F1 rivals have ‘firm belief’ that McLaren have lost performance after ‘trick’ was removed from their car

McLaren have been mighty developing their car this season and have been better than all of their rivals at doing so.

Not many could have imagined they would catch Red Bull by the end of 2024 at the start of the year, let alone the middle of the season.

They ran Max Verstappen close in the drivers’ championship and Lando Norris got his first taste of a title battle – an experience which will come in handy in the future.

But in the end, they fell short of their target – they believed just a few months ago, that they could win everything, and yet they haven’t – so why is that?

F1 rivals have ‘firm belief’ McLaren have lost performance

At the Las Vegas Grand Prix, McLaren were off the boil compared to their recent form – and they were for parts of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix a few weeks prior too.

In Vegas, they had a new rear wing, which didn’t have the same DRS ‘trick’ they have had all year, which has boosted the efficiency of their flap.

It may have been a partial explanation for their poor performance – as they were the third or fourth-fastest car in cold conditions.

READ MORE: Lando Norris explains problem he’s faced for six years at McLaren after Las Vegas Grand Prix

Journalist Piergiuseppe Donadoni revealed on X (formerly known as Twitter) that some of their rivals think they may have lost performance on low downforce circuits as a result.

“Mclaren: there is a firm belief among opponents that, without the mini DRS trick, the MCL38 has lost performance on fast circuits.

“Thus the very low load wing, which had not been used in Monza, had to make its debut in Las Vegas.”

Will McLaren’s performance loss hurt their final two races?

Now that the drivers’ championship is a foregone conclusion, McLaren must turn their attention to a heated constructors’ battle with arch-rivals Ferrari.

It represents a chance to end a 25-year run without the crown, last won when they had Mika Hakinnen and David Coulthard in their cars.

It’s hard to know what to expect from the papaya outfit at both the Qatar Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since they have a mix of medium and high-speed corners.

READ MORE: McLaren told they will have Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri ‘problem’ that can’t be solved next season

That would normally suit the McLaren, but there are long straights added into the equation now which could see them suffer with their newer front wing.

It shouldn’t matter to the tune of more than 24 points (their lead in the standings), but if it does, their rear wing may end up being a focal point of that.