Nil Holdi: The balance of power in Monza may change.

      The McLaren team and its driver Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, have achieved two consecutive victories and believe this clearly indicates the progress made. But now it is important to confirm this at the Italian stage of the season in Monza.

      Although the team acknowledges that the MCL40 is likely not going to be the fastest car this upcoming weekend, it intends to seize any opportunities to earn as many points as possible.

      For the Italian Grand Prix, McLaren has prepared a number of small updates in aerodynamics, but the team also plans to use several special components designed for this track, where a minimal level of downforce is required. They were first tested during practice in Hungary.

      Neil Holdsworth, Technical Director of McLaren Applied Engineering: “We arrive in Monza after two consecutive victories. Everyone in the team is pleased with the progress we have made throughout the season, which boosts the motivation of the entire team, and we continue to work hard.

      We know that we had a fast car in recent races, but that is not a guarantee of success. The Monza track is very different from most others we have raced on in previous stages, so we expect the competitive landscape may change compared to Hungary and the Netherlands.

      Rivals continue to improve aerodynamics and upgrade power units, so our task is to act flawlessly, paying attention to every detail – from setups to energy management approaches. Then the drivers will be able to show the maximum of what they are capable of, and we hope they will once again fight at the front.

      Monza is a unique track with long straights, where it is important to achieve reduced drag, but stability is needed in heavy braking zones, and good handling is required in chicanes. Since energy resources per lap are limited on this track, it is essential to figure out how to best recharge the batteries and manage electrical energy during practice.

      Accordingly, it is especially important to conduct overtakes correctly, as different approaches to energy recovery and usage can create a “yo-yo effect,” where cars will constantly change positions at different points on the track depending on who has the advantage.

      Nevertheless, the battle in the leading group promises to be very tight, and much will depend on the accuracy of our calculations made in the simulator – how correct the baseline setups will turn out to be. During practice, we need to act clearly to refine them and ensure that the drivers are as comfortable as possible behind the wheel.

      This weekend we will use components that we believe are necessary to be competitive, including a new rear wing designed for low drag. We also plan to apply the so-called H-Wing for the first time in combination with several small aerodynamic updates – we must assess the effectiveness of all this before we finalize the aerodynamic package specifications, i.e., before qualifying.

      Overall, we understand that the potential of the MCL40 is not yet fully utilized, so the task is to enhance the car's performance both in its current configuration and through the innovations we plan to introduce in the upcoming races.”