McLaren caused the biggest surprise of 2023 by revamping its car to move from mid-pack to the front of the grid, claiming nine podiums from the Silverstone round in July to finish fourth in the constructors’ standings.
Although they have yet to reach the same heights as when they were on occasions the second fastest team on the grid, McLaren have cemented their place in the chasing group behind the dominant Red Bull team.
He currently sits third, ahead of Mercedes in the pecking order, but has also seen Ferrari make huge strides in terms of race performance, leaving the Scuderia a step ahead for now.
MORE: Mercedes’ F1 breakthroughs made in Japan – and what’s next
Noting a “strong trajectory” at the Woking factory, the Stella team principal hopes his team can once again assert themselves in the “race for improvement” as they aim to outperform their peers.
When asked if the ongoing developments would be enough to catch up with Ferrari, Stella replied: “It is becoming a race for upgrades and a single stage of upgrades will not be enough, because [Ferrari] will also be upgraded.
“But last year we were able to outperform our competitors, in a season where we achieved more lap times than our competitors. So for us, that remains the goal.”
“As long as we see that what we plan to bring to the track comes to fruition, then we’re happy because we know we’re on our trajectory, which we think is a solid trajectory.”
Stella said maintaining third place would be a “good result” for McLaren, but that doesn’t mean it won’t try to catch Ferrari if the opportunity presents itself.
Andrea Stella, Team Principal, McLaren F1 Team, speaks to fans
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
“I think looking at the facts, looking at the numbers, if we could maintain third position in the championship, just by making McLaren the third best car, that would be a good result for our team,” he said. declared.
“At the same time, there are certain circuits where we look like we can compete with Ferrari. So we say: ‘Why not?’
“But in all honesty, in Formula 1 it’s not about wishing ‘I wish [to be in such position]’, you just push as hard as you can.
“You just try to develop your car as much as possible, maximize the race weekends as much as possible, and then you try to see at the end where you are.
“After Miami, when we present certain developments, we will have more information to see what we can compete on.”
McLaren caused the biggest surprise of 2023 by revamping its car to move from mid-pack to the front of the grid, claiming nine podiums from the Silverstone round in July to finish fourth in the constructors’ standings.
Although they have yet to reach the same heights as when they were on occasions the second fastest team on the grid, McLaren have cemented their place in the chasing group behind the dominant Red Bull team.
He currently sits third, ahead of Mercedes in the pecking order, but has also seen Ferrari make huge strides in terms of race performance, leaving the Scuderia a step ahead for now.
MORE: Mercedes’ F1 breakthroughs made in Japan – and what’s next
Noting a “strong trajectory” at the Woking factory, the Stella team principal hopes his team can once again assert themselves in the “race for improvement” as they aim to outperform their peers.
When asked if the ongoing developments would be enough to catch up with Ferrari, Stella replied: “It is becoming a race for upgrades and a single stage of upgrades will not be enough, because [Ferrari] will also be upgraded.
“But last year we were able to outperform our competitors, in a season where we achieved more lap times than our competitors. So for us, that remains the goal.”
“As long as we see that what we plan to bring to the track comes to fruition, then we’re happy because we know we’re on our trajectory, which we think is a solid trajectory.”
Stella said maintaining third place would be a “good result” for McLaren, but that doesn’t mean it won’t try to catch Ferrari if the opportunity presents itself.
Andrea Stella, Team Principal, McLaren F1 Team, speaks to fans
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
“I think looking at the facts, looking at the numbers, if we could maintain third position in the championship, just by making McLaren the third best car, that would be a good result for our team,” he said. declared.
“At the same time, there are certain circuits where we look like we can compete with Ferrari. So we say: ‘Why not?’
“But in all honesty, in Formula 1 it’s not about wishing ‘I wish [to be in such position]’, you just push as hard as you can.
“You just try to develop your car as much as possible, maximize the race weekends as much as possible, and then you try to see at the end where you are.
“After Miami, when we present certain developments, we will have more information to see what we can compete on.”