Andrea Stella breaks down the ‘fundamental factor’ behind McLaren’s 2023 rise

McLaren was able to clinch fourth place away from Aston Martin in 2023.

Andrea Stella breaks down the ‘fundamental factor’ behind McLaren’s 2023 rise

Andrea Stella and Lando Norris (Credits: Planet F1)

The McLaren Formula 1 team had a rollercoaster of a ride during the 2023 F1 season. From languishing in the lower half of the standings at the start of the campaign to ending up in fourth place at the end, they had quite a campaign. Its team principal, Andrea Stella feels the technical restructuring helped the team in making a big leap.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were seen struggling behind the wheel of the MCL60 during the early part of this year, but, by the end of the first leg and the start of the second, things started falling into place. As a result, they managed to get the better of Aston Martin in the Constructors Championship.

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Andrea Stella was massively credited for the team’s success this year and while talking about where the season changed for them, he made it clear as reported by Motorsport, that it was the technical restructuring that proved to be the key factor for their impressive performance after the early season slump.

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The technical restructuring was a fundamental factor. The restructuring itself includes people who haven't really started yet. It was essential in the short term, to restructure the aerodynamic department, putting Peter Prodromou in charge, supporting Giuseppe Pesce, who have been absolutely decisive in marking the new direction of the car's design from an aerodynamic point of view.

McLaren will try to break into the top three in 2024

While McLaren made a strong comeback during the 2023 F1 season, they will eye to hit the ground running straightaway during next year’s campaign. Andrea Stella and Co. would not want a repeat of how the initial few rounds of this year’s campaign panned out for them.

McLaren (Credits: Top Gear)
McLaren (Credits: Top Gear)

The papaya-colored team has a rich history at the pinnacle of motor racing, but since 2008, they have not been able to produce a Championship-worthy car. Moreover, they have found themselves in the midfield pack for most of the years that have gone by since their 08 triumph.

The McLaren F1 team has world-class drivers in the form of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and all they need to do is to give them a title-worthy car in the upcoming years. The duo has enough skills to make things work and thus, the onus is really on Andrea Stella and his team to deliver.

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