Despite earning the least aerodynamic testing time for 2025 after a historic Constructors’ title win, McLaren boss Andrea Stella remains confident that efficiency—not time—will be the key to staying ahead of Formula 1 rivals.
F1’s Aero Testing Rules Hit Champions Hard
Formula 1’s Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions (ATR), introduced in 2022, aim to level the playing field by allocating less wind tunnel and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) time to the most successful teams. For McLaren, their first Constructors’ title in 26 years has come with a penalty: just 70% of the baseline testing allowance for 2025, down from 85% in the 2024 season.
The team that finished 10th in the standings will enjoy a 115% allowance, creating a significant gap in testing opportunities. Yet McLaren team principal Andrea Stella remains unfazed.
“You would always take P1 in the championship and then see how you can improve your efficiency,” Stella told Autosport, emphasizing that quality trumps quantity when it comes to aerodynamic development.
The 2024 Battleground: Lessons Learned in Tight Margins
The 2024 Formula 1 season was a relentless chess game of upgrades and innovation. Performance among the top teams was closer than ever, with Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes experiencing fluctuating results and correlation issues—a sign that more testing time doesn’t always yield better outcomes.
“It’s not because I have three times the wind tunnel time that I necessarily develop the car three times faster,” Stella explained. “We’ve seen this year very well that some teams’ upgrades didn’t always translate to progress.”
For McLaren, the focus is on precision development—making the most of every testing session to find real performance gains.
McLaren’s In-House Wind Tunnel: A Game-Changer
McLaren’s rise to championship glory in 2024 was powered by a critical infrastructure upgrade: their in-house wind tunnel. Previously, the team relied on Toyota’s wind tunnel in Cologne, Germany—an arrangement that often slowed their development process due to logistics.
Stella highlighted the massive efficiency boost McLaren now enjoys:
“With Toyota, the part was ready, but testing would take place two days later due to shipment,” Stella said. “Now, the part is ready, and it’s tested two hours later. You gain so much efficiency.”
While the logistical advantage is significant, Stella was quick to emphasize that the team’s success comes down to their holistic approach to aerodynamic development.
“Efficiency Over Testing Time”: Stella’s Winning Formula
Stella believes McLaren’s secret weapon is their relentless focus on generating knowledge and efficiency within aerodynamic testing—regardless of restrictions.
“Even if you have more restrictions, the way you generate knowledge and efficiency is by far the most important thing,” he stressed.
This philosophy turned McLaren from a challenger into a title-winning powerhouse, and Stella is confident that same mindset will keep them ahead of the competition in 2025—even with reduced testing time.
Why McLaren Isn’t Worried
While rivals may see the reduced testing allowance as a hurdle, McLaren views it as a challenge to refine their approach further.
Stella’s confidence is grounded in the team’s proven ability to deliver major upgrades—such as those seen at Austin and Singapore—even under time and resource constraints.
For McLaren, it’s not about how much time they spend in the wind tunnel, but how effectively they use that time.
Can McLaren Stay on Top in 2025?
As Formula 1 heads into another unpredictable season, McLaren’s strategy is clear: work smarter, not harder. With a title-winning car, an efficient wind tunnel operation, and Stella’s leadership, McLaren has no intention of letting reduced aero testing time derail their momentum.
For their rivals, this should be a warning shot: McLaren isn’t slowing down anytime soon.