TECH WEEKLY: How McLaren are making the difference in F1’s intriguing 2025 aerodynamic race

Downforce, aero efficiency and aero balance through a circuit’s speed range are the three main determinants of competitiveness, and in the five races to date we have seen a pattern emerging between the top four cars.

The McLaren looks to have the best combination of these; the Red Bull cannot retain its aero balance through long-duration corners, but on circuits which suit it, it can be very competitive; the Mercedes and Ferrari look to have good aero efficiency, but the Ferrari has similar traits to the Red Bull – a difficult through-corner balance and a narrow speed range.