McLaren special F1 rear-wing advantage explained

McLaren is the only top team to have brought an additional aerodynamic development package to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil.

After introducing a revised front wing in Austin, and a new floor in Mexico - available only for Norris - the Woking team has delivered a brand new medium-downforce rear wing to Interlagos.

As shown below, it is characterised by the V-shaped profile, or 'scoop', of the main wing.

In practice, it is not a conventional spoon profile, but a V-shaped profile with two straight half profiles. These are not curved, as would be the case with a true spoon shape.

It is a solution, as understood by RacingNews365, which allows for an increase in downforce in its central section, that will also generate very little drag in a straight line, not to mention increased effectiveness of DRS, when deployed.

Text continues below image of the new rear wing on the McLaren MCL38.

The papaya squad is continuing, without interruption, the development of the MCL38, trying to deliver all technical resources available to increase its performance, as it fights to win a first constructors' title since 1998.

In the closing stages of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Lando Norris showed how effective the MCL38 remains, despite Ferrari proving the team to beat in recent weeks.

McLaren, able to rely on a fundamentally stable and effective car, is trying to increase the performance gap with its direct rivals in the hope of being more competitive than Ferrari, something that will also positively aide Norris in his fight against Max Verstappen for the F1 drivers' championship.

It is interesting to note that only those two teams, at least in the last five races, have been able to introduce extensive developments and derive clear advantages over the competition.

This is a direct consequence of the fact that the direction taken in development by both has proven to be free of uncertainty for several races now.