The McLaren Formula 1 driver, Lando Norris, quickly admitted that he lost the Spanish Grand Prix to Max Verstappen and Red Bull. Was Norris right to blame himself? Where did he make the crucial mistake? And what does this mean for the rest of the 2024 season? Here is our experts’ analysis.
If Norris had just stayed behind Verstappen at the start of the race, the result would have been very different, despite his less-than-perfect start. However, it was the presence of George Russell running between Verstappen and the rest of the pack in the first stint that determined the outcome of the race. Russell didn’t have the speed to challenge the leaders, but he was fast enough to make overtaking difficult for Norris. This allowed Verstappen to control his pace once he established a small advantage, giving him the edge over Norris and McLaren in the latter stages of the race. Russell’s second place created the false impression that Verstappen and Red Bull had a comfortable advantage on a conventional track.
The difference between Verstappen and Norris was only 2.219 seconds on Sunday, and part of that can be attributed to Norris’ battle for second place with Russell in the second stint. While McLaren couldn’t control the actions of Norris’ rivals on the track, they could control the time lost during pit stops. Unfortunately, McLaren’s pit stops were not as fast as Verstappen’s. Norris lost valuable time during his pit stops, with Verstappen consistently gaining an advantage. These small time differences could have put Norris in Verstappen’s DRS zone and given him a better chance of victory if McLaren had executed the pit stops more efficiently.
A Red Bull conquered 29 points on Sunday, slightly increasing their lead in the constructors’ championship. Although they may not be as dominant on the track as they used to be, Red Bull still has a clear advantage in the pits. This race further highlighted Verstappen’s exceptional skill and the level at which he operates. To beat him in races like the Spanish GP, one must be nearly flawless. Verstappen wasted no time taking advantage of Norris’ slow start and quickly overtaking George Russell. This allowed Verstappen to control the race, manage his tires, and accelerate when needed. Although he is not without errors, they are rare, showcasing his exceptional talent.
Considering McLaren’s overall progress, whether Norris finishes first or second should not matter much in the grand scheme of things. The MCL60 is now a strong and complete car, capable of challenging for the championship title. McLaren’s advancements during this period of F1 regulations have been remarkable, even with the expected convergence among teams. They have the momentum and a talented team, despite Oscar Piastri’s disappointing performance in this race. However, McLaren is currently too far behind in both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings to have a real chance this year. Their best opportunity to capitalize on their development will be next year.
While it is not the place to judge the timing of the switch to the 2026 F1 regulations, from McLaren’s perspective, they would gladly accept another year or two of the current rules based on the current evidence. Being a customer of Mercedes could be beneficial in 2026 and potentially put them ahead of Red Bull with their new engine. The team recognizes the positive impact of the current regulations and would welcome the opportunity to continue their progress.
© 2024
Sports fans are eagerly awaiting the start of this year’s football season. With much anticipation, supporters are waiting to see their favorite teams in action and cheer for exciting victories. And to make fans even more excited, several important signings were made during the transfer window.
One of the highlights is the arrival of player X to team Y. With his skill and talent with the ball at his feet, X promises to be a key player for the team’s success this season. His signing has generated a great deal of buzz among fans and the sports press, who are already speculating about the impact he will have on the team’s performance.
In addition, team Y’s coach also reinforced the defense by bringing in player Z. With his experience and leadership, Z promises to bring more security to the defensive sector and help the team achieve positive results. Z’s signing was praised by the specialized press, who see him as a great reinforcement for the team.
Another novelty is the arrival of coach W to team Y. With a successful track record at other clubs, W brings new tactical ideas and a modern approach to the game. His signing was received with enthusiasm by fans, who hope to see an improvement in the team’s performance under W’s command.
With all these changes, the anticipation for the start of the season only grows. Fans are eager to see how the new players and the new coach will adapt to the team and how this will influence the results on the field. It will be an exciting season full of surprises for football fans.
