German GP: McLaren Formula 1 team fast-tracks upgrade package

McLaren has been working on an aggressive upgrade package for its MP4-29, with a first major development step being delivered at the Austrian GP.

And the new rear wing, which was originally only scheduled to be ready for next week's Hungaroring race, was fitted to Kevin Magnussen's car at Hockenheim on Friday (pictured).

Button said it was hugely encouraging that McLaren's development plans were being fast-tracked, as it is involved in a very tight constructors' championship battle with Ferrari, Williams and Force India, the quartet currently covered by just 16 points in third to sixth places.

"You are always trying to bring things as quick as you can," said Button. "The update that was supposed to be for Silverstone we got in Austria, and we have something here that is just going to make it.

"I will have it on the car on Saturday, while Kevin will have it for practice. That has just made it for this race and was supposed to be for Hungary - so everything is coming forward, which is nice to see.

"We have to do that if we are going to have any chance of scoring biggish points in the next few races."

Having endured a frustrating spell earlier in 2014 as McLaren struggled with a lack of downforce, Button thinks that the car is now much improved - which is why he nearly grabbed a podium spot at Silverstone.

"To finish fourth is not bad at all," he said about the British GP. "OK, a Mercedes didn't finish, a Williams didn't finish, but that is part of racing.

"We were quicker than the Ferrari when we got on the tyre that works for us - and that is definitely an improvement compared to the last few races.

"It is a step forward, on a high speed circuit with changes of direction that are not something that really is a strength of this car. So the aero package we had on it definitely improved the balance.

"We have a few things here which should help it on this type of circuit which is slower, with more traction and braking zones. That is more a strength of our car."

CRAIG SCARBOROUGH ON McLAREN'S NEW WING

Rather than the gap between the two rear wing elements (in between the 'Johnnie' and 'Walker' of the sponsor logo) being straight, it is instead a wavy line. The endplates also now feature two rows of strakes rising up their sides.

The wavy slot gap forms serrated edges, and each creates a break in the airflow and the wing's wake is broken into smaller vortices for less drag and lower pressure. The strakes at the side of the wing also produce vortices to create lower pressure for more downforce.

Teams have used serrated gurney flaps on rear wings before and Le Mans cars have exploited serrated slot gaps for similar reasons.