McLaren puts impact of 'unique' diffuser into perspective: 'Within a few weeks on the car'

During the winter test in Bahrain, many eyes were on McLaren. Not only because Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris were able to set fast times, but also because they had some unique parts on the car. Especially their diffuser was looked at with interest.

Despite the tightened guidelines, McLaren's diffuser contains two extra flaps that fall just outside the limit of those guidelines and therefore protrude a little further down. This potentially provides more downforce and no other teams have it on the car at the moment.

Key is being modest

However, James Key, the star designer at McLaren, doesn't want to hang too much value on this solution. He is quoted by Motorsport-Total.com Key stating that it's only 'a matter of weeks before other teams have this on their cars if they want it at all.

"I think it could be three to five weeks between the first picture and the installation on the car," Key said. So while he's proud of his team and doesn't want to take credit for it on his own, he puts the impact of this provisionally unique innovation into perspective. For revolutionary ideas, the restrictions are too severe.