McLaren’s impressive performance at the British Grand Prix has sparked genuine optimism within the team. Team principal Andrea Stella stressed that it was important to manage expectations and that the true test of their progress would come at different circuits under less favorable conditions. However, there is no denying the sense of excitement at McLaren, as the team has made significant strides forward since the launch of its car earlier this year.
When McLaren unveiled its car in February, it was painfully aware of its missed performance targets during the winter. Aston Martin’s strong start to the season only added to their frustration, as it showed that bridging the gap between the midfield and the front runners was indeed possible. But after a tumultuous few months, including the departure of technical director James Key, McLaren seems to have found its stride.
The recent upgrades introduced by McLaren have undoubtedly contributed to their success at Silverstone. The team focused on improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the car, particularly in high-speed corners. The changes made to the floor and the sidepods have given the car a similar look to the championship-leading Red Bull. Furthermore, Silverstone’s layout with its high-speed corners played to McLaren’s strengths. However, the team acknowledges that their performance might have been aided by the cool conditions and the unique characteristics of the circuit.
Lando Norris, who has been instrumental in McLaren’s recent success, believes that their performance at Silverstone might have been somewhat flattering. While they excelled in high-speed corners, the car struggles in slow-speed corners. Norris remains realistic about the team’s progress and recognizes that there is still a long way to go before they can consistently challenge teams like Mercedes and Red Bull.
Next up for McLaren is the Hungarian Grand Prix, which will provide an opportunity to assess their progress on a different type of circuit. Stella sees this race as a reality check, as the Hungaroring features predominantly medium- and low-speed corners. Additionally, the team will introduce the final part of their update package aimed at resolving the tire overheating issues that have plagued them this season.
While Red Bull’s dominance at the front of the grid seems unchallenged, the battle for second place has seen five different drivers finish in that position in the past six races. McLaren’s recent performances have firmly placed them in the mix to compete against teams like Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Ferrari. The tight competition in Formula 1 this year means that McLaren will have to continue to make progress if they want to consistently secure podium finishes.
![[English - 100% Original] - Where Did Poppy Go? : A Story about Lo by Gail Silver Amanda Quartey (US edition, hardcover)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
