McLaren says it’s grateful Mercedes dominated the Las Vegas Grand Prix, as that prevented essential rival Ferrari from slashing an excessive amount of into its constructors’ championship lead.
On a weekend when Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri struggled to seek out tempo with their MCL38 vehicles, as McLaren proved to be the fourth quickest crew, there was a giant threat of seeing its benefit within the crew battle wiped away if Ferrari dominated.
Ultimately, with Mercedes locking out a 1-2, Ferrari may handle no higher than third and fourth – which meant the Prancing Horse solely lower the hole to McLaren by 12 factors. It means there may be now a 24-point hole between the 2 groups forward of the ultimate races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Talking concerning the more and more tight combat, McLaren boss Andrea Stella stated: “It is disappointing that we misplaced 12 factors within the championship.
“However on the similar time, contemplating how a lot we struggled this weekend, one way or the other, we actually should thank Mercedes for having carried out so sturdy and secured the P1, P2 place.
“In any other case, Ferrari would have been a good larger risk within the constructors’ championship.”
Whereas McLaren feels that the layouts of Qatar and Abu Dhabi ought to go well with its automobile higher, Stella reckons that the competitiveness of the highest squads this 12 months means it must be cautious about taking something with no consideration about how the ultimate races play out.
Andrea Stella, Group Principal, McLaren F1 Group
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures
“It is true, and I’ve stated it myself, that Qatar and Abu Dhabi needs to be territory that’s extra appropriate for the way in which we’ve designed our automobile,” he stated.
“However, on the similar time, I feel we have to be cautious that the extent of the highest groups in Formulation 1 in 2024 is unprecedented.
“I actually cannot bear in mind a season in Formulation 1 the place 4 groups have been working at such a excessive stage, not solely as a result of they’re in situation to win, however they’re in situation to dominate – like Mercedes did right here – with faultless weekends.
“This implies, for me, we go to Qatar considering that the automobile might carry out nicely, but when we expect that that is a straightforward journey, we will likely be hit by the truth.”
McLaren struggles extra in low-speed corners, which suggests this weekend’s quick Losail venue ought to in concept be a a lot better stomping floor – because it proved final 12 months when Piastri gained the dash race.
However Stella thinks that the margins are so tight that any of the highest 4 groups may come out on high – which may swing the constructors’ battle vastly.
“We go there understanding that we have to maximize the potential of the automobile,” he stated. “If we try this, then definitely from a monitor format standpoint the automobile ought to spend numerous time the place it has been designed to carry out.
“However I might anticipate Ferrari, and positively even Pink Bull and Mercedes, to have gotten numerous info from this weekend as nicely, to be in situation to win in Qatar.
“So it is a very fascinating, way more than I might have favored, ultimate a part of the season. I all the time attempt to get issues to be boring, however that is not the case.”
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