In tabloid format, McLaren team boss Andrea Stella emphasized that the team’s focus is not only on the results, but also on the processes involved in their pursuit to return to contention for the Formula 1 title. Stella’s appointment at the end of 2022 breathed new life into McLaren, transforming them from a consistent presence in the midfield into a formidable front-runner since last summer. Building on the momentum gained in the previous season, McLaren secured Lando Norris’ first victory in Miami and remained competitive in Imola and Canada. In the last three races, McLaren has accumulated more points than their competitors, reducing the gap to Ferrari by approximately 40 points in the championship. Despite acknowledging McLaren’s significant progress, Stella emphasizes the importance of not allowing the improved results to become a distraction. Instead, the team remains focused on the process and consistent delivery of projects to maintain their performance-oriented approach. Stella believes that becoming too fixated on results in Formula 1 can easily lead to a loss of focus.
After Oscar Piastri’s impressive second place in Monaco, Stella revealed that McLaren’s latest developments have effectively addressed the team’s previous weakness in low-speed corners. However, Stella warns that McLaren is still not consistently able to surpass Red Bull, despite acknowledging that the gap at the front has narrowed. When asked if McLaren can now compete for victory in every race, Stella responded by stating that they believe they can be contenders for podium finishes. From a competitiveness standpoint, there are several teams within a narrow range of lap times, separated only by a few tenths of a second. Factors such as the track layout and the performance of the driver can significantly influence the results, as demonstrated by Charles Leclerc’s exceptional performance in Monaco. The key for McLaren is to be as prepared as possible and maximize their package, thus determining the outcome of their efforts.
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