When the MCL60 challenger was originally launched during the 2022-23 winter season, McLaren’s new team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown were forced to admit that their development targets had been missed. As a result, the car failed to score a single point during the opening two weekends of the Formula 1 season. However, McLaren quickly turned things around with a three-stage major update package that transformed the car into a credible and consistent challenger to the dominant Red Bull team.
After McLaren’s resurgence in the 2023 season, F1 rookie Oscar Piastri, who won the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race, expressed his admiration for the speed of the team’s revival. In an exclusive interview with Autosport, Piastri praised the efforts of Stella, Brown, and the entire McLaren organization. He stated, “It’s exceeded everyone’s expectations of how quickly we’ve been able to turn things around.” Piastri further highlighted the team’s ability to make necessary changes and the success of the upgrades, which delivered more than anticipated. As a newcomer to McLaren, Piastri admits he didn’t expect to be in such a competitive position so early in his career at the team.
With the momentum gained from their impressive turnaround, McLaren is now set on pressuring Red Bull, the reigning constructors’ champion. The team’s commitment to progress is evident as they have invested in a new wind tunnel and have recruited top technical staff from their rival teams. Unlike Mercedes and Ferrari, McLaren does not have the burden of developing a completely new car concept for the current season, giving them an advantage in terms of familiarity and stability.
When asked about McLaren’s future development, Piastri emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum. He stated, “If you stand still, you’re going backward.” Piastri acknowledges that it is difficult to predict the progress of other teams, but he expresses satisfaction with McLaren’s current situation compared to the previous year. However, he also admits that the team still has weaknesses in low-speed handling, which they need to address in order to compete with their rivals effectively.
Despite McLaren’s progress, there are still challenges and uncertainties ahead. The team acknowledges that they are not yet on track with the frontrunners, and therefore, cannot accurately gauge their true competitiveness. Piastri believes that McLaren’s strengths and weaknesses must be carefully balanced against those of their competitors, a difficult task that even he considers challenging.
Looking beyond the current season, McLaren’s unexpected turnaround in the 2023 campaign has set the stage for a promising future. The team’s swift response to initial setbacks and their ability to deliver significant upgrades highlights their determination and capability. With a renewed sense of optimism, McLaren aims to build on their progress and continue their upward trajectory to challenge the dominant teams in Formula 1.
Leave a Reply