Formula 1 is never short of surprises, and this past week has been no exception. While teams were expected to enjoy a quiet break between races, McLaren made headlines by announcing the return of Daniel Ricciardo to the grid. As the sport takes a breather before the Hungarian Grand Prix, it’s an opportune time to assess the progress of each team. Today, we turn our attention to McLaren, the darlings of Silverstone, to examine whether their recent upgrades have truly solved their problems or if challenges persist.
McLaren emerged as the big winners of the British Grand Prix with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri showcasing their upgraded MCL60s. After introducing a new package for Norris earlier in the season, the team saw significant progress as both drivers qualified in the top three. Norris secured a remarkable P2 finish in his home race, while Piastri crossed the line in a solid fourth position. With this impressive showing, McLaren leaped ahead of Alpine in the Constructors’ standings.
Despite McLaren’s success at Silverstone, it’s important to note that their recent developments have been a long time coming. Team Principal Andrea Stella had hinted throughout pre-season testing that they were behind in developing the MCL60. Stella assured everyone that upgrades were in the pipeline and would be introduced by the fourth race in Azerbaijan.
While McLaren did bring some improvements to Baku, Norris revealed in an earlier interview that these updates merely helped the car reach the level it should have been at the start of the season. The recent array of upgrades has undoubtedly yielded positive results, but they do not completely solve all of McLaren’s problems.
One key concern, as highlighted by Norris, is the MCL60’s performance in low-speed corners. He candidly admitted that the car struggles in this area and can be extremely difficult to drive. With upcoming tracks featuring slow-speed corners, such as the Hungaroring, McLaren must address this challenge promptly.
Telemetry data from the British Grand Prix supports Norris’s concerns. Comparing Norris’s fastest lap with that of Max Verstappen, it becomes apparent that while Norris excels in straight lines and high-speed corners, Verstappen consistently outperforms him in tighter, slow-speed corners.
Despite the progress made, McLaren still has work to do to ensure consistent performance across different circuits. As the team approaches the upcoming challenges, particularly the Hungaroring, finding a solution to their struggles in slow-speed corners will be crucial. While fans celebrate McLaren’s recent achievements, the team remains focused on overcoming the remaining obstacles to secure their position among the F1 elites.
McLaren’s upgrades have undoubtedly elevated their performance and placed them in a favorable position in the championship standings. However, the team must acknowledge that there are still challenges to address, particularly in slow-speed corners. As they head into the next set of races, McLaren’s ability to find solutions to their remaining issues will be essential in solidifying their success.
The post “McLaren’s Upgrades: A Step in the Right Direction, but Challenges Remain” first appeared on the European News Global.
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