McLaren MCL38: 2024 F1 Car Specs & Stats

McLaren's F1 Car for 2024

The McLaren MCL38 is the team’s 2024 Formula 1 challenger, designed to compete in the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. It was unveiled at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, United Kingdom, marking another step forward in the team’s technical evolution under Team Principal Andrea Stella.

The MCL38 reflects McLaren’s ongoing rise up the grid after its impressive 2023 campaign. It continues the aerodynamic and mechanical concepts that brought podiums and a race win last season, while incorporating refinements aimed at improved consistency, weight reduction, and aerodynamic efficiency.

Design & Development

The MCL38 has been developed at McLaren’s state-of-the-art facilities in Woking, combining lessons from 2023 with new innovations to strengthen the team’s competitiveness from the opening rounds of the 2024 season.

Led by Technical Director Peter Prodromou and Performance Director Rob Marshall, the car represents a detailed evolution across key areas:

• Revised aerodynamic surfaces for improved airflow efficiency and stability
• Refined sidepod and floor design for enhanced downforce and cooling
• Optimised suspension geometry for better tyre management
• Improved packaging and weight balance for consistent handling across circuit types

The team’s aim was clear: to deliver a more stable and predictable car capable of fighting at the front from round one.

Livery

The MCL38 livery continues McLaren’s modern interpretation of its heritage, featuring the iconic Papaya Orange combined with Anthracite, Fluro Papaya, and exposed carbon-fibre detailing.
This lightweight paint scheme reduces mass while reinforcing the team’s instantly recognisable look.

The design maintains a balance between heritage and high-tech precision, showcasing McLaren’s partnership with OKX, Dell Technologies, Coca-Cola, Google, and DP World, among others.

Drivers

Lando Norris (#4) – continuing his partnership with McLaren into a sixth F1 season.
Oscar Piastri (#81) – entering his second full season after an outstanding rookie campaign that delivered podiums and a Sprint victory.

McLaren MCL38 Technical Specification

(as published by McLaren Racing, 2024)

Chassis: Carbon-fibre composite monocoque with survival cell and halo protection
Front suspension: Push-rod-operated front suspension with carbon-fibre wishbones
Rear suspension: Pull-rod-operated rear suspension with carbon-fibre wishbones
Gearbox: McLaren 8-speed, semi-automatic, sequential with reverse gear
Differential: Hydraulic limited-slip control
Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion
Brakes: Carbon discs and pads supplied by Akebono with brake-by-wire system (rear)
Wheels: Enkei forged magnesium alloy
Tyres: Pirelli 18-inch slick, intermediate, and wet compounds
Electronics: FIA Standard ECU
Fuel system: FIA-approved rubber fuel cell
Overall weight: 798 kg (including driver, as per FIA regulations)

Power Unit: Mercedes-AMG F1 M14E Performance 1.6-litre V6 turbo-hybrid engine
Displacement: 1,600 cc
Rev limit: 15,000 rpm
Fuel injection: Direct, 500 bar maximum pressure
Turbocharger: Single, with intercooler
Energy Recovery System (ERS):
MGU-K (max power): 120 kW (≈163 hp)
MGU-K (max speed): 50,000 rpm
MGU-H (max speed): 125,000 rpm
Energy store capacity: 4 MJ
MGU-K energy recovery: 2 MJ per lap
MGU-K energy deployment: 4 MJ per lap
Fuel flow limit: 100 kg/h
Maximum fuel per race: 110 kg

McLaren F1 Team Comments

Andrea Stella – Team Principal

“The MCL38 represents another important step in our journey. The team has worked tirelessly to take what we learned last season and deliver a more complete package from the first race. We know the competition will be fierce, but we’re determined to keep pushing forward.”

Lando Norris – Driver #4

“Last year showed what’s possible when we get everything right. The MCL38 feels like a solid foundation to fight at the sharp end of the grid again.”

Oscar Piastri – Driver #81

“It’s great to start my second season with a car that builds on what we achieved. Everyone at McLaren has put in huge effort over the winter, and I’m excited to see what we can do together.”

Summary

The McLaren MCL38 continues the team’s upward trajectory, blending evolutionary aerodynamics with proven Mercedes hybrid power. Built for efficiency, balance, and development potential, it embodies McLaren’s determination to challenge Formula 1’s front-runners once again throughout the 2024 F1 season.

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Car Profile

Team	McLaren
Season	2024
Constructors'	P1 609 pts
Races	24 (48 starts)
Designers	Peter Prodromou Head of aerodynamicsNeil Houldey Technical director

Compare with another car

Drivers of the McLaren MCL38

4 LandoNorris P2 4 wins · 374 pts

81 OscarPiastri P4 2 wins · 292 pts

Full Car Statistics

Constructors' Title	1
Grands Prix	24
Race Starts	48
Wins	6 (12.5%)
Poles	8
Podiums	21 (43.8%)
Fastest Laps	7
Points Finishes	46
Points	609
Retirements	1 (2.1%)
Drivers	2

Power Unit & Tyres

Power unit	Mercedes M15 E Performance 1.6 V6 turbo hybrid
Also powered	Aston Martin AMR24, Mercedes W15, Williams FW46
Tyres	Pirelli

Key Car Landmarks

FirstLast

Race2024 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix2024 BHR F1 GP2024 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix2024 UAE F1 GP

Pole2024 Spanish F1 Grand Prix2024 ESP F1 GP Norris2024 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix2024 UAE F1 GP Norris

Win2024 Miami F1 Grand Prix2024 MIA F1 GP Norris2024 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix2024 UAE F1 GP Norris

Podium2024 Australian F1 Grand Prix2024 AUS F1 GP Norris2024 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix2024 UAE F1 GP Norris

Points2024 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix2024 BHR F1 GP Norris2024 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix2024 UAE F1 GP Piastri

Fastest lap2024 Miami F1 Grand Prix2024 MIA F1 GP Piastri2024 Qatar F1 Grand Prix2024 QAT F1 GP Norris

2024 Race by Race

24 Grands Prix

Lando Norris

6835212422DNF32513414266101

Oscar Piastri

84488134257241242135887310

1Podium 7Points 14Outside the points DNFNot classified