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Formula 1 United States GP

McLaren and Mercedes detail large aero upgrades for Austin F1 weekend

The extensive upgrade packages to be used in Austin by McLaren and Mercedes have been revealed

Jake Boxall-Legge
Jake Boxall-Legge
Edited:
McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal and General Manager, Scuderia Ferrari and Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lando Norris, McLaren

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Gunter Steiner

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Mika Hakkinen

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Otmar Szafnauer

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Mattia Binotto, CEO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Danica Patrick

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Jock Clear, Ferrari, Oliver Bearman, Reserve Driver, Ferrari and Haas F1 Team, James Vowles, Team Principal, Williams Racing

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Alex Albon, Williams Racing

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal, Haas F1 Team, Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, with Romain Grosjean

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
A Ferrari fan in the paddock

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Helmets of Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Helmets of Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team, in the cockpit

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Red Bull Racing RB20 detail

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Red Bull RB20 rear suspension detail

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Haas VF-24 detail

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team, in the cockpit

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Red Bull Racing RB20 detail

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Franco Colapinto, Williams, Gaetan Jego, Williams Racing Race Engineer

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
The flag of the United States of America

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, NASCAR star Jeff Gordon swap helmets

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, NASCAR star Jeff Gordon swap helmets

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Oliver Oakes, Team Principal, Alpine F1 Team, in the Team Principals Press Conference

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, in the Team Principals Press Conference

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal, Haas F1 Team on stage

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Former NASCAR star Jeff Gordon poses with an Aston Martin Pirelli Hot Laps car

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team, Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal, Haas F1 Team, Raoul Spanger, Manager of Nico Hulkenberg

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Leo Neugebauer in the Haas F1 Team garage

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team, with Gene Haas, Owner and Founder, Haas F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Mercedes F1 W15 rear suspension detail

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Haas VF-24 rear wing detail

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Franco Colapinto, Williams FW46

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Alex Albon, Williams FW46

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Mattia Binotto, CEO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Mick Schumacher, Reserve Driver, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Jeff Gordon

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Mechanics push Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Alpine mechanic pitlane practice

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Mercedes F1 W15 front wing detail

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Alex Albon, Williams FW46

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Sprint pole man Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Sprint pole man Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, celebrates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, receives his Sprint Qualifyiing Award from Leo Neugebauer, German Track and Field athlete

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Neugebauer, German Track and Field athlete

2024 United States Grand Prix - Friday
98

The McLaren and Mercedes teams have introduced comprehensive aerodynamic upgrades for the United States Grand Prix, as both teams look to find further performance for the final stage of the 2024 season.

McLaren has set its changes off with a new front wing, with a new front suspension package to match it as it revises the flow patterns produced around the front end of the car.

This also includes changes to the front brake duct aerodynamics, plus a circuit-specific change to the size of the cooling duct as Austin generally does not require large inlets to manage brake temperatures.

The team has also modified its rear suspension fairings to further improve its aerodynamic performance, along with a new rear brake duct cooling exit.

McLaren has brought its higher-downforce rear wing to Austin, but offset it with a single-element beam wing. This reduces the drag of the overall assembly, and should also ensure that the application of DRS is effective owing to the reduced drag overall.

The team has stopped short of introducing a new floor for Austin; multiple teams have rolled back on floor designs this season as the performance shown in simulations has not necessarily emerged on the track. 

Mercedes also has a new front wing and front suspension package, which the team has noted will "reduce front wing wake which improves flow to the rear of the car."

Mercedes F1 W15 front wings

Mercedes F1 W15 front wings

Photo by: Andreas Beil

The Brackley outfit has also brought new bodywork to Texas, reprofiling the sidepod inlet to increase the overbite to improve the quality of airflow moving through the cooling components within the car.

Furthermore, the W15 has received a new floor which features a new floor edge wing with an added vane, and reprofiled floor fences to draw more performance out of the underbody.

This follows the team's roll-back on the floor design it introduced for the Belgian Grand Prix, which it ultimately took off for the race owing to troubles in setting the car up with it.

Red Bull has made two aero changes for Austin, pairing a floor edge wing modification with a circuit-specific set of sidepods to improve the cooling characteristics.

Across the rest of the field, Aston Martin has a new front wing, floor, and bodywork to improve the amount of load produced by the AMR24, while Alpine has a new floor, bodywork and rear wing. Pierre Gasly will take the updates for this weekend, while Esteban Ocon runs with the older spec car.

RB has a new floor that it hopes will help maintain sixth in the constructors' championship, although Haas has a series of updates as the American team looks to leapfrog RB in the points standings. This includes a new floor, a sidepod with a larger undercut, and a few changes to the bodywork cooling capabilities.

Sauber also has a new front wing and suspension fairings, as the Swiss team looks to score its first points of 2024.

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