have to address.

Their drivers are also making sacrifices to improve their on-track performance, including Norris admitted to giving up one hobby he was ‘heavily addicted’ to.