McLaren prepared for loss of crucial F1 trick after rules revamp

McLaren says it is "accepting" of the fact that some of its advantage in 2025 will be wiped out by the new F1 floor rules.

Between 2022 and 2025 in the ground effects era, the floors were required to be as low to the ground as possible to create downforce, with McLaren excelling after upgrades in 2023, going from backmarkers at the start of that season to champions by the end of 2024.

In 2025, the MCL39 was the dominant machine in the first-half of the campaign, which ended with the team claiming its first championship double since Mika Hakkinen in 1998 with Lando Norris and a first defence of the constructors' since 1991.

However, for 2026, the flat bottom floors are gone and have been replaced by those which require rake - the difference in height between the front and rear, which was a common trait in the 2017-2021 generation of car.

Reflecting on this, chief designer Rob Marshall has explained how the team is "accepting" of the changes.

"Firstly, when it comes to aerodynamics, I can only speak for [technical director, aerodynamics] Peter Prodromou, who is the genius on it," Marshall told media, including RacingNews365.

"I think we're accepting the fact that this is an entirely new car, there's some learning and elements where we've leaned on other cars, but in truth, it is all new.

"The whole floor operation is completely different, the whole front of the car is completely different, the wings are completely different.

"There's little read across, but some inspiration from what has happened in the past.

"The cars are slightly narrower by comparison [to 2025], but not enough to have a real effect in terms of how the car feels to the driver.

"It's got less downforce, but the driver won't really feel the difference in the wheelbase, but it is going to be a different experience.

"Whether or not it changes the racing fundamentally, I'm not sure, but hopefully it is a good car to drive."