Piers Thynne, executive director of operations at McLaren F1 Team says that the team is working as hard as it can to score more points in the run up to the three-week summer break. With just six points splitting McLaren and BWT Alpine F1 Team in the constructors championship battle for fourth place, every point is crucial for both teams.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, which features the second sprint race of the year, Thynne gives us an inside look at what McLaren are considering for this weekend’s adapted format.
“We’ve hit the halfway point in the 2022 season and the team is working harder than ever. Working within the cost cap forces teams to work efficiently, and with three grands prix and a tyre test to go before the summer break, everyone both at MTC and at track is working hard to give us the best possible chance to score good points over the coming races, particularly with opportunities that may present themselves within the sprint format in Spielberg.
“There are many elements at play at the Red Bull Ring that we take into consideration when preparing the cars and all parts for the weekend. There are high levels of attrition possible with the harsh curbs which can easily damage components so we have to ensure we have enough spare parts available for all key areas of the car,” Thynne continues.
“This is particularly important from a production perspective when taking into consideration the increased risk of damage that comes with the sprint format and it being the second half of a double header, but something we work into our long term plans when preparing for the season so the team are ready to go.
“The track itself has lots of great features, from the changing gradient and the uphill right-handers to the three fast straights, it will be interesting to see how the new iteration of cars handle at the circuit.”
Thynne’s outlook on spare parts, the budget cap and extra risk involved with FIA Formula 1 World Championship sprint races is fascinating, and the Mclaren team will be hoping that they will not need to use any of its spare parts this weekend.
