Ross Brawn reckons McLaren are ‘knocking on the door’ as Red Bull’s dominance seems to have some cracks

Ross Brawn, former managing director of the iconic Brawn GP team, recently commented on the challenge that McLaren are putting up against Red Bull.

Ross Brawn reckons McLaren are ‘knocking on the door’ as Red Bull’s dominance seems to have some cracks

Ross Brawn (via imago)

McLaren’s 2023 season initially faced challenges, amassing only 17 points in the first six Grand Prix weekends and holding P6 in the constructor’s championship after the Canadian Grand Prix. However, after the mid-summer break, the papaya army orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, securing 9 podiums and increasing their tally to 282 points. With their impressive performance, questions arise about whether Red Bull should be concerned about McLaren while looking at the 2024 season.

The Former Brawn GP boss Ross Brawn answered this very question while speaking to TalkSport. Brawn seemed optimistic in the comments about McLaren’s chances to construct a considerable challenge against Red Bull. 

Although they (Red Bull) are dominating at the moment, you will see it over time. We are seeing few signs. I mean McLaren with Lando Norris and occasionally with Oscar Piastri. They are knocking on the door.

Lando Norris has claimed 7 podiums this season for McLaren while the rookie Oscar Piastri managed to step on the Podium twice.

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The two youngsters have together claimed 9 podiums for the Papaya Army in 2023 and they only appear to get better as the season comes to a close. Norris, however, has finished runners-up on 6 different occasions and has yet to claim his first race victory in Formula 1. Many, like Brawn, anticipate the young Briton’s first Grand Prix win while others envision it to be the beginning of McLaren’s fight against the current Goliath of Formula 1 – the raging Red Bulls.

Lando Norris reveals the reason behind his lack of a win in Formula 1

Despite consistently strong performances and multiple second-place (6) finishes post-summer break, Lando Norris has yet to secure his elusive first Formula 1 race win. The young driver recently completed 100 Grand Prix Starts at this year’s US Grand Prix. Reflecting on his 100th Grand Prix start, Norris shed light on his pursuit, acknowledging the contrast in his career circumstances compared to drivers like Lewis Hamilton.

Lando Norris (via imago)
Lando Norris (via Imago)

Norris emphasized the crucial role of context in his journey, noting the absence of a race-winning car in his career. Norris compared his fate to Hamilton’s stellar debut at the McLaren Garage back in 2007 in his comments. 

I’ve done five years already not being able to win a race because I’ve just not had the car to do so. Compared to other people, you know, they’re in different situations – Lewis came into McLaren when they were winning races. So if anyone asks me, ‘are you trying to do what Lewis did?’ I’d go ‘no,’ because you can’t – it’s just not the same.

While maintaining his determination to clinch his maiden Grand Prix victory, Norris highlighted the importance of enhancing his overall racecraft. He claimed that his aspirations extend beyond individual achievements, targeting both race wins and championships. Norris’s rise this year from being a midfield driver to becoming a consistent podium finisher has sparked even more anticipation, for his first win, from his fans. Only time can tell how long it will be before Norris can lay claim on the top step of the podium.