McLaren planning to ‘out develop’ F1 rivals in order to move up in the 2024 pecking order

McLaren is currently the third fastest team on the 2024 F1 grid.

McLaren planning to ‘out develop’ F1 rivals in order to move up in the 2024 pecking order

Andrea Stella (via IMAGO)

McLaren left everyone astonished during the second half of last season, as they got podiums and were able to bring themselves to fourth place in the standings for the constructors championship. The team had major upgrades during the second half of 2023, which helped them achieve those results. The Woking-based team plans on doing the same this year as well. 

At Miami, McLaren will introduce its first update package but it probably won’t be enough to close the gap to the lights of Ferrari and Red Bull. The main pace flaw in the MCL38 was discovered during the Suzuka race. They will undoubtedly benefit from the first update package in terms of pace, and the team principal is optimistic about it. Andrea Stella believes that this season, they will follow their last year’s footsteps to outperform rivals who will also have the upgrades throughout the year.

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McLaren is currently third in the Constructors Championship.

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It becomes a race of upgrades and one step of upgrades won't be enough, because [Ferrari] will also upgrade. But last year we were able to outdevelop our competitors, in a season we brought more laptime than competitors. So for us, this remains the objective.
Andrea Stella told: motorsport

Ferrari is the second-fastest team on the grid behind the mighty Red Bull. In McLaren’s case, things are on an upward trajectory but if they are to keep the pressure on the teams ahead of them, they will be required to come up with regular upgrades. This is one area in which Stella feels the papaya outfit can get the better of Ferrari and Red Bull.

McLaren won’t leave the opportunity to catch Ferrari 

As mentioned earlier, the first set of updates for McLaren will arrive in Miami. The Woking-based team has scored points in every race so far and has looked quite strong.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris (Via: Imago)

While retaining their current third place, McLaren plans on catching up with the Maranello-based outfit, if the opportunity presents itself. 

I think looking at the facts, looking at the numbers, if we could retain third position in the championship, just establishing McLaren as the third best car, that will be a strong result for our team. At the same time, there are some circuits in which we look like we can compete with Ferrari. So then we say: 'Why not?
Andrea Stella via: motorsport

Stellal believes the 2024 advancements will allow the MCL38 to adjust more effectively to any track, eliminating the need to worry about the circuit working in its favor. In four races, McLaren has amassed twice as many points as Mercedes, and their advantage in the constructors’ championship could be reinforced by the development plan they will implement in the near future. 

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