Developing new McLaren is tricky: 'You have absolutely no reference'

Formula One teams are facing another big challenge. Next season the regulations will be completely different again, which makes car development rather difficult. According to Andreas Seidl of McLaren, you have also no frame of reference to focus on.

After eight years of building the same kind of cars, teams have to work hard to create a completely new car for 2022. That's a big job, which is why some teams, such as Haas, even decided last year to abandon the development of the 2021 car and focus entirely on the new one.

Even with more time for development, Andreas Seidl says it's a tough job. "It's because you have absolutely no reference. Still, as a team you naturally try to set ambitious, but also realistic goals," the team boss explained in a conversation with Formel1.de.

Despite the fact that Seidl has no frame of reference on how the development of the new car is going, the German is happy. Indeed, McLaren's new car is reportedly responding well to developments and positive results are coming back from the wind tunnel. But how much that is worth, according to Seidl, will become apparent during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in March.

No new reorganisations for the time being

With the new regulations, McLaren may even become one of the teams to fight at the front of the field. In recent years the team has made great strides after the failed partnership with Honda. Zak Brown has also implemented major restructuring in the field of organization and personnel. Seidl, for example, is one of the new top people who has ensured the positive course of events.

For now, the current staff will also have to take care of the success. "I am absolutely convinced that we have all the talent on board that we need to take the next steps," states Seidl. The team boss is therefore proud that McLaren has managed to narrow the gap with Red Bull Racing and Mercedes in 2021, despite having to put a completely new engine in the car.