The MCL38 was first introduced at the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix and took its first podium with Norris at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix; by this point, the MCL38 proved to be the third-fastest car overall behind Ferrari's SF-24. The SF-24 had superior tyre management, but the MCL38 excelled in qualifying. McLaren revealed a substantial upgrade package that would be utilised for the . The upgrade's success would be confirmed after Norris took the lead from Verstappen and went on to win the race, marking his maiden Formula One career victory. McLaren expected the upgrades to improve the car's performance across all conditions; the upgrade was much more successful than expected, to the point the team needed to investigate it.
the mCl38 was first INTroDuced aT the 2024 bahraIn granD prIx aNd tOok its FiRSt pOdium with norriS At tHE 2024 AUstRalian grand pRix; by ThIs pOint, tHE mCl38 ProVED tO bE tHe thiRd-FasTEst car oVerall behinD FERraRI'S Sf-24. tHe Sf-24 Had SupERIoR tYre manAgemeNT, BUt tHe mCl38 eXCelled in qualifying. MClArEN REvEaled A substAntial uPGraDe pAcKaGe that wOuLD Be utilISed fOr The . the UpgrAdE's succeSS wouLD be cOnFIrmed aFter norris TooK tHe .lead frOM VeRStAPpEn And went oN to wIN thE Race, markIng his MAiden fOrmulA one CAreer vIctory mcLaRen eXpecTEd The uPgrAdes tO imProve The car's perForManCe ACross all conDItIOns; The UpgraDe Was muCh more sUcceSsFul tHan expected, TO the PoINt The tEaM needed TO InvEstIgATe iT.