Red Bull boss Christian Horner contended it is “quite strange” that McLaren’s 2025 Formula 1 car can generate heat in the tyres without a compromise to degradation.
McLaren began the new campaign as it ended the previous one: on top as Lando Norris converted pole position to prevail in the season-opening round in Albert Park.
But while Max Verstappen pushed Norris to the line, the chaos that ensued in changeable conditions at Melbourne disguised McLaren’s true advantage over its rivals.
Verstappen had mixed it with the McLaren duo in the nascent stages until troubles with tyre degradation on the Intermediates saw his challenge wane at a rapid rate.
Having split Norris and Oscar Piastri up to Lap 17, Verstappen dropped behind the latter with a mistake at Turn 11 and proceeded to lose 14 seconds across 10 laps.
The Dutchman capitalised on several Safety Cars and more rain descending to pressurise Norris in the closing laps, but he was unable to pass the wounded McLaren.
“I think that McLaren obviously have a well-balanced car,” Horner told media including Motorsport Week. “Particularly in sector three, they look strong.
“Max made a good start, got a little boxed in, but then a great move around the outside of Oscar and was able to challenge [Norris] a little.
“But I think we were just a little heavier on the tyre, particularly in the last sector. So then that gap started to open. Oscar was able to get back past Max.
“It was interesting though, because right at the end on the Inters, it started to come back again. We started to look very competitive again.
“At the pit stop we went on to the mediums and I was somewhat surprised to see everybody going on to hards on a damp track. We felt that would give better warm-up and so on.
“Then the rain came again and it was only wet really in the last sector. The first two sectors were quick and it very nearly paid off to get the overcut and get the lead.
“But in the end, when it all played out, he managed to jump back up into second for what became an eight-lap shootout to the finish.
“He very nearly nicked it at the end there. So I think Lando looked like he tightened a little bit at the end of the race.
“He made a mistake at Turn 6, went half off the track. That gave Max a little bit of a run at a track that’s very difficult to overtake.
“Then the next lap he got another run. So yeah, a very, very close finish to an exciting race. So for us, I think it’s a very solid start to what’s going to be a marathon of a year.”
Red Bull puzzled by McLaren enigma
Horner admitted McLaren’s MCL39 car being able to produce instantaneous temperature in the tyres whilst sustaining limited degradation is an anomaly on the grid.
“I think it’s different to everybody, yes, and what’s quite strange is that they enjoy great warm-up, but also very low degradation,” he pinpointed.
“Usually one comes at the expense of the other. So, they certainly at this circuit seem to have mastered that.”
Asked whether improved balance would help with tyre preservation, Horner replied: “When you’ve got a car that’s very well balanced, the whole world looks different.
“It’s always an interaction between aero and mechanical,” he expanded.
“You can see the McLaren, they’ve got it in a very sweet spot, particularly for this circuit. Then with that comes very good degradation. The car is very kind on its tyres.”
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