Nil Holdy on the features of the weekend in Zandvoort...

      Before the weekend in Zandvoort, McLaren Applied Engineering's Technical Director Neil Holdsworth spoke about the features of the Dutch track and the challenges for the second half of the season...

      Neil Holdsworth: "We arrive in Zandvoort having won the last race before the summer break. We are in good shape, but we fully understand how tight the competition will be and how important reliability will be.

      In the first half of the season, we learned how to work with this car to unlock its potential and how to address the issues that arose. We continue to refine it and will bring some updates for the rear of the car this weekend to complement the aerodynamic package presented in Hungary with a new rear wing and new cooling ducts for the rear brakes. But we know that our competitors will also present updates, so we will focus entirely on maximizing the performance of the car. We know that if we do everything right, we can compete on the same level as the leaders.

      In Zandvoort, engineers will face unique challenges. The cambered corners, fast sections, hilly configuration, and wind that can destabilize the car make finding the right approach difficult. One of the key tasks this weekend is to find a balance between suspension stiffness and handling on the uneven track. During practice, we need to optimize the aerodynamic settings and ride height.

      We expect that with the 2026 cars, cornering speeds will decrease due to less downforce, while straight-line speeds will increase due to more power and less drag. This will change drivers' approaches to different sections of the track. Friday's practice is important for gathering information, assessing updates, and adapting if the weather adds another layer of complexity.

      Overall, we are looking forward to returning to racing after the break. We have an extremely challenging second half of the season ahead. There are still 12 races to go, and the team's focus remains on improving the car and results. Building on the work done in the first half of the season, we will strive for greater consistency in unlocking the potential of the MCL40."