McLaren have made considerable strides in terms of improving their MCL60 package over the course of the 2023 season. Despite tangible results on track, Lando Norris believes that the best shot at victory for the Woking-based team is already in their rear-view mirrors, per Motorsport.com.
The team started the 2023 season on the back foot. Whilst the Papaya team struggled, Max Verstappen and Red Bull seemingly started running away with all the accolades. That being said, with the British GP this year, the team have brought some really meaningful upgrades to the car that have made them arguably the 2nd fastest car on the grid, as things stand.
🎙️| oscar features on the post sprint shootout show alongside lando norris.
the two talk about how they are feeling at austin compared to qatar, oscar mentioning that “there are a few jumps in the high speed that doesn’t help either” 😅🏎️
we hope they can pull it back today! 🧡 pic.twitter.com/gfUX9xjY7x
— Piastri Boos 🎃 (@PiastriNews) October 22, 2023
The team have amassed a sum total of 8 podiums between their two drivers this season. It is no secret that the car has some latent pace. But Norris, despite the steps taken forwards, has written their season off in terms of getting his maiden win.
Lando Norris rues missed Suzuka and Qatar opportunities
Norris was quoted by Motorsport.com as saying, “I don’t want to say no, I don’t say like never. I think there’s no super high speed, Suzuka-style, Qatar-style circuits left which is where we’re strong. I don’t think they’re any good ones for us coming up. I think our best have gone,” when revealing if he felt a win was soon on the cards.
Norris isn’t throwing words up in the air. The MCL60 has been notorious for its poor performance in the lower speed corners. Hence, tracks like Qatar and Japan with fast flowing turns actually benefits their pace.
lando on moving on from qatar: “i feel like there was a lot of missed opportunities from my side, but at the same time there has been plenty of other races where i’ve not made mistakes and i feel like i’ve performed very well […] i was frustrated at the time i’ve moved on” pic.twitter.com/UgzGOfedoK
— Ray 🏎️ (@ln4norris) October 19, 2023
Qatar is probably one of those races that Norris will always go on to regret. By his own admission, he felt as though he was faster than Max Verstappen. Naturally, missing out on pole and the win has got Norris singing the blues.
Bright 2024 future for McLaren
Only the 2024 season can confirm this, but McLaren seem to be on the right developmental trajectory. With a bespoke Wind Tunnel also now at their disposal, the Woking-based team have no excuses left but to fight for wins next season.
Red Bull are still a class apart in terms of both Max Verstappen and his RB19. But McLaren can thrown a spanner in the works with their current upward trend. They are the 2nd strongest team on the grid and have seemingly closed the gap to the Bulls.
Hence, it would not come as a surprise that come 2024, McLaren and Red Bull may actually be locked into an intense championship battle.
