Mercedes achieved its first top-three position of the season in challenging circumstances at the Canadian GP. The team’s performance on the grid was analyzed by the McLaren team director, who noted that Mercedes has finally started to fully utilize the potential of its W15 car.
Mercedes demonstrated a significant improvement in Montreal, securing pole position for the first time this season. Despite a difficult start to the year, the team managed to finish in third and fourth place at the Canadian GP, impressing other teams in the process.
Andrea Stella highlighted Mercedes’ consistently fast lap times in qualifying and practice sessions since the Monaco GP, suggesting that they have the potential to regain their position as the dominant force in Formula 1. Stella also acknowledged McLaren’s awareness of Mercedes’ performance improvements over time.
Although McLaren currently has a slight advantage over Mercedes in terms of speed, the race in Montreal revealed that the Brackley-based team has the ability to surpass its rivals. Both teams are now competing for higher points and more podiums, setting the stage for an exciting battle in the world of Formula 1.
McLaren announced its plans to introduce upgrades for the upcoming race in Barcelona, aiming to challenge teams like Red Bull and Ferrari. Although McLaren has performed well this season, they still lack the necessary speed to keep up with the leading teams in the championship.
Andrea Stella acknowledged McLaren’s competitiveness but admitted that they have struggled to overcome Red Bull and Ferrari purely based on speed. To have a real chance in the championship, Stella emphasized the need for McLaren to improve its speed and approach in the upcoming races.
In Montreal, McLaren achieved a second and a fifth place, which is commendable considering the challenging conditions they faced during the Canadian GP. With a total of 212 points, McLaren made significant progress compared to their previous season. However, they are still behind the championship leaders, Red Bull, by a considerable difference of 89 points, as Red Bull consistently outperformed McLaren throughout the season.