Formula 1 Rumor: McLaren's secret sauce is in its CFD modeling

The McLaren MCL39 has emerged as the car to beat in the 2025 Formula 1 season, with drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri burying the opposition.

Start of the race, during the Austrian GP, Spielberg 26-29 June 2025, Red Bull Ring Formula 1 World championship 2025.

This marks a stark contrast to the dominance of Red Bull, led by Max Verstappen, who ruled the sport in 2023 and 2024. However, losing Rob Marshall and Adrian Newey left Red Bull trailing this year, with their once-dominant design now ranking only fourth in pace.

McLaren has surged to the forefront, positioning themselves as favorites to claim both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. Speculation abounds regarding their sudden competitiveness, with Red Bull pointing to McLaren’s innovative brake duct design as a potential advantage.

Yet, former F1 engineer Nick Wirth offers a deeper insight. On *The Race F1 Tech Show* podcast, Wirth attributes McLaren’s success to a breakthrough in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, despite strict limits on wind tunnel hours and simulation technology across all teams.

Wirth, a pioneer of CFD during his time at Virgin Racing, suggests McLaren has unlocked a key aerodynamic edge. “The slam dunk for me is that wind tunnels can’t replicate curved flow,” he explained. “I wouldn’t be surprised if McLaren has cracked this with their CFD modeling, delivering sensational downforce that leaves rivals baffled. An extra 15 points of downforce can overshadow concerns like tire cooling—it’s a game-changer.”

McLaren’s rise isn’t accidental. The team has bolstered its ranks with top talent, including Rob Marshall from Red Bull and, since 2023, Peter Prodromou, whose aero team upgrades have significantly boosted lap times. Earlier this year, McLaren extended Prodromou’s contract with a multi-year deal, underscoring their commitment to his expertise in digital aerodynamics.

Wirth warns that this dominance isn’t fleeting. “The car isn’t unbeatable, but McLaren’s achievement is astonishing,” he said. “If they’ve solved a fundamental aerodynamic challenge, they’ll carry this momentum into 2026, when new chassis and engine rules kick in. Rivals should be on notice.” With Prodromou’s influence and McLaren’s strategic hires, the team appears poised to redefine the sport’s competitive landscape for years to come.