Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both impressed in 2023 – but McLaren’s chief isn’t expecting either of them to push for silverware when the new season starts in March.
McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, concedes that both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will face difficulties in challenging Red Bull this season.
In 2023, Red Bull’s top driver, Max Verstappen, secured his third consecutive world title with an astonishing lead. Verstappen triumphed in all but three of the 22 races held last year, finishing a remarkable 290 points ahead of his teammate, Sergio Perez, who came in second.
Verstappen’s dominance propelled Red Bull to a staggering 451-point advantage over Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship. Ferrari secured third place, while McLaren and Aston Martin claimed fourth and fifth positions, respectively. The gap between McLaren and Red Bull amounted to 558 points.
Despite McLaren’s struggles to keep up with Red Bull, they still achieved some notable successes in 2023. British driver Norris secured seven podium finishes, ultimately placing sixth in the Drivers’ Championship. Meanwhile, Australian newcomer Piastri made two appearances on the podium during his debut Formula 1 season.
However, Stella maintains that McLaren still has a significant gap to close in order to challenge Red Bull for the championship. According to the McLaren chief, even a talented driver like Verstappen can only perform within the limitations of the car. Stella emphasizes the need for McLaren to acknowledge that the combination of Verstappen and Red Bull is currently faster than them, and they must strive to surpass them.
Stella further asserts that it would have been impossible for their car, regardless of the driver, to match the speed of Red Bull in the latter part of the stints. The Red Bull team demonstrated better tire management, highlighting the distinction between the car’s performance and the driver’s abilities.
Nevertheless, Stella acknowledges Verstappen’s exceptional skills as one of the best drivers in Formula 1. She believes that he flawlessly maneuvers his superior car, showcasing his mastery. With Verstappen’s commanding lead over Perez in the previous race, he is widely regarded as the frontrunner for this year’s championship.
Stella elaborates on Verstappen’s ability to consistently deliver an exceptionally high standard, even in the most challenging circumstances. She emphasizes that Verstappen exemplifies the full potential of the Red Bull car when it is operated with perfection.
The upcoming F1 season is set to make history with several notable changes. For the first time ever, all 10 teams will remain unchanged from the previous year’s final race, marking a significant milestone in the sport’s long-standing history. Additionally, a remarkable 24 races have been planned for the year 2024, including six thrilling sprint races.
The highly anticipated campaign will kick off on March 2 with the Bahrain Grand Prix and conclude on December 8 with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Notably, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will make a comeback on May 19 after being canceled last year due to flooding, while the British Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on July 7. These exciting developments promise an unforgettable season for F1 enthusiasts worldwide.
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