Browsing: McLaren

McLaren has given the strongest indication yet that it is now prepared to fully support Lando Norris’ Formula 1 title bid, despite previously being hesitant to introduce team orders. With eight races remaining in the season, the team recognizes the growing importance of maximizing Norris’ points-scoring opportunities to close the 62-point gap with championship leader Max Verstappen.

McLaren is set to review Oscar Piastri’s aggressive first-lap move on teammate Lando Norris at the Italian Grand Prix, examining whether it adheres to the team’s ‘Papaya Rules’ code of conduct. The incident sparked debate as Norris lost momentum, ultimately allowing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to claim second place. McLaren boss Andrea Stella emphasized the importance of capitalizing on every points-scoring opportunity as the team targets the constructors’ and drivers’ championships.

McLaren’s Lando Norris expressed his unease over the daring lap-one pass by his teammate Oscar Piastri at the Italian Grand Prix, stating that the Australian driver ‘got way too close for comfort’ during the audacious move. While Piastri’s pass was executed to perfection, Norris felt his teammate had pushed the limits of their ‘papaya rules’ requiring extra caution when racing each other.

Lando Norris has attributed McLaren’s impressive Formula 1 qualifying performance at Monza to major advancements in aerodynamic efficiency, allowing the team to gain an astonishing 20km/h on the straights compared to last year’s car. This marks a remarkable turnaround for the team, which struggled at the Italian Grand Prix in 2022.

As the 2023 Formula 1 season reaches a critical juncture, McLaren is well aware that it requires additional upgrades to its MCL38 car to stay ahead of Red Bull at select tracks on the calendar. Despite Lando Norris’s impressive advantage over Max Verstappen at the Dutch Grand Prix, the team knows it cannot rest on its laurels, especially with the championship fight still closely contested.

Red Bull’s dominance in the 2022 Formula 1 season has been challenged by the rise of McLaren and Mercedes, with team boss Christian Horner citing the front wing design as the key to their rivals’ success. Exploring the technical details behind these developments could provide insights into the ongoing battle for the top spot in F1.

McLaren is well aware that it needs to address its launch issues to remain competitive in Formula 1. The team’s poor starts have resulted in significant missed opportunities, with Andrea Stella emphasizing the importance of nailing the perfect start. The team is analyzing Lando Norris’s start problems and working to identify and resolve the underlying issues, recognizing that achieving the perfect getaway requires mastering a host of complex factors.