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After an unsuccessful attempt to run the blown diffuser in the British Grand Prix, McLaren is hoping that the next race in Hockenheim will prove a crucial test for the upgrade.
Despite discarding the system at Silverstone, McLaren clinched a podium in the last race with Lewis Hamilton finishing second in the grand prix. Jenson Button, who had started fourteenth, stormed through the field to end up fourth.
“We’ve come off an extremely successful run of recent races, but we’re nonetheless under no illusions that we need to bring further performance to the MP4-25 if we are to remain at the forefront of this championship battle,” said Martin Whitmarsh ahead of the German Grand Prix.
“I think Silverstone showed that we were in no mood to be complacent – either in our aggressive push to put upgrades on the car or our decision to remove them and put our faith in an older iteration of the car, despite a lack of running compared with our rivals,” he pointed out. “It’s ambition and decisiveness that win world championships, and, on both counts, I think we got that blend just right last weekend, which is pleasing,” he added.
The Woking-based outfit lead both the drivers’ and the constructors’ championship ahead of its closest rivals Red Bull. However, it is no secret that the RB6 is the strongest car on the grid and have successfully adapted the exhaust-blown diffuser.
“The days since the British Grand Prix have been spent back at the MTC industriously undertaking rig tests, dyno running and development in the wind tunnel to ensure that the future deployment of the blown diffuser gives us a more accurate and beneficial read,” the McLaren team principal explained.
“Of course, that final validation will only come at the circuit. So we’re looking at undertaking a major test programme on Friday at Hockenheim. This will involve both drivers running back-to-back evaluations with the T2 and T3 floors,” the 52-year-old said.
“And, if these prove positive, we’ll then look at the deployment of the new floor for the remainder of the race weekend. But that’s a decision we’ll only make after a thorough analysis of the inherent risks and benefits,” he added.