With the two most recent world champions in their ranks, McLaren were understandably optimistic going into the 2010 season. The new-for-the-year MP4-25 also featured a trick aerodynamic system that allowed the driver to 'stall' the rear wing on the straights, giving the McLaren a top-speed advantage. Unfortunately Red Bull Racing lined up with an aerodynamically even more advanced machine. Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button nevertheless managed to win five Grands Prix between them and McLaren finished the year second in the constructor's table.
Subtle changes to the regulations encouraged the British team to develop a drastically different car for 2011. The most signification revision was the ban of the 'double diffuser', which generated a significant amount of downforce on the 2010 car. Additional changes included the return of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) hybrid drive and a switch to Pirelli rubber from long-time exclusive supplier Bridgestone. All new for 2011 was the Drag Reduction System (DRS) that allows drivers to open part of the rear wing when chasing another car on certain parts of the track to make passes a little easier.
Efficiency was the key word in McLaren's design brief for 2011, which resulted in a very distinct L-shaped sidepods. Somewhat reminiscent of the design used on the 1995 Benetton, this solution allows air to flow more efficiently to the rear end of the car. For that same reason, the Neil Oatley led design team followed Red Bull Racing and switched to a pull-rod rear suspension from the more conventional push-rod layout. Another significant change to the mechanical package was the addition of the components needed to make the KERS work. Charged by the rear axle, the system consists of a battery pack to store the energy and a 60 kW electric motor bolted to the gearbox.
In order to get a better understanding of the new tyres, McLaren decided to run the old car during the first official test session. The MP4-26 was launched a few days later and was used in the following sessions. These would turn out to be far from trouble-free and the MP4-26 would rack up the least miles of all top teams' cars. A major contributor to the problems was a complicated exhaust system that directed the high-velocity gasses onto the floor well forward in an attempt to generate additional downforce. Unfortunately the MP4-26 ended the tests showing both a lack of pace and reliability.
Once again showcasing their ability to turn things around, the McLaren engineers at Woking developed a heavily revised package ahead of the season opening Australian Grand Prix. The upgrade made a night and day difference and the MP4-26 was in the sharp end of the standings for the first time of the year. Red Bull still had a clear advantage but McLaren emerged as the second team with Hamilton and Button finishing second respectively in the opening two Grands Prix. All pieces fell into place in China where a cunning strategy and a great drive saw Hamilton claim the MP4-26's first win at its third outing. A month earlier few would have believed that to have been only remotely possible.
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With the two most recent world champions in their ranks, McLaren were understandably optimistic going into the 2010 season. The new-for-the-year MP4-25 also featured a trick aerodynamic system that allowed the driver to 'stall' the rear wing on the straights, giving the McLaren a top-speed advantage. Unfortunately Red Bull Racing lined up with an aerodynamically even more advanced machine. Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button nevertheless managed to win five Grands Prix between them and McLaren finished the year second in the constructor's table.
