McLaren had a successful outing at the Albert Park F1 circuit, with Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz leading the charge. The team made significant improvements compared to the previous season, consistently gaining valuable points in all three races so far. The Australian GP was particularly notable, as Norris secured the first podium of the season with a third-place finish, while Sainz closely followed. Despite finishing behind Ferrari in Melbourne, Norris believes that McLaren’s MCL38 is a slightly superior package to the Italian team’s SF-24.
Norris is pleased with the team’s progress this season, especially considering their poor performance in the first half of the previous competition. McLaren struggled to score points early on but gained momentum in the second half, finishing fourth in the 2023 constructors’ championship. However, Norris acknowledges that there is still room for improvement with the MCL38.
One area where McLaren has historically struggled is at low speeds. During the winter break, the team dedicated significant efforts to address this weakness and make necessary changes to the MCL38. However, there are still aspects that require more attention. In terms of pace, the MCL38 lags behind Ferrari, as demonstrated in the Australian Grand Prix.
Unlike 2023, the Japanese GP is scheduled to take place in April this year instead of September. McLaren achieved a double podium at Suzuka last year, finishing in second and third place. However, it may be a challenge for them to replicate that success as Ferrari is strengthening their position. The unique characteristics of the Suzuka circuit have traditionally favored McLaren, but the competition from Ferrari’s SF-24 will pose a formidable obstacle. Nevertheless, in the unpredictable world of F1, there is always a chance that luck may favor McLaren, allowing them to achieve another double podium at the Japanese GP.
