“In terms of development, we put in the same ingredients that allowed us to improve the car during last season. If we look at the aerodynamics, the suspensions, the interactions with the tires, we have been able to take steps forward,” explained the Italian during a press point.
“Will this be enough to challenge for podiums? We will see that on the track. But it will also depend on the progress of our competitors because we expect all teams to improve their cars,” added the manager, who is starting his second season at the head of McLaren.
In 2023, the English team had a very complicated start to the season, scoring only 17 points in the first eight rounds. But the developments made from the Austrian GP at the beginning of July, then in Singapore in September, allowed the team based in Woking (England) to raise the bar in spectacular fashion and finish fourth in the constructors’ standings with 302 points. .
The Briton Lando Norris had indeed won six second places and one third place, while the Australian rookie Oscar Piastri had added two podiums and a victory during the sprint in Qatar.
“Last season, the development of the car was not consistent and the data told us that we could have problems. There were objective elements which encouraged us to be cautious. This year, the development is more linear and what I see and what we are doing is encouraging. We seem to be in a much better position,” explained Andrea Stella.
McLaren presented the 2024 livery of its single-seater on Tuesday, which keeps its papaya color and resembles that of last season. The car will be revealed in February.
