McLaren started the 2024 season in an intense battle with Aston Martin and Mercedes, but in the first few opening rounds, Ferrari seemed to be ahead of them. Subsequently, to close this gap with their arch-rivals, the Woking-based squad has decided to introduce upgrades in Miami GP and reckons this would make noticeable improvements in MCL60.
McLaren for the past two seasons has been stuck on a cycle of starting the season with a slow car which ramps up in pace with upgrades mid-way through the season. To improve upon this and mount a bid for second place in the championship, the English team is introducing upgrades in Miami. Team principal Andrea Stella seemed optimistic that the upgrades would propel the MCL60 up the field.
This upgrade will not be as big as the tool that we delivered last year in Austria and Singapore but it should be a decent step. It should be noticeable. I can’t say much more than that because otherwise, we talk about numbers that we'd like to keep confidential. But let's say not as big, probably as Austria in Singapore, but noticeable if things correlate with our expectation with the wind tunnel numbers, for instance, and with the computer simulation. Andrea Stella said via RacingNews365.
The Italian was cautiously optimistic as he claimed the upgrade package to be not as big as last year’s Austria and Singapore one but he was convinced that it was a step in the right direction and bring noticeable improvements to the MCL60. Moreover, this may help change Lando Norris‘ view on the team and provide both the Brit and Oscar Piastri an opportunity to snatch their maiden win soon.
Zak Brown deemed Andrea Stella responsible for McLaren’s revival
The 53-year-old has had a long career in F1 and joined the English team along with Fernando Alonso in 2015. Stella then took up operational responsibility and rose through the ranks. When Andreas Seidl left the team for Sauber, this created an opportunity for him and he grabbed it with both hands, which McLaren would not be regretting due to the recent run of results.
Witnessing such progress, Zak Brown was content with his decision. The American claimed that it was due to Stella that the team had been able to make such progress. Furthermore, he stated that the Italian is a leader figure in the team, and his decisions for restructuring have brought major clarity within its operations.
The difference was Andrea Stella. He’s the leader of the team. He’s an awesome leader, he brought real clarity, did some restructuring, led by example and ultimately the people turned it around. Zak Brown said in a YouTube video with Drive to Wynn.
Despite the positive attitude within McLaren, other teams would be bringing their upgrade packages to either Miami or Imola which could nullify their advantage altogether. However, the team is adamant that they are a strong challenger to the prancing horses as seen in China, so the second place in the constructors is up for grabs for anyone.
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