McLaren obtained convincing evidence of their progress against Red Bull in 2024, but there are still areas where they need to improve. The team’s performance has gradually improved since the disappointing season opener in Bahrain, especially on tracks that prioritize medium and high-speed aerodynamics. In Saudi Arabia, McLaren had the fourth fastest car, in Australia it was the third fastest, and in Japan it had the second best lap time based on qualifying. This suggests that McLaren has been making progress in challenging Red Bull’s advantage in medium and high-speed areas. However, the team struggled in sector two compared to last year and fell a bit further behind in sector three. Low-speed corners, chicanes, and long straights continue to pose difficulties due to the car’s lack of aerodynamic efficiency. In the race, Lando Norris finished 30 seconds behind Verstappen, which was more than 10 seconds worse than last year. Additionally, both Ferrari cars showed a stronger race pace, indicating significant improvements in high-speed performance and tire management.
McLaren was disappointed with their overall pace in Suzuka. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged that Ferrari had the upper hand, while Norris simply stated that Ferrari was faster. The strong performance in qualifying did not translate into an equally impressive performance in the race. This is likely because new tires and low fuel can mask a car’s weaknesses, and Ferrari struggled to maximize their pace over a single lap. Norris, however, was pleased with his qualifying performance and recognized that the race brought them back to reality. The small performance differences mean that the order can change based on minimal performance gaps, but a truer hierarchy emerges over a full race.
According to McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, the team was able to mitigate some of their weaknesses in low-speed areas when using new soft tires. The increased grip compensates for deficiencies, allowing them to defend positions better and minimize time loss in low-speed corners. However, in the race, when using harder compounds that gradually lose grip, the car’s weaknesses become more apparent. This explains why McLaren struggled more in the race compared to qualifying. Ferrari’s progress was evident in their ability to overtake McLaren and finish ahead of them in the race. McLaren’s improved performance on tracks like Suzuka is no longer enough to overcome their existing weaknesses.
Stella believes that McLaren’s competitiveness against Ferrari is limited by the nature of the track. High degradation and the possibility of overtaking make it challenging to maintain positions. The finishing order is mainly determined by the pace of the car, unless there are significant issues. Stella does not believe that McLaren could have achieved much more than the podium they secured, although they could have finished ahead of Leclerc if they had not focused on racing against Sainz. The decision to make an early pit stop in the second part of the race resulted in Norris getting stuck behind Leclerc for the rest of the race, causing him to drop to fifth place. Nevertheless, Norris sees the 10-second gap to Ferrari as a good result, considering the circumstances.
Stella believes that finishing third in the championship would be a positive result for McLaren. It would only be the second time since 2012 that they have achieved such a position, the other time being in 2020, when Ferrari struggled. The competition in Formula 1 is stronger now, so McLaren is focused on maintaining its position as the third-best team and continuing to improve. Although McLaren may face challenges in the upcoming races with more low-speed corners, they are determined to progress and outperform their rivals. They see this season as a solid foundation for future improvements.
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Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen secured an impressive victory at the Monaco Grand Prix last Sunday. Verstappen, from the Red Bull Racing team, delivered an exceptional performance by leading the race from the start and crossing the finish line in first place. With this win, Verstappen solidifies his position as one of the top contenders in this season’s world championship.
The race in Monaco is known for being one of the most challenging and exciting on the Formula 1 calendar. With its narrow streets and tight corners, the circuit demands skill and precision from the drivers. Verstappen demonstrated his prowess in overcoming the obstacles and maintaining a comfortable lead over his competitors throughout the race.
In addition to Verstappen’s victory, the Monaco Grand Prix was also marked by some collisions and incidents. Several drivers struggled to adapt to the track conditions and ended up being involved in accidents. However, Verstappen managed to avoid these problems and stay in the lead, showcasing his maturity and skill as a driver.
With this win, Verstappen now sits in second place in the overall championship standings, behind only Lewis Hamilton of the Mercedes team. The 2024 Formula 1 season promises to be a fierce battle between these two talented drivers, and fans are eager to see who will emerge as the champion.
The next Grand Prix will be held at the Istanbul International Circuit in Turkey. It will be interesting to see how Verstappen and Hamilton fare on this challenging track. With his victory in Monaco, Verstappen has gained a confidence boost and will surely be determined to continue his streak of success.
Formula 1 fans are excited about the current season and look forward to more thrilling and adrenaline-filled races. With talented drivers like Verstappen and Hamilton competing at the top, each race promises to be an epic battle. Stay tuned for more updates and comprehensive coverage of the world of Formula 1.
